Have you heard about the dating app Twine? You probably haven’t, because despite launching earlier this year it has yet to crack into the Top 50 dating apps.
Twine has been pitched as an alternative to the sea of dating apps out there. The main difference that sets Twine apart? You don’t see a photo of the person you are connecting with. In other words you are having a ‘virtual blind date’. Whilst the app has been hailed by some as revolutionary it’s been blasted by others who claim it’s for ugly people. Ouch.
The notion of a blind date is not a new one but over the years it has slowly disappeared. With readily available information at our finger tips about people and being able to see a mammoth selection of pictures via social media and professional networks it’s pretty rare that you won’t have seen a photo of the person you’re going on a date with. The first time I knew the Big C’s first name? I was straight on Google images!
If you’ve ever online dated how many times have you clicked on a profile with no photo? I’m guessing not many, if any! When there are thousands of people who have a shiny smiley picture there is too much other choice. What a shame though, that those people don’t get a look in because they don’t want to share a photo with the world. That’s life though, as unfair as it might sound.
Physical attraction has to be present for a relationship to develop, that’s pretty common knowledge. With that in mind many people will instantly dismiss Twine. But how much can you really tell from one or two photos? Let’s get real here and admit to the fact we all use our best pictures. The ones where we look awesome. Where we were having a good hair, good skin and great dress sense day. Why would we use any other?! Unfortunately the ‘real life’ us may not be as shiny and sparkly in real life. But, whilst the photos may not always be wholly representative of us on a day to day basis, they do give people a general impression of what we look like. Our body shape, hair, style, smile and most importantly eyes (ditch the sunnies!).
At my matchmaking company Mutual Attraction we always have a photo on our profiles. Normally one or two, with at least one being natural. We encourage clients to read the profile first (of course we don’t believe they actually do – straight to the photo!) and then to look at the photos. Our motto? You don’t have to think ‘wow’. You don’t have to think they look drop dead gorgeous. But you do have to think ‘they look nice, they could be someone I’m attracted to’. The problem with photos is that people expect to see their prince/princess charming. The Big C takes a terrible photo so that means had I been online dating I might not have met him if I had only focussed on his photos.
So, will Twine take off? Several of London’s leading introduction agencies who have been around for 30 years and more don’t use photographs on their profiles so that should be a sure enough sign that there are still people out there who are willing to go on a blind date. The question is…..would you?!