“Since all the public libraries are closed, I’m checking you out instead.” If that line’s got you hot and bothered (emotionally; if literally, get checked please), you might be the perfect online dating candidate to fall for a pandemic pick-up line.
Love in the time of coronavirus has many Canadian singles refraining from IRL mingling, because of social distancing. Those cooped up at home have taken to the endless scrolling of dating apps, and although Reuters reports no rise in app downloads, existing users have been poking fun at COVID-19 on their accounts. In a statement, OKCupid global communications manager Michael Kaye said the app noticed a spike in coronavirus mentions on profiles, with a reported 71 per cent increase over the last three months.
Watch: How to date in a pandemic. Story continues below.
Those searching for their digital soulmate (or at least, someone with a decent wifi signal or toilet paper stash) should take care not to match with the virus itself; COVID-19 parody profiles have appeared on many apps, with tongue-in-cheek descriptions like “new in town” and “planning to travel all around the world.”
If you’re looking to catch feelings and not catch COVID-19, these outrageous pick-up lines from Canadian Tinder profiles should be in your arsenal:
“When this social distancing is over and done with, I'm going to need someone to grab a drink with.”
- 25-year-old, Montreal
“If coronavirus cannot take you out, can I?”
- 23-year-old, Vancouver
“Let's wash our hands together.”
- 24-year-old, Montreal
“Quarantine and chill?”
- 25-year-old, Toronto
“At this point we may never meet each other. But make believe is fun.”
- 27-year-old, Halifax
And check out these smooth-talkers on Twitter:
Queer pandemic personal ads
Lex, a text-only queer dating app, has seen its wordplay-prone users getting poetic about the pandemic.
“Let’s flirt and fall for each other over Facetime until we can finally meet after all this chaos,” one Toronto user suggests.
The “queerentine” has inspired innovative ways to get frisky. Brooklyn-based writer Ana Valens started up a nude swap through Lex, to exchange bedroom shots.
- What are the cases of the new coronavirus in Canada? Take a look at our map.
- Want to apply for the new CERB? Here’s what you need to know.
- How to tell the difference between the coronavirus and the flu.
- “Flattening the curve” could help us all, and here’s why.
- Things are changing quickly: a cross-Canada look at which services are open and closed.
Also on HuffPost: