Americans were enthralled with the recent Netflix reality series, Love is Blind, which featured a group of hopeful singles trying to find the loves of their lives. Unlike most reality dating shows, the singles dated each other in “The Pods,” where they were separated by a thin wall and couldn’t see the face of the person they were talking to. While at the time the show was filmed, this was an excited and foreign concept, with the current COVID-19 crisis this type of dating is going to be the new normal. Pod dating allows people to continue dating around even when most public places are closed. It also eliminates looks from the equation, which is helpful as no one can go to the salon to get their nails, hair, or eyebrows done. With the recent government decision to build pod dating sites in closed schools around the country, here are some tips on how to get a real connection out of your quarantined dating experience.
- Cry. There doesn’t need to be a reason, just do it. As long as your love interest can hear you sniffling through the wall, you know you’re doing it right. Crying shows how emotionally invested you are in your new relationship. Even if the other person isn’t feeling the love as much as you are, your tears will make them feel guilty, and they’ll probably agree to a relationship with you even if it’s not that great of an idea.
- Make a dramatic gesture that produces a loud noise. Hit the wall between you with your hand! Drop to your knees with emotion! Whatever you do, remember, it’s never too over-the-top for the pods. When your love interest hears the sound of your knees hitting the ground or your hand colliding with the wall, they’ll know you were meant to be. Make sure to always follow up your dramatic gesture with something along the lines of: “I just love you so much!” This will let them know that you’re not just falling over and prompt them to say “I love you” back out of instinct. NOTE: If you really are a klutz and do actually fall over, just shout a dramatic declaration of your love so they think that the loud noise was a demonstration of affection, not clumsiness.
- If you feel the need to bring up your large age difference in every conversation, they might not be the one for you. This is not to say that relationships with age gaps can’t work, many do. However, if it comes up several times a day, it might be too big of an obstacle for you and your love interest. Additionally, if you fall in love with someone who is several years older or younger than you, talking about the age gap every day makes it awkward. Don’t do it.
- Don’t tell multiple people you love them. Should you choose to move between pods and talk to multiple people as the cast did on Love is Blind, don’t convince multiple people that they’re your one and only. Common courtesies still apply in the pods. You wouldn’t convince multiple people that you were going to propose to them at the same time in real life (if you do, that’s rude; don’t do that.), so don’t do it in the pods. You will look like a jerk and people will be angry with you. Whatever you do, don’t be the Barnett of your pod complex.
- Don’t forget to disinfect! Even though the pods are safer than traditional dating methods, multiple people might still be rotating through the same pod. Carry Lysol to every date and give every pod a good spray when you’re done. Check to see if your true love does the same, this will be a good window into their hygiene habits.
By following these simple tips, you and your pod date could become the next Cameron and Lauren!