Captain Squid, 29

“Will you be my quarantine?”
 
How has dating been for you during the pandemic?
Surprisingly, pretty great! I’m getting serious with a girl I’ve been dating since last month (around three weeks into quarantine). She was the one and only girl I met during the pandemic and, assuming we don’t break up any time soon, will stay that way.
 
Has it been harder for you to find partners now that you can’t go outside?
Umm, not really. Like most millennials, I was used to meeting people online (e.g., apps like Tinder) long before quarantine. In the last year or so, I’d say most people I’ve dated were from Tinder rather than someone I met at a bar, club, event, etc.
 
Have you defied social distancing orders?
Kind of, I guess. Early on, I met a girl on Tinder, and we hit it off. We video called every day and got to know each other. I went to her place and now we’re “quarantining” together. Totally worth it. Many friends questioned my decision, but people shouldn’t be too quick to judge.
 
Do you feel you’re developing stronger emotional connections because of this?
Not really. Dating has been taking place on Line, Tinder, etc., long before quarantine, so we’ve been well-prepared. The biggest thing is obviously not being able to go on dates, so I guess it’s easier to forge a deeper emotional connection rather than jumping straight into sex.
 
 

Nisa, 25

 “If Covid-19 doesn’t take you out, can I?”
 
How has dating been for you during the pandemic?
Honestly, it’s been hard because you can’t go out to meet anyone. You can’t really [get to] like someone by just texting, “Hey, how are you? Where are you from?” It gets boring after a while, and you lose interest. There are phases where you’re lonely, too.
 
Has it been harder for you to find partners now that you can’t go outside?
Yes, very. I can’t really form a connection with someone by just texting or sending voice messages. You can’t really see their demeanor when you text someone. I think you have to meet someone to really forge a connection, so it’s important for me to meet in person. 
 
Do you feel you’re developing stronger emotional connections because of this?
For me, It’s like I’m forcing myself to be there with the person I’m texting, but it’s not there. After talking to each other for a while, you want to meet them, and you start to wonder, “What’s his laugh like? Is he a weirdo?” Some people are awkward as shit in real life.  
 
Will this influence the way you date post-Covid?
No, it won’t change. I would still rather go on a proper date and meet them in person instead of texting all the time.
 
 

Georgia, 23

“Will you stick with me during the quarantine?”
 
How has dating been for you during the pandemic?
Dating has always been quite challenging. Adding a deadly pandemic to it, now it’s nearly impossible, mainly because you don’t know when and how you are going to meet up.
 
Do you feel you’re developing stronger emotional connections because of this?
Yes, but still, there is only a slight chance (one out of 10 people) for you to find a real connection with someone on dating apps. In order for a relationship to work, you need to be connected emotionally and physically.  
 
Have you defied social distancing orders?
I’m aware of social distancing but when it comes to spending some quality time with my loved ones, I’m willing to bend the rules.
 
Tell us some juicy stories. How’s the sex life?
I stayed with my “not boyfriend” at his mom’s place for a while. One day, I was performing fellatio on him in the living room and his mom walked in on us.
 
How are you staying connected now that you can’t really Netflix and chill?
If that person makes me feel comfortable enough, I’d send some nudes to them, or even arrange some kind of a video chat situation to do some “activities” together.
 
 

Grace, 23

“F**k nudes, send me pics of your smile.”
 
How has dating been for you during the pandemic?
Tinder keeps me sane. I’m not looking for something serious right now and neither are my matches so I’m having a good time on the app.
 
Has it been harder for you to find partners now that you can’t go outside?
Dating has never been difficult for hot girls like us, ka.
 
Do you feel you’re developing stronger emotional connections because of this?
Yes, in theory. But I’m having a hard time connecting with people on an emotional level, because most of my matches are not good at making conversation and it’s tiring to be the one who keeps the conversation going.
 
Tell us some juicy stories. How’s the sex life?
I was working in a dorm and I got teamed up with this guy. We were cleaning the room together and I got turned on by him. One thing led to another, we ended up having sex in a closet.
 
How are you staying connected now that you can’t really Netflix and chill?
Sending nudes and sexting, of course. I’d do that via Snapchat. It’s safe in a way—you’ll get a notification when someone screenshots your photos and those photos are deleted right after being viewed.