If you are having trouble finding a snack to have with your Netflix Original, the odds are you can get one through your refrigerator – or through your direct messages. You may want that “sweet treat” to chill with you, but you are split between the happiness that it might bring and the shame you will feel afterwards for indulging.
Hookup culture stems from not wanting to have a serious, romantic relationship, but still wanting the personal connection. These casual relationships have become the norm for younger generations.
I think it is natural to want an intimate experience with someone under the right conditions. It is alright to want to leave the emotional baggage at the door. The nuts and bolts of hooking up appear to be simple. However, before you enter through the door, it’s best to know what kind of person they are. Learn a little about their interests and who they are as a person.
Do they like sports, or do they prefer watching anime? Are they shy, or are they extroverted? The more you are on the same wavelength with the person, the more you have a chance of actually enjoying their presence. Having conversations about these topics can help increase your level of comfort with each other and create less awkward situations.
And, perhaps this could turn into more than a one-time thing. A real, meaningful relationship may develop.
If meeting a person “in person” is too intimidating, it can be more convenient to hookup with someone with the aid of online applications. Tinder, Grindr, and Bumble are options that allow users access to each other’s’ profiles in order to swipe an opportunity for a chance in the bedroom. This is especially useful because each profile has a biography you can read to let you know if you are compatible.
When you “match” with a person you like, all you have to do is arrange a time and a place to meet up. The best part about meeting people online is that after they have left, you can continue to swipe right. There is little emotional attachment to the individual.
However, there are problems with today’s hookup culture. The idea is that both partners partaking in it should agree to each other’s time and have fun. But it is not for everyone. People may also flirt to the point where it becomes excessive.
If you or someone you know participates in hookup culture, it must be done with consent and respect. This holds true for any type of relationship.
Some people want a relationship that is more romantic. This “real” culture, if you will, is believed by some to be no more than a fairytale since the hookup culture appears to be dominant. However, I believe it is possible to have a more “real” connection with someone.
A person can only experience having a dessert so many times before they get sick of it and begin to prefer the more “broccoli” of bonds — something more nutritional for the soul. Eventually, someone may want to take it slow and settle down.
If your crush is known to hook up with people, that doesn’t mean he or she won’t appreciate a bouquet of flowers from you and then desire something more serious.
You can choose which lifestyle suits you the best. The hookup culture and real culture are two sides of the same coin, and there are audiences for both sets of customs. If you have a sexual partner in mind, don’t be afraid to let them know you’re interested in them.
Don’t be afraid if no one seems to be interested in having something serious, either. Odds are, you’re one conversation away from accepting a rose. So get out there, make a profile, and swipe right!
PHOTO TAKEN by Caroline Mattise
