Ladies, it’s time to find your girl squad! Tinder is spreading their sweeping zone with a $1.4 million investment in Hey! VINA, a friend-finding app for women. After launching Tinder Social this summer, which connects groups of people for a night out, CEO Sean Rad continues to expand Tinder’s image so that it is more than just a hook-up app. “In our research, it’s clear that many of our users want a product that functions the same way as Tinder but helps them find friends instead,” Rad told Tech Crunch. “We invested in Vina because I’ve been thinking about this space, about social introduction as a broader theme, for a very long time.“ Hey! Vina was launched in January this year by startup goddesses, Olivia June Poole and Jen Aprahamian. It operates like a platonic Tinder by matching you with a potential BFF in similar zip codes. There would be a picture pulled out from Facebook, a short bio, and personality quizzes. Personally, I am excited to hear this news. I’ve been using Tinder for three years, and my friends have been complaining that I waste my time on meeting guys more than hanging out with girls. But to be honest, after high school, it’s not easy to find close friends that share the same interests. Of course, the main reasons are the lack of time, priorities change, and women often super picky in choosing girlfriends that they are comfortable to bond with. On the weekend when we hang out at a bar, most likely you would be busy catching up with your current friends when guys are hitting on you. There is greater chance to meet new guys than like-minded women that you’ll click with. We are living in the era when people are socializing with phones. It is sad to admit that we need an app that helps us in the most basic social skills: building a friendship. However, as modern women who are always on the move, this app is a solution to expand our social circle. Video by Hey! Vina Hey! Vina only has three stars review on the App store, but hopefully with Tinder as its new mentor, the app will be able to reach its potential. I can’t wait until Hey! Vina is available for Android. So don’t forget to tell your girlfriends, colleagues, mom, sister, aunt, and neighbor lady about Hey! Vina— no lady left behind! Checkout VINAZINE for more empowering stories about women.
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Despite loads of intelligent, attractive, young single people, dating in San Francisco is not easy. Dating apps might easily match you with potential dates but also make the process of dating harder than in real life: the first text message, the first blind date, the awkward conversation, and the abrupt ending. Having a big, strong ego could be a good thing when you are dating in SF. To survive the SF dating scene, you need to know what to expect from it if you are going to make it work. #1. Know what you want Just like everything in life, you have to find what you want from a date. Do you want a platonic friendship, a romantic relationship, friends with benefits, a painless hookup, or other possibilities? There are many options out there, but each person wants a different type of commitment. Especially in SF, people are more liberal and open to many forms of dating. Instead of wasting each other's time, I've built a habit of asking: "What are you looking for?" when I chat with someone before the first date. I know what I want, and I need my partner to be aware of his. We should try to focus on people that we might have connections with, rather than endlessly swiping right. #2. Pick your favorite app After you know what you want, you better choose an app that will work best for you. Tinder is, of course, more straightforward, so don't be surprised if many are looking for booty calls. Bumble has been labeled as the “feminist Tinder,” allowing women to make the first move, and yet setting a time limit of 24 hours from the time they match before the connection disappears. Coffee Meets Bagel tends to aim for a more serious relationship. Women will get options of men who already liked them, which means no more guessing game. There are OkCupid, Happn, Raya, Match.com, and other options. Don't get confused, check out this article to find the right dating app for you. #3. Google yourself before your date googles you My friend calls it “pre-dating” and not “stalking.” It is a short research to double check if the date is not a scam. In the past, I've searched every possible shred of information I can find about a guy that I like from his Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, or articles about him. Okay, that one was stalking, I admit. Regardless of the reason, people do type in their date’s name on Google. I suggest that you Google yourself. Make sure you don't put out unnecessary or dangerous information out there and set your Facebook to private. #4. Grab a coffee or drink in public on the first date Coffee Meets Bagel's poll shows that having overpriced coffee at an artisanal, organic coffee shop in Mission is the typical SF first date. Generally, within the first 60 seconds of the date, you will get a sense whether there is a possibility of friendship or romantic relationship. If there is no connection, the worse thing possible is to get stuck with a bad date for hours. So keep the first date short, you can always extend it if things go well. And yes, always meet in public, just because you don't want to let a serial killer into your house. #5. Be Genuine During a blind date, there is often the temptation to try to be what you think the other person will want since they don’t know you in real life. Be genuine with your profile picture, at least keep it close to the real life. Be genuine with your date about what you like and dislike. Don't pretend to be a yogi or a vegan just because your date is. #6. Keep the distance in mind If he/she lives across the bridge, it’s basically long distance since Lyft would cost more than 30 bucks. #7. Don’t get too emotional, they are most likely going to move SF natives are as rare as a unicorn. Most people moved to SF for work or study, and not everyone is planning to live in the city forever. So unless you want to move back to Boston, Essex, or Beijing, make sure to not get too attached to anyone you date in SF before you know his or her plans. #8. Expect he/she travels a lot Let’s say they do live in the city, but they are never around. People in SF always seem to be traveling. It happened multiple times when I had a few great dates with someone, and then he had to travel for work. Things ended up with him sending me pictures from Amsterdam, Japan, or Vegas until things tent to fizzle out due to no one was ever around long enough to get to know each other. #9. Let’s move in together… really? When relationships do happen, couples tend to move in together quickly. Mostly it is because rent in SF is more affordable when it is being split two ways.I've seen multiple friends that are stuck being roommates with their exes. So, make sure when you do move in together, it is because you are ready to take your relationship to the next level. #10. Looking to commit? Beware of the “Peter Pan Syndrome” Being single in one’s 40s is totally normal in SF. People are coming to San Francisco to grow their profession, to travel and to experience life; they aren’t looking for their soulmate.Thousands of young individuals from around the world prolong their independence while putting their careers as number one priority. They want to make money to buy a nice condo, a convertible, the latest gadgets, and never grow up. Your dates could love their jobs more than you and most likely you will feel the same. #11. Remember, “ghosting” is not personal Have you been “ghosted” before? Well, you are not alone. I’ve been ghosted, and it happens to everyone nowadays. Urban Dictionary defines ghosting as: “The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date. This is done in hopes that the ghostee will just get the hint and leave the subject alone, as opposed to the subject simply telling them he/she is no longer interested.” The ultimate silent treatment is one of the most common endings to great date stories. Playing dead can be rude and disrespectful but don't take this personally, and try not to get offended. People are just afraid of confrontation and avoidance seems like an easy solution. We also never know what the other person is going through in his/her life. When my dates are ghosting me, usually I pretend that they are dead instead of acting like an insecure nutcase. After all, they are ghosts. Let them deal with their problems in their afterlife. #12. Unmatch = Block! Some people are simply mean and offensive. There are many weird people out there. I’ve got people that would pester me with messages all day. I’ve received numerous unwanted sexual pictures and multiple rude messages with no reason. I've also had a date that kept messaging me asking for money. Sometimes, blocking is necessary. I know this list may sound negative, but the reason that you should know these facts is to prepare you to date in San Francisco with the right mindset. When you enter an online dating scene with the wrong attitude and unrealistic expectations, it can make you feel insecure when the problem is not with you. After you get used to the SF dating culture, you will survive the swings of online dating. I believe that you can learn a lot about yourself from the experience, or perhaps you will find your heart in San Francisco. Video credit: HBO Is it possible for human to fall in love with a humanoid? Most of us have started to binge watch the new HBO series “Westworld.” It is about a robotic vacation destination based on the Old West where tourists can live out their illicit fantasies without limit. How so? By fulfilling their desire through robots with artificial intelligence, from murders to sexual rendezvous. The series is an adaptation of the 1973 Michael Crichton film under the same name. HBO has excelled by telling the story mostly from the androids’ point of view. “The audience watches androids become more human—as the humans become less so,” wrote Christopher Orr in his article “Sympathy for the Robot,” which was published by The Atlantic. Dating a machine could soon be a reality. I was stunned by facts that I found online. Here are five articles that predict the future of human-robot relationship: #1. Experts Predict People May Soon Start Dating, Falling In Love With Robots “Falling in love with objects can be considered as the condition called objectophilia. However, it could be a different case if a person falls in love with a robot that appears and acts like a human, according to Jonathan Roberts, a professor in robotics, and Kate Letheren, a postdoctoral research fellow, both from Queensland University of Technology,” wrote Darwin Malicdem for Healthaim Read Story #2. One in four claimed that they would date a robot if it looks like a human “Indeed, intimacy as we know it is expanding its boundaries - enabling us to experience love and affection beyond the physical and into the virtual.” Stacy Liberatore for Daily Mail. Read Story #3. I Feel Your Pain: Humans Empathize With Robots That Get Hurt "The researchers found that the pattern of the brain's empathic neural signals triggered by the sight of robots in perceived pain was similar to that toward humans in pain.” James Eng for NBC News Read Story #4. The future of sex includes robots and holograms “What is the line between augmenting human connection with technology, and replacing it altogether? What does it mean for sex as we’ve always known it — eye contact, skin, sweat — if there’s a digital third wheel in the mix?” Caitlyn Gibson for The Washington Post. Read Story #5. World Robot Conference 2016 Reveals AI That Can Mimic Human Brains “I can talk with you. I can recognise faces. I can identify gender and age of people standing front of me, and I can detect your facial expressions.” Cheyenne MacDonald for Daily Mail. Read Story Do you think humanoid robot are the future of dating? Leave your comment below! For children, Halloween is a day for trick or treating. For adults, Halloween is the ultimate holiday for hooking up: you have an excuse to get drunk while wearing favorite cosplays. It is the weird world of fucking while dressed as Harley Quinn, Pokemon, Dark Vader, Magic Mike, or Wonder Woman. Even the most sexless costume still got the wearers laid, since everyone is out to have a little fun on Halloween. That being said, in the wild atmosphere of the holiday, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and do something you regret. Here we break down the shenanigans of surviving Halloween hookup. Read this do’s and don’ts list before you get out there, and get ready to live out your darkest fantasy! Do:#1. Do: Role play Halloween is one of the rare moments in life when you can wear your fetish in public and be applauded for it. It all starts with a costume. Play it sexy, funny, or scary, totally up in your hand. Since you’ve already got the costume, why not play the part? #2. Do: Keep your hand to yourself Just because it’s Halloween and people are half-naked, that doesn’t justify your right to touch the hot stranger next to you. Seriously, groping without permission is not cool. Always ask first! #3. Do: Talk to strangers Are you shy in real life and always hide behind your Tinder persona? Now is the chance to be a social butterfly and try new things. Halloween offers the easiest conversation starter. A hint: compliment their costumes! Ripping it off them could be just around the corner. #4. Do: Ask for one-on-one time before you go home together People go incognito during Halloween, but you don’t want to wake up the next morning beside someone that you totally regret sleeping with. Remember, Halloween has “costume goggles.” Drop the character for one second; it’s time to remove their mask and do a little background check. Ask them if they are seeing anyone. We want to have fun, but still with a conscience. #5. Do: Own your stride of pride The only thing worse than doing the walk of shame after hooking up the night before is doing it in a costume. Catching an Uber home in a wrinkled sexy police costume is wayyy more obvious. I say, own it. Don't:#6. Don’t: Be a Garfield This year Halloween falls on a Monday, so you will mostly celebrate the weekend before the holiday. Hooking up is great but in reality, you still have to work on Monday morning. So try to skip the late-night Halloween party on Sunday if you plan to attend a private sleepover party. #7. Don’t: Be a jerk Mind your own business. Don’t get judgey about what people wear and don’t make obscene comments on their choices. Just don’t. #8. Don’t: Let your hook up out of your sight There are only so many costumes to choose from – especially when you order them the last minute from Amazon Prime. Heaven knows how many people showing up to a Halloween party will be wearing the same outfit. Don’t let your bae out of your sight; you don’t want to catch the wrong Pikachu. #9. Don’t: End up in a Halloween Internet scandal You might find your perfect fling, and there is a fiesta in your pants. Smooching around is understandable, but just be aware that you are not Clark Kent, and people can still recognize you under your costume. So, don’t do anything in public that you’d mind being caught on camera. #10. Don’t: Forget your pumpkin spice – flavored condoms Be smart, always play it safe! Halloween is just a month away. Now that you are emotionally prepared, it’s costume crunch time, people. Check out this guide on where to Find Halloween Costumes in San Francisco! “All the single ladies, put your hands up!” Lately, I’ve been complaining to my friend that I need a boyfriend. It is totally out of the blue for me since I am not a “relationship type” of girl. However, being single definitely has its highs and lows. Sometimes I miss cuddling or having someone that I can share my days with. But there's no doubt that flying solo is sometimes way better than dating. This may be one of the only times in your life when you can do whatever you want when you want it. I found three videos on Youtube that every single girl can relate to: 1. One Night StandVideo by: Comedy Central Amy Schumer’s skit for Comedy Central is not just about the humor of the vagina, there is a deep relatable behind it. As much as I don’t want to admit that an "ONS" still bothers me, I still act like a high school student falling in love when I hook up with a hot stud that meets all of my criteria. In this video, you will see the sad reality of the different expectation of an "ONS" from a guy’s and a girl’s point of view. 2. CrushingVideo by Buzz Feed Personally, I date the way most people date in the city, juggling multiple partners without any real forward movement. But deep down, I still long for a successful monogamous, long-term relationship, even though it seems like a fairytale in this apocalyptic dating era. Sometimes you just can’t help feeling like "OMG, he is the one." This video shows signs that you are falling for someone. 3. Single and happy?Video by SK-II This video is a must watch! The New York Times wrote an article based on this issue in China. I am not sure about all of you, but as an Asian, I can completely relate to their story. All humor aside, there is still a bad stereotype out there in the world regarding being single, especially as a woman. In Asia, single girls in their 30s are often labeled the “leftover women.” I hope we can shatter this image one day, and finally can be proud to be successful, intelligent, single individuals. If you can relate to these stories, share this post to the other single ladies! Dear single ladies and gentlemen, I hate to break it to you, but dating, as we once knew it, feels pretty much over. In a city like San Francisco, entering a singles scene can be wearing. On the other hand, SF also offers a fun, quirky, and mysterious dating scene that is worth exploring. You will encounter variations of dating cultures unlike in any other city. Here, we break down the real life stories and experiences, so that you can understand the sexpectations. SF is a city full of young, intelligent, and ambitious individuals. No matter how career-driven we are, we still seek human interactions, physical relationships, and companionships. We might not be ready to settle down; we want to explore the possibilities and have fun. People in San Francisco love to boast about how dating apps make their busy lives easier. Since Tinder is a place where you can find a true “love,” sometimes twice in one night, all the single Tinderellas are ready to mingle. Dating apps are also exhausting, and multiple blind dates ends up wasting our precious times. The always-new adventures can be very awkward and traumatizing too. Fake pictures, got stood up, email bail, ghosting… Sounds familiar? Sweeping right is not enough of a solution. Instead of giving up completely on relationships, we should be dating smartly. Follow DatingJunkie’s weekly post to learn the formula of modern dating. Good luck, MT |
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