We’ve had some interesting dating trends come across the MH desk in recent years. There was ‘prowling’, there was ‘outsourcing’ and there was even ‘love lurking’.
Now there’s a new one: ‘jibing’, and while we’re not convinced, sexpert Dr. Nikki Goldstein is.
So what is ‘jibing’? It’s using apps that aren’t dating apps to meet someone. Think Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Airtasker.
“I have this friend where she was selling furniture on Gumtree and [this guy] rocked up to the door to buy something from her,” Goldstein tells D’Marge.
And according to the relationship expert, “with these things, the benefit is you already have their number so it takes the awkwardness away from asking for someone’s details.
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“I think it happens… a lot. These apps and websites that are not meant for meeting people, but you meet people.”
There’s also the added benefit of having plenty to talk about, says Goldstein. If you find yourself moving furniture in, you can use your surroundings as conversation starters. How long has she been there? When did she move in? Notice the surf photography book on her table? Great, you can talk about it.
You’re also in a more natural state, no pre-date nerves.
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“On a tinder date, on the other hand, you might not be yourself (and) you might not be chatty because you’ve been thinking about this date for the last few hours,” Goldstein adds.
So is meeting someone on a market place app socially acceptable? Not quite, but Goldstein argues that it’s not like people haven’t met before over a furniture delivery or helping someone change an old light bulb. Only this time, they used an app to find help.
Love at first flatpack anyone?
