To think...you once thought online dating was weird.
If you're single and actively dating, we're going to guess that you've probably tried a lot of unexpected things in the name of love. Think dating outside of your "type," going on blind dates, speed dating, and swiping left (and right) over and over and over again on Tinder—even after you swore to yourself that you wouldn't. But these methods don't compare to some new and crazy things people are doing to find the one. From relying on their pheromones to their social media accounts, you won't believe what women and men are doing to meet their matches.
The creators of the dating app Loveflutter recently hosted an in-person speed dating event that was...a little unconventional. The singles had to wear paper bags over their heads, with the intention of getting to know each other based on who they are and not what they look like. Daters write something unique about their personalities on the bag and are expected to judge each other based on that and a few minutes of conversation.
A new dating app called Glimpse uses nine of your Instagram pictures and basic information to connect you to compatible matches with the same interests and tastes. Who would have thought you could meet a guy based on your love for filtered sandwiches?!
Chemistry is important in any relationship, but Singldout.com took this idea even further and decided to let science do the job for you. Users are sent a DNA test where they spit in a tube, then send it back it to the company to ship it out to a lab.
They're testing for levels of serotonin and certain genes found in your immune system, which they claim to be major factors in the long-term potential of two people. Once you get your results back and fill out your online dating profile, you'll be able to browse potential matches and see if your genes are compatible. Kind of gives a whole new meaning to swapping spit while dating, huh?
Sick of the bar scene? You could always try out Pheromone Parties, which have reportedly become popular in London. It's basically speed dating—with a whole lot of sniffing. Pheromones are chemical factors that seep out of your skin when you sweat. Each person's unique scent offers clues about their genes, and some researchers believe that pheromones play an unconscious role in who we're attracted to. So obviously, Pheromone Parties happened. According to their site, guests are asked to sleep in a t-shirt for three nights to capture their "odor print," then bring it in a bag to the party. Each bag is assigned a number, and guests sniff out which one they like best, then talk to that person. Sounds...stinky.
This seems a little counterintuitive, but just in case you're looking for someone just like your last fling, you might want to try this option out. Match.com teamed up with a Los Angeles-based matchmaking service called Three Day Rule to match users with dates who resemble their exes. Talia Goldstein, the founder of Three Day Rule, told Mashable that clients tend to have a physical type, particularly in face structure. Using facial recognition technology, the dating site has users submit pictures of their exes, and then finds them dates that match the type they seem to prefer.
On VH1's newest reality show, Dating Naked, the couples meet for the first time in the buff. The goal is to be more open and honest, but we're guessing it's also incredibly awkward. But get this: One of the show's first contestants, Christina "Wee Wee" Porcelli, actually met her boyfriend on the show! And there's even a Dating Naked Wedding Special premiering in September (no word yet on which couple it is!). So maybe this show is on to something, but for now we advise you to stay clothed in public during your dates.
If you’ve ever had a missed connection with the man of your dreams, you could always ask social media to reunite you. TheNew York Daily News recently reported two different stories about couples who met but didn't exchange numbers, then later took to Twitter for help. First Emily Domesek (founder of P.S. I Made This) tweeted that she met her "future husband" while on board an American Airlines flight, but she didn't get his full name and hoped Twitter could play wingman (she eventually connected with him through a mutual acquaintance instead). Then a Canadian woman and Irish man met on a flight and clicked but never got to exchange numbers. This guy also asked everyone on Twitter to reunite him with the mystery woman, and once his story got out, one of her relatives heard about it and connected them. Okay, so it's not exactly a trend, but it goes to show that social media can be seriously handy when it comes to missed connections.