For context: got out of a 4-year relationship, friend said "stop moping, download the apps." I said fine. I ended up going on 12 first dates in 6 months. Most of them never got a second date. Two turned into short situationships. One I'm still seeing.
Here's what nobody tells you before you start:
1
I'll go first. A few years back I went on a date with a guy who seemed normal on Bumble. We agreed on a casual spot in town, he said he'd drive.
He picked me up, and 10 minutes into the drive he said, "Actually, my cousin just popped in and she's sitting at home alone, can we grab her?"
No, we could
Dinner and a movie is dead, and also you can't actually talk to someone at a movie. Here's what actually works for a first date in South Africa, budget edition:
The walk-and-coffee
Grab a coffee and walk the Company's Garden (CT), Greenside/Johannesburg Arts District (Joburg), or Golden Mile (Durban
Howzit all. After a friend asked me last week what dating apps are actually worth it around here, I figured I'd write up what I've seen and heard — full disclosure, I've used most of these on and off over the last couple of years, and I'm not affiliated with any of them.
The big general ones
Tinder