New year, new me: top trends that will define India’s dating scene in 2022

Welcome 2022: The last couple of years, namely the pandemic, have changed nearly every facet of our lives. This applies to our love lives as well. Meeting new people, going out on dates, deepening existing relationships, everything went online during the pandemic and as things reopen or close again... we have all been forced to rethink how we date in 2022.

Here are some trends that define how Indians will pursue dating in 2022, as per dating app Bumble.

SET RESET

The pandemic has forced many to rethink their life and priorities. 71% of Bumble users say they are all set to hit the reset button on their dating pattern in the new year. Emotional availability has been ranked highest on the lovers’ checklist.

EXPLORI-DATING

‘What is my type’ is a question that’s plaguing nearly half of the people since the beginning of the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, over 55% of Bumble users define their approach and outlook to dating as exploratory in the coming year.

SEE MORE Vax & Dine: how post-pandemic dating will usher a new age of love

HOBBY DATES

Cooking, dancing or investing... Indians have found plenty of new hobbies during the pandemic and that will impact their dating lives as well. Around 52% of people on the app are planning their dates around their new interests making ‘hobby dates’ a convenient way to return to IRL dating.

SERIOUS OR NADA

Casual relationships might take a backseat as the virus made around 62% of people realise that it’s okay, and sometimes even better, to be alone. Nearly half of everyone said they will be more ‘mindful and intentional’ about who and how they date.

AFFECTION ON DISPLAY

After a long time of being scared to even shake hands with another individual, Bumble predicts that public displays of affection are going to be all the rage. Not just Kourtney Kardashian, 73% of single Indians too on Bumble admitted to being more open to public displays of affection post-pandemic.

SEE MORE People who meet on dating apps have long term commitment: study