Using Dating Apps While Traveling: A Personal Experience

18 May 2024

Although I’d always loved the idea of traveling and had been on holiday before, I had never done the full-blown traveler thing. I went straight from school to college, then from university to full-time employment. It never felt feasible for someone like me, from a working-class background, to take months off to go exploring and “find myself.”

But at the age of 28, after a breakup, the loss of a parent, and working in a stressful news environment for seven years, I decided to quit my job, put my things into storage, and embark on a two-month solo trip across America. I started in New York, did most of the East Coast, and then headed for Charleston, South Carolina.

Initial Experiences: Hostels and New Contacts

For the first half of my trip, I stayed in a mixture of Airbnb and hostels, trying to save money where I could. The hostels offered great opportunities to meet people, but they were mostly tourists like me. The only Americans I’d interacted with at that time were either behind a counter or older couples who could afford a trip beyond state lines and had the holiday allowance to do so.

Using Hinge to Connect with Locals

So when I reached the south, I decided to download Hinge. It’s not that I wanted to meet a man or that I thought it would last even if I did, but it seemed to be the most effective way to get to know the locals – fast. I advertised that I was British on my profile and mentioned some of the places I wanted to visit, outlining how long I’d be staying in the area.

Within an hour of creating the account, I had more than 100 likes – something that just doesn’t happen in the UK. To my surprise, most of them were attractive, easy to talk to, and willing to meet up on short notice. I made a series of plans and worked them around my own tour of the city so that I didn’t miss out on anything.

A Memorable Date: Meeting Brad

The first date was with a guy named Brad*. He was quintessentially American: tall, tanned, with very white teeth. He told me to meet him at a bar on King Street around 7 pm. It was a particularly balmy night, and despite having showered just an hour before, I was getting sweaty. I was feeling irritable because of the heat and the fact that he was late.

When he arrived, my mood lifted, and we entered the joint, which was full of frat boys and sorority girls. Everyone was clad in the colors of the local college football team. Although it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea and Brad wasn’t my usual type, I found the experience eye-opening and rather endearing. After some time talking about the Tigers and all the sports he enjoyed, Brad finally let slip that he had a grown-up office job, working in a sales team for a hospitality booking site.

Adventuring to Folly Beach

After a series of engaging conversations, I woke up the next morning to a message from another match, asking if I fancied a trip to Folly Beach. Having no car, I was somewhat restricted in terms of getting about, so I decided to take him up on the offer. We had been talking for about two days prior, and he told me he had a dog named Toro. As I walked up the path to his house, the dog came bounding towards me, almost knocking me off my feet.

Unexpected Connections

Most American guys drop you off at your door after a date. After our beach outing, there was a thoughtful pause at my door before I invited him in. We spent the rest of the day sharing conversations on the daybed, until I remembered I had plans with Brad. I excused Cameron as I kept my thoughts occupied by the upcoming dinner date.

A Week of Adventures in Charleston

While at dinner, I couldn’t focus on Brad’s words as my mind kept drifting to Cameron. We spent the week hanging out with friends, visiting nearby plantations, and enjoying sunsets from ancient trees. When my time came to leave for Savannah, Cameron asked if he could join me – and I said yes.

Reflections and Lasting Impressions

During my solo days in Savannah, I thought about my connection with Cameron. It is rare for me to get swept up in feelings so early on, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was fate that led me to him. On a lovely Friday, we strolled down to the river and shared our stories, realizing I was falling in love with him.

Our goodbye was challenging, but we each kept small souvenirs from our time together – tattoos and handcrafted gifts. Although our romantic feelings may fade, the memories and the kindness we shared remain impactful. Sometimes, the most significant experiences in life are transient, leaving lasting effects.

Top Tips for Dating Abroad

• Change your location ahead of time to arrange dates in advance.
• Clearly state your home country and how long you’ll be in the area to set expectations.
• Outline your travel plans; locals can provide valuable advice.
• If sensitive to political or social issues, bring up concerns before meeting.
• Ask for local recommendations to discover hidden gems.
• Meet in a public place for safety on initial meetings.
• Inform a friend or family of your plans and whereabouts for added security.
• Keep expectations casual; explore new experiences and enjoy.

*names changed