Playing Games & Telling Truths: The How Much is Too Much of Honesty in Online Dating
Let’s face it, we all twist the truth a little. That last job, you probably didn’t “direct corporate management strategic initiatives,” but rather did some filing and brought your boss his decaf soy latte (extra foam) each morning.
The same goes for online dating. We want to present ourselves as possible romantic interests, not potential people of interest to local authorities. So we spruce things up a bit. A thoughtful profile picture here, an enticing bio there.
But the million-dollar question is how much honesty in online dating is too much?
The Bind of Honesty in Online Dating – What’s Your Reality?
Imagine this scenario. You’re chatting with someone on an app and mention that your favorite pastime is cooking French cuisine at 3AM while belting out Celine Dion songs. Their reaction? An awkward silence followed by a swift end to the conversation.
Fast forward a few weeks later when you meet someone new online who shares that exact same hobby! A coincidence? Maybe…or maybe they’re over-exaggerating their nocturnal gourmet endeavors just like you did before—quite a pickle!
So let’s break this down—how honest should we be about:
Hobbies and Interests
Claims such as being ‘an avid reader’ or ‘fitness enthusiast’ often pop up on profiles as people try to amp up their appeal game. But if the last thing you read was a takeaway menu and your idea of daily exercise involves walking from your bed to your fridge—you see where I’m going with this…
While going from ‘a couch potato’ to ‘an athlete who gets high running marathons’ might seem tempting when creating an engaging dating profile, remember—nothing crashes quicker than houses built on lies!
Looks
We’ve got these amazing beautifying apps these days. A swipe here, a pinch there and voila – you’re Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson’s look-alike! But, let’s be real – when it comes to how much honesty is too much in online dating, your appearance should be as truthful as it gets.
Why? Well, imagine showing up to meet ‘The Rock’ only to find a softer version who looks like he hasn’t seen the inside of a gym since high school!
Occupation
You have every right to gloat if you’re ‘Mark Zuckerberg’s third cousin twice removed.’ But if your employment situation is more along the lines of ‘aspiring entrepreneur still figuring out what entrepreneurship means’ then that needs some honest addressing too.
Remember folks, revealing that you aren’t exactly raking in six figures right off the bat might hurt your ego a smidge but far less than having someone lose interest over false pretenses!
Honesty In Online Dating: How Much Is Too Much?
This brings us back full circle – how much honesty in online dating is too much?
Being open about certain things (like being marriage-minded or wanting kids someday) can save everyone time and heartbreak down the road. However, sharing about recent breakups or being very vocal about personal issues from get-go might not always serve well.
How do we strike this delicate balance of being authentic without overselling ourselves or underselling our lives? Here’s my two cents:
Stay True To Yourself
Being genuine goes a long way – not just online but offline too. Real people attract real people; remember that next time you find yourself tempted to ‘spice up’ your profile text!
Have Fun With It
Dating apps are meant for exploring connections—not pressure-cookers for perfect profiles! Upload those goofy photos. Write about those weird hobbies because there might just be someone out there who loves belting Celine Dion at 3AM too!
Remember, It’s Just a Glimpse
Your dating profile isn’t your autobiography. It’s just a sampler of what you are all about! People don’t need to know everything upfront – some secrets saved for later dates can keep the magic alive.
To sum it up, honesty in online dating is crucial but it’s equally important not to bare all at once. Sure, put your best self out there but let it be your real self. Keep the space for mystery and room for someone else’s curiosity about you.
Happy swiping folks…and remember – love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in that recognition.