If the premise of online dating is so simple, why are we all so miserable? What can be done to upgrade the experience? This technology is supposed to connect us, yet it's failing us. Ask someone about their online dating adventures, and you are almost certain to be told a tale of loneliness, perplexing oddities, communication misconnects and doubled-over laughter. Join seasoned online dater, Sam, and neophyte, Evangeline, weekly to commiserate over the ups and downs of this techno-social phenomenon. Buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Sam and Evangeline discuss the perennial question that literally no woman has ever asked: "Is it possible for a pickup line to be too forward?" The answer is -- yes. And yet... apparently they still succeed sometimes. Evangeline regrets being a terrible feminist in the heat of the moment and Sam recounts how she uncharacteristically showed up for a date dressed to unimpress.
Is chemistry between two people really that rare, or do we just think it's rare? Sam and Evangeline give it a breakdown. Also, circle j's, bulk condom orders and whatever else.
Sam and Evangeline reflect on the value of mindfulness in dating, getting hit on out of the blue and the growing popularity of this podcast. Also, Evangeline learns of Burt Reynolds' recent passing. Stick around, it could get weird. No promises and no backsies.
There's a whole world of declarative terms new online daters need to get familiar with in order to understand some profiles. Is it in poor form to share some of this info openly in a dating profile? Are the people who own those profiles aware how many strangers are seeing them? And who, exactly, wants to see Mitch McConnell in a speedo? Sam and Evangeline ponder these and other mysteries of the universe.
The Thanksgiving Leftovers Special is pulled from two previous recordings that we couldn't find the right spot for... until now. This week looks at how to go down in style -- and by "down" we mean like the Hindenburg. We also get into the skill of sending opening texts to a match that are more likely to lead to engagement. These are skills anyone can learn! Buckle up, and maybe wear a helmet.
What do power grids, topless beaches in France and graceful exits have to do with one another? Basically nothing, except they're all in this episode. Sam and Evangeline discuss the etiquette of stopping communications with people while still in the earliest stages of only texting via a dating app, or very early dating.
Sam and Evangeline discuss some key things Evangeline has learned in this process, specifically about critical aspects to setting up a successful profile. They also touch on some of the unexpected benefits of throwing yourself to the wolves of online dating, and how people might define "success" in online dating.
Who knew that even in your forties you'd be asking your friends, “Does he ‘like me' like me, or just ‘like me?'” Ambiguity abounds, as does a keenly awkward sense of social overexposure.
(trigger warning... there's a trigger warning ahead) Sam and Evangeline start out discussing (trigger warning - grossness) repulsive eating sounds and an aversion to holes (if you don't like this, skip to about 5 minutes in). Then they get down to the knuckle-cracking business of discussing hitting the bottom of the Bumble barrel. Sam recalls the saddest date she ever had... where the man cried throughout (awkward)... and then the discussion gets... real, lovely and heartfelt. There's surfing, lonesome hearts, elevator pitches, and more.
"Start the day with the end in mind..." This week, Sam and Evangeline discuss the finer points of finery, as well as that one sweater Sam thinks Evangeline should torch.
Dating apps are big business. While they can be great tools to meet new people, they can also cause harm. It's important to be mindful that they are structured, first and foremost, to make money. This means that they don't always have the success of the end-user in mind. In fact…. they may even work against that.
Sam and Evangeline break down the need for a "focus" feature in online dating apps, awkward Zoom meeting endings, putting your best foot forward when meeting for a date, questioning what a date actually is.... and one heck of a date disaster from Sam's personal archives.
Novice online dater Evangeline reports back that experienced online dater Sam's recent texting tips have been HIGHLY effective. Sam congratulates Evangeline on "leveling up" to being an actual dater, since she went on a second date with someone, but Evangeline assures Sam she's still quite lost in this world. Also, ventriloquists, serenades, Applebee's, chumming the water and lots of laughter. So. Much. Laughter. Oh, also, ear muffs for kids. F-bombs abound. Better yet... the episode IS marked "explicit." Maybe just don't have them listen along?
Part Two of Two: The conversation continues about staying safe in online dating. Experienced online dater, Sam, wises up naive Evangeline about some of the completely avoidable dangerous situations she has put herself into. Sam shares some of her policies and best practices, as well as basic safety tips. Finally, Sam convinces Evangeline to share a mortifying date story. Fun for all!
Part One of Two: This week on Bumbling Idiots, veteran online dater, Sam, walks neophyte Evangeline through some of the obvious pitfalls and dangers women can encounter. They also discuss some of the more blunt points of texting and red flags men may be inadvertently raising that cause women to back off in the match process. Evangeline ponders at the lack of humanity in the communications of online dating, while Sam praises the efficiency.
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