Are you better at dating now than you were as a teenager? The answer is no, not at all.
The future of dating is bright bleak.(via ThinkStock)
I always thought life would get better when I grew up. I'd be more mature, make better decisions, and be able to speak my mind. As a teenager, I remember dating being painfully difficult, and I couldn't wait to grow up and experience the sophisticated interactions of the Adult Dating World. Now that I'm (semi) all grown up, I've found that dating is exactly the same as it was when I was in 9th grade, back in 1999. Here is scientific proof based on extensive research completed inside my own brain.
Initial Contact
I like you, do you like me? Do you LIKE like me?
9th Grade: Ask your friends to ask his friends if he liked hanging out at the mall last week.
Today: Ask your friends to ask her friends if she liked meeting you at the party last week.
Non-Verbal Communication:
tEEnaGe DrEEmZ.(via Twitter)
9th Grade: That nervous feeling you get when the other person stops chatting suddenly, but AIM has informed you the user has entered text.
Today: You're filled with dread as you stare at three pulsing dots in iMessage.
Phone Calls:
Wait, how do I use this to make a call?
9th Grade: You're nervous to call because you're giddy with excitement.
Today: You're nervous to call because they'll assume you've been involved in some kind of emergency because nobody uses the phone anymore.
Chance Encounters:
Totally didn't know this was your locker.
9th Grade: You hope to run into her in the hall because you know exactly where every single one of her classes are.
Today: You hope to run into him on the street because your new favorite bar just happens to be in his neighborhood.
Past Relationships:
So. Many. Bikini. Selfies.
9th Grade: You compare yourself to his last girlfriend.
Today: You compare yourself to his last girlfriend's 2,000 Facebook photos.
One Night Stands:
Sorry, didn't know we were "official."
9th Grade: You made out behind the movie theater after seeing The Matrix and thought you might be dating but then you see her slow dancing with another guy at the spring formal.
Today: You slept together and thought you really made a connection but when you go to his birthday party he's holding hands with someone else.
Meeting the Parents:
9th Grade: Her parent's house smells weird and her dad doesn't like you.
Today: His parent's house smells weird and his mom doesn't like you.
Anniversaries/Special Occasions:
Please don't tell me you got flowers again.
9th Grade: You have no idea what give the other person.
Today: You have no idea what to give the other person.
Break-ups:
Uh yeah, we are over.(via Twitter)
9th Grade: You complain to your BFF about how much you want to end the relationship, followed by complaining to your BFF about how much you miss them once you break up.
Today: You complain to your therapist AND your BFF.
Post break-up:
I hope my profile pic communicates that I'm over you.(via Twitter)
9th Grade: You still have to see them in Spanish class.
Today: You run into them on Tinder.