Tried and Tested: Dating Apps for Expats

As twenty and thirty somethings turn more to mobile applications for finding everything from tram times to local concerts, it makes sense that we would all begin to use apps for meeting up, hooking up and dating. Those singles who poo-poo the idea of online dating take note; in a recent study by Match.com (US) 22% of the single population met their dates through friends, but another 20% met their dates through their electronic friend!

For singles in Prague there are a slew of available applications with new ones popping up regularly. I picked four of my favorites all of which are available on both iOS and Android operating systems and both Czech and English language.

‘It’s like real life, but better’. The premise is simple- swipe to the left if you are uninterested and swipe to the right if you are interested. Using your information from Facebook and your current location, you can see friends and interest in common, as well as how close the potential new lady is. It’s only once you both mutually like each other that you can begin your conversation. For those doing a bit of end of summer travelling it’s an excellent app for meeting new people, having a city fling or getting insight from a local.

Anyone can message you, which can be either flattering or incredibly annoying – thanks Internet trolls. It too takes your information from Facebook taking into account mutual friends and interests in common. There is a block option for those who would like to stop receiving messages from their secret admirer. You can contact people “nearby” through the GPS option on your phone or play a game called “Encounters” which took a page from tinder with the swipe left /right option.

You need to fill out a profile, where a minimum of 100 characters is needed for the ‘about you’ section. It doesn’t pull information from Facebook, but it does have you answer questions similar to mainstream sites like match.com. This app is more for the person looking for a serious partner and not just a good time; though I’ve been told by others that this is an excellent app for scoring the occasional NSA hookup.

It’s the men and women you pray to meet; all single, all successful, all well-educated and dare I say it, all incredibly attractive. The invite-only community has launched in six cities and looks to add more in 2014. Looking to meet your dream PR, fashion industry maven or your M&A lawyer or well-to-do fund manager, they are more likely than not on here and hoping that you will be lucky enough to be extended an invitation.

Appearance is important for both sexes and nowhere more so than on a dating app: it’s vanity super charged, pure and simple. Believe it or not, the same things women find irritating about men are actually what men gripe about as well, namely: sunglasses in every picture (you’re definitely hiding something), even worse – sunglasses at a distance of 400 meters!

Also to be avoided: the group shot where no one is sure if you are the “fit” or “fat” friend, the solo photo that also happens to be either the worst photo you could possibly find or a cartoon character. Distinctly annoying for both sexes are the H&M-style retouched photos and the obligatory bathroom selfie complete with duck face.

So what type of photos should you choose? Preferably ones that best reflect your personality; show us a playful side, give us a picture of you – gasp – smiling and of course clever tag lines and interesting “about you” sections are always appreciated.