Dating apps are helping youngsters find partners, not just for marriage but for various purposes such as dating, long-term relationships, stand-ins, or casual gatherings. Experts like Shalini Singh, Shraddha Malik, and Manvi Taneja provide insights on this trend.
Excerpts:
Q. Shraddha, you have dealt a lot with relationships and of course your clients want to get married, but how are the people, how do they meet?
A. It’s a mixed bag. Some meet in a traditional arranged marriage backdrop, some at work, and some through dating apps. Dating apps have become popular among people. While some people meet through apps, others may have disastrous dates. The choice of where to meet and whom to connect with depends on personal vibe and compatibility.
Q. Shailni tell us a bit about your service ‘And we met’, what do you offer and how is it different from the other dating apps?
A. ‘And we met’ is a service for single Indians seeking a sustainable or long-term relationship, be it marriage, live-in, or companionship. The platform addresses exhaustion in finding a partner and imposter syndrome. The service focuses on ensuring people are real and offering offline events.
Q. In the world of technology, fake data and profiles are prevalent. How do you make sure the authenticity?
A. Users upload verification IDs that are not linked with the ban account, to verify their age, first and last names, and gender. We provide a background check service for potential matches. This ensures the accuracy of information provided.
Q. Are people now more comfortable with dating apps or prefer traditional methods?
A. Registering on a dating app without a background check is not a good idea. Most apps don’t provide a background check. Validating the background check and understanding the person’s earnings is crucial.
Q. Now relationships are not built around stereotypical notions of tall, dark and handsome and fair and lovely. But is that there in your normal matchmaking as well?
A. Everyone doesn’t get everything, and 70% to 80% of matches are compatible. Apps are a modernized version of traditional matchmaking, allowing users to meet people they like without pressure from parents. The app is not a revolutionary concept, but rather a normal stage in the dating process.
Q. We discussed advantages of arranged marriage where you can have thorough religion, caste checks. Do these things matter to people who register on online platforms?
A. In India, people have different choices when it comes to relationships. Religion and caste can be important, but, people on dating services often look beyond these, and background checks are always present. It’s important to be sensible and not jump into a relationship immediately. Instead, take a step back and get to know the person before making a decision. The process involves dating, becoming exclusive, and having conversations with others. Once exclusive, commit to being exclusive and consider commitments like marriage, living together, or starting a family.
Q. Have we now gone beyond stereotypical labels of divorced or single parents, or is that still an issue?
A. Apps and arranged setups allow users to share their status, such as separation, divorced, and such. Parents are also involved in the process, but it’s crucial to make decisions and meet potential partners. Background checks are present in both apps and arranged setups. It’s essential to be more in-depth on both platforms to ensure a smooth and honest process.
Q. Do you have an equal number of boys and girls? And do you have any age group that particularly prefers dating apps?
A. So interestingly, And We Met has more women than men because I think we ask for verification. So that’s where it is. And though we have people from 25 to 60 years of age, but for women it’s 28 to 38, and for men 30 to 40. And we are also noticing both women and men in their 40s and 50s are also coming up and looking for somebody compatible on And We Met.
