Dating Apps Introverts

Jun 05, 2018 This app is one of the most efficient than most dating apps out there, being less of a social media experience and more of a get your results as soon as possible sort of thing. Coffee Meets Bagel doesn’t allow you to swipe or browse, instead, the app sends you a match every day at noon based on your personal characteristics such as religion. Features for introverts: Anomo is 100% about keeping things casual, at least at first, giving you time to feel out the situation. Unlike other dating apps out there, Anomo starts you off with just. Well, I’m very much an Introvert, and I’ve been on nearly a hundred dates (I know, I know) with people I met through dating sites or apps. In the beginning, these dates felt very much like a chore, but over time, I found ways to tailor each step of the process to my Introverted personality trait. Well, I’m very much an Introvert, and I’ve been on nearly a hundred dates (I know, I know) with people I met through dating sites or apps. In the beginning, these dates felt very much like a chore, but over time, I found ways to tailor each step of the process to my Introverted personality trait. Dating Apps For Introverts - 7 Best Dating Sites for Shy People (100% Free to Try) Online Dating for Introverted Men: 2021 Success Guide MORE IN Divorce. This is my number one reason why dating is how hard. Obviously if someone asked me on a date they want to date me, but my brain enjoys irrational sites and that can ruin the whole experience.

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When it comes to dating, you may seek out someone who’s similar to you in both personality and character. However, what happens when you’re an extrovert and they’re an introvert, or vice-versa? If you don’t understand the intricacies of each personality type, you may have more conflict in your relationship than is necessary. So, it’s best to know how to date an introvert in order to avoid potential personality clashes.

“Introverts and extroverts can create beautifully balanced, whole, and healthy partnerships together,” Lisa Olivera, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Oakland, CA, tells Bustle. “It takes honoring each other’s needs and learning about how you each best function in the world.” She also thinks it requires practicing patience.

“With the right tips and understanding, blending these two personality traits can lead to wonderful relationships,” she says.

However, to get to that level of understanding with one another, Olivera suggests learning what type of extrovert you are, as well as what type of introvert your partner is. One way to do so is through the Meyers-Briggs test so you can figure out your personality type. You can either do the test online or with someone like a therapist. “When we not only learn about ourselves, but also about our partner, we gain a better sense of how we work as individuals,” she says. “In turn, we learn how we can support our partner based on their traits and natural ways of being in the world.”

That said, here are more tips for dating an introvert if you’re an extrovert, according to experts.

If you’re an extrovert, a full-on people person who gets more energy around others versus alone, it may be difficult to acknowledge that your introvert partner is not wired the same way. “By understanding what our partner needs in order to function well as a human, we can do things to support them,” Olivera says. She says this may include giving them space alone, asking if they want support, and reminding them you are there for them.

“Furthemore, you can offer to partake in activities together or separately, such as taking different cars so that each person’s needs can be met,” Olivera says.

Dan Neuharth, PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, founder of DrDanMFTCounseling.com, and author of If You Had Controlling Parents: How to Make Peace with Your Past and Take Your Place in the World, says it’s best not to be judgmental. “Try not to judge or change the other person — introverted and extroverted tendencies are often set at birth,” he tells Bustle. “Instead, appreciate what the other person *does* offer. Introverts can offer extroverts the opportunity to slow down, reflect, self-soothe and increase introspection. Extroverts can offer introverts the opportunity to try new experiences, meet new people, and grow in new ways.

If you haven’t dated an introvert before, you may take it personally when they need space or alone time. But you shouldn't. On top of which, every introvert is different, so one may need more alone time than another. “Respect your partner’s preferences while also respecting your own,” Olivera says. “For example, if you are extroverted and want to attend a party, but your introverted partner is feeling drained, have a conversation about meeting your socializing needs, but also fulfilling their needs of wanting to stay home.”

She stresses that if your introverted partner needs time for themselves, respect that need by not taking it personally. “The more partners can practice recognizing and honor the needs of their partners AND themselves, the more satisfied and fulfilling their relationship will be,” Olivera says.

Dr. Dan thinks so, too. “Introverts need alone time and quiet time, but this doesn’t mean they don’t want you,” he says. He recommends letting them recharge in their own way. “If you’re an introvert, it’s OK to say to your partner, ‘I am overstimulated and need some quiet time.’ Similarly, an extrovert can say, ‘I am restless and need more stimulation.’ How else can two people with such different personality styles know how the other is feeling unless they tell each other?”

Adam C. Earnheardt, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of the Department of Communication at Youngstown State University is an extrovert and has been with his introvert wife for more than 20 years. Keeping lines of communication open is important, he says, which is something that may be a little difficult for new couples. “The trick for me has always been to listen to my wife’s needs about crowded spaces and public events,” he tells Bustle. “It took me a while to learn, but it’s actually physically and emotionally draining for her to be ‘on’ for other people, as it is for most introverts.”

Their solution? Having a safe word. “When we’re out in public, and she’s feeling overwhelmed by people and conversations, she’ll use our predetermined ‘excuse’ for bolting,” he says. He says after dating an introvert for a while, you might not need a safe word. “Instead, you simply pick up on the nonverbal cues, or that ‘look’ your partner gives, and you know it’s time to pack it in for the night,” Dr. Earnheardt says.

Extroverts usually don’t love silence, but it’s often an introvert’s best friend. “Extroverts like it when introverts express enthusiasm and gratefulness, so extroverts may interpret silence as disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm,” Dr. Dan says. “But introverts often need more time than extroverts to mull over important issues. Try not to let this frustrate you.”

There are strengths to being both an introvert and an extrovert, and it helps to remind yourself of your partner’s strengths. “For example, if you admire your partner’s ability to be in solitude without feeling lonely, point it out to them,” Olivera says. “Similarly, they may recognize how great you are at being around groups of people without getting depleted.”

She says that when you highlight differences as strengths instead of barriers, the differences becomes less important. “Instead, the recognition of our partner and their needs becomes the focus,” she says. “From this space, relationships can flourish and grow in a healthy and supportive way.”

As an extrovert, you probably have no issue with talking to your partner nonstop, about everything and anything, sharing your deepest, darkest feelings. However, that may not be the case when it comes to how your introverted significant other communicates with you. “Many introverts share more in response to questions rather than volunteering their thoughts, so ask away,” Dr. Dan says. “And, by allowing an introvert time, you are more likely to get deeper and more authentic responses than if you apply pressure.”

Whether or not you’re dating an introvert, compromising in relationships is key, and Dr. Dan suggests maximizing ways to do so with your introverted partner. “Seek compromise,” he says. “For example, take two cars (or Ubers or Lyfts) to social gatherings. This will allow the introvert to leave early if desired, which is better than not going at all. Look for win-wins.”

Dr. Earnheardt also thinks compromising is essential. “As extroverts, the activities we choose on dates can’t always be about us,” he says. “So be cognizant of the activities you suggest to your introverted date, being sure to pick an activity they’ll enjoy, like a hike in the park, a quiet dinner at your apartment, or talking about a book you’ve both just read. On the flip side, I promise, the right ever-observant introverted partner will see the effort you’re making and pay it back.”

No matter how much your introvert partner values their solitude, it’s also important that you continue to spend time together. “Make sure to make couples time,” Dr. Dan says. “Extroverts may need to do social things on their own just as introverts may need alone time. But don’t forget why you are together. Make time to give each other undivided attention.”

Dr. Earnheardt agrees, adding that it’s good if you and your introverted partner know what leads to intimacy. He says that while extroverts thrive in parties and public settings, meeting new people and experiencing new things, introverts see these activities as energy drains, sometimes to the point of near exhaustion. “Unfortunately, as extroverts, we don’t always think to talk about those potential energy drains with our partners,” he says. But he adds that talking about those limits may lead to great satisfaction as a couple.

“Plus, spending time alone as a couple, in quiet spaces, tend to be less physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding, and can lead to a greater levels of intimacy.”

As you can see, there are many ways to navigate an extrovert-introvert relationship. “I really think these kinds of pairings are best suited for long-term relationship success,” Dr. Earnheardt says. “All it takes a lot of good conversation and negotiation.” Of course, the bottom line is, communication is everything, and the sooner you master the communication style you and your introverted partner have, the better, though it may take some practice, which is completely OK.

If you’re single – and especially if you’re an Introvert – you’ve probably had at least one friend/parent/neighbor/stranger tell you to try online dating. And with good reason: according to a recent study from Stanford University and the University of New Mexico, nearly 40% of heterosexual couples and 65% of same-sex couples in the United States say they’re meeting through online dating services.

For Introverted personalities, online dating can seem like a perfect fit. Rather than elbowing our way through crowded parties or shouting over the music at a bar, we can browse potential matches from the comfort of our very own homes – possibly in our pajamas, with our pets nearby for moral support – and take as much time as we need to craft messages to people who catch our eye.

Introverts report having fewer romantic relationships – both long- and short-term – than Extraverts.

But that doesn’t necessarily make online dating fun or easy. It can be downright harrowing to put together a profile. (Should I admit that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is my favorite movie? And do my teeth look weird in that picture?) And think about having to banter with a perfect stranger over chat or text messages. (Is it weird if I use proper grammar? What are we supposed to talk about, anyway?)

And all of that’s before you even meet in person.

22% of Introverts say they’re “really bad” at attracting potential partners – compared to just 5% of Extraverts.

The good news is that being an Introvert does not make you “really bad” at attracting partners, and it doesn’t mean that online dating has to suck. How do I know, you might ask? Well, I’m very much an Introvert, and I’ve been on nearly a hundred dates (I know, I know) with people I met through dating sites or apps. In the beginning, these dates felt very much like a chore, but over time, I found ways to tailor each step of the process to my Introverted personality trait.

So, here’s my best advice on how you can bring your full, authentic, beautifully Introverted self to your online dating adventures – and maybe even have a good time doing it.

Step 1: Make a Profile

When I first decided to try online dating, I did so in typical Turbulent Mediator fashion. I’ll just put together a profile and see what happens, I told myself. I don’t have to actually meet anyone. Probably no one will want to meet me, anyhow.

Secretly, however, I very much hoped that at least someone would want to meet me – and so I resolved to make the most perfectly appealing profile ever. I chose the most flattering photos I could find and described myself in a generic, nonthreatening fashion. I might as well have said, “My interests are reading, hiking, and whatever else you think is cool.”

And that worked… Well, sort of. I got dozens of messages, and I went on a flurry of dates. But none of those people really got me – maybe because the real me was nowhere in sight.

80% of Introverts say they feel like “no one really knows the true you” – compared to 59% of Extraverts.

Tip #1: Meet Your Own Standards

When you’re scrolling through dozens of potential matches, what catches your eye? Maybe you find yourself stopping to get a better look at a clear, well-lit photo of someone with a big smile. Or maybe you find yourself nodding along with a profile description that foregrounds someone’s hobbies and passions or highlights how close they are to their friends and family.

And what turns you off? Blurry, moody photos where the person isn’t even facing the camera? Photos that look years out of date? Grammar and spelling errors? Half-completed profiles that trail off into a long, sad line of ellipses with a few commas accidentally thrown in…,…,…,…?

Once you’ve taken note of your personal standards, make sure you meet them in your own profile. This can help you see your profile the way a potential match might. For example, have you:

uploaded two or more recent, well-lit photos where you’re facing the camera?
checked your spelling and grammar?
filled in all the fields?
shared at least a couple of personal details, such as what appeals to you about your work or how you enjoy spending your weekends?

Many Introverts – myself included – find it uncomfortable to share details of their lives or even pose for photos. If you could get away with a three-word description and one blurry photo where you’re wearing a hat and sunglasses, I promise I’d tell you so. But that just won’t fly on most platforms. Fortunately, you can get off to a good start just by snapping a few fresh pictures and posting a clear, concise description.

Tip #2: It’s Not All about the Profile

Your profile shouldn’t be generic, but that doesn’t mean you need to cram it with everything someone might ever want to know about you. Many of us Introverted personalities feel most comfortable expressing ourselves from behind a keyboard, so it may be tempting to saddle your profile with a 2,000-word essay that starts out with, “What you need to know about me is…” Unfortunately, overlong descriptions can lose people’s interest or even come across as self-involved.

For guidance, take a closer look at those profiles that catch your interest. How long are the descriptions? Are they broken up into multiple paragraphs, if the platform allows for that? Do they talk more about traits (“I am considerate and trustworthy”) or actions (“I love hitting the trail for a run after a long, stressful day”)? Seeing what works in other profiles can help you find both a length and format that makes sense for your own.

Remember this: no matter how hard you try, there’s no way to create a profile that captures your full personality. It just isn’t possible. So, don’t think you have to wait until you have your profile “just right” before you can actually talk or meet with people.

Tip #3: Highlight Your Quirks

After nearly a year of online dating, I decided to change up my photos. Gone were the über-flattering pictures taken by a friend with a fancy camera. Instead, I snapped a couple of quick, imperfectly lit selfies of me with the forty-string harp I was learning to play.

Those selfies didn’t make my hair look particularly good, but they caught some of my real personality – including a big, genuine smile. They also conveyed something I was actually passionate about. And you know what? It was those photos that caught the eye of the person who is now my fiancé.

So, here’s my advice: own your quirks. Maybe you’re learning to fence or writing a fantasy novel or caring for a family of 58 houseplants. Whatever makes you tick – even if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea – don’t be afraid to highlight it. After all, wouldn’t you rather end up with someone who appreciates your quirks rather than someone who’s attracted to a bland, generic profile?

Step 2: Chat with People

This step can be tricky. On the one hand, exchanging written messages appeals to many Introverted personality types. Interacting with someone via a screen? Sure, we can do that. On the other hand, it’s really easy to get stuck in this step, exchanging witty messages all the livelong day but never actually meeting anyone in person.

When I was doing the whole online-dating dog and pony show, I got a little dopamine hit every time I got a message. Of course, not every message deserved a dopamine hit. One guy led off by calling himself a “man of misery” and saying he was “probably not ready” to date. (Also, you wouldn’t believe how many people just say, “Hey,” and leave it at that.)

Now, as I scroll through those old chat transcripts, I can’t believe how many people I exchanged dozens of messages with but never met – whiling away hours that could have been spent reading or hiking or whatever. At the time, I chided myself for being flaky, but looking back, I can see that those people just weren’t for me. Some of them lived too far away. Some just weren’t my type. And hours of chatting weren’t going to change that.

86% of Introverts say that writing allows them to express things they’d otherwise find difficult to share.

Tip #1: Don’t Wait for Them to Make the First Move

Only 38% of Introverted personalities say that if they like someone, they “waste no time” letting them know – compared to 65% of Extraverted personalities. And you know what? Most of the time, it’s perfectly all right to wait to approach someone until we’re fully comfortable.

Alas, online dating doesn’t work that way. Most people don’t have unlimited amounts of time to chat and meet with potential matches. If you wait a week or even just a few days to send someone a message (or reply to their messages!), their inbox might already be overflowing, or they might have just scheduled a date for the only night they have free this week.

If someone catches your eye, drop them a line right away. It might not feel super comfortable, and that’s okay. Just focus on establishing contact. You don’t need to come up with the perfect opening line. To be honest, there’s no such thing as a perfect opening line (as long as you don’t just say, “Hey,” or reveal that you’re not actually ready to date, that is).

One more thing: the point of chatting with someone on a dating site or app is to actually set up a date. If, after chatting for a little while, you want to meet someone, then let them know. Beyond this point, exchanging more messages – even if those messages seem super deep and awesome – may actually dampen your enthusiasm for each other. Remember that you’re both on this site for the same reason, hoping to be asked out.

Tip #2: Show Off Your Listening Skills

According to our research, 87% of Introverted personality types say that, in conversations, they tend to be the listener. When it comes to online dating, this can really set you apart. In a world (or an inbox) full of people who want to talk about themselves, it’s a breath of fresh air to have someone say, “Hey, I see that you’re learning to play racquetball. How did you get into that?”

When chatting with a potential match, use your listening skills to draw them out. If you’re sending the first message, always reference something specific from that person’s dating profile – for example, their recent trip to France or their interest in Thai cuisine. That alone will help you stand out from all the messages that say, “Hey, how was your weekend?” It also gives the person a sense of what you’re like: a thoughtful, considerate listener who’s genuinely curious about other people.

Step 3: The First Date

Making it to this step is a good thing. But it might not feel that way right before you’re scheduled to meet, when suddenly all you want is to crawl into bed with a good book. I confess that I used to compulsively check my phone during the lead-up to a date, hoping that the person I was supposed to meet had canceled at the last minute. Alas, they almost always showed up.

Incidentally, do you know what isn’t a good way to prepare for a first date? You guessed it: compulsively checking your phone to see if the other person has canceled.

I would also caution against:

agonizing over your hair/makeup/clothing. (You’ll probably be most comfortable if you show up as a well-groomed version of your normal self, so don’t think you need to dress or look like someone else altogether.)
brainstorming dozens of random conversation topics. (You’d be surprised how hard it is to skillfully steer a conversation toward the subject of composting toilets.)
googling the person you’re about to meet. (It’s super awkward if you say, “Hey, I think it’s really cool you won that violin competition in 2009,” and they haven’t told you about it.)

Instead, I’d suggest that you spend any free time before a date doing something you enjoy – whether that’s reading a book, listening to a podcast, or cuddling with your pet. This can help you feel more relaxed and present during the date itself. (And trust me, that cool book you’re reading is a way better conversation topic than composting toilets.)

44% of Extraverts agree that some tactics, such as playing hard to get, are “an essential part” of the dating process, compared to just 30% of Introverts.

Tip #1: Don’t Fret about Being an Introvert

Here’s the bad news: being an Introvert means that you probably feel drained after extensive social interaction, and that can make dating seem all the more daunting. You might need to schedule some alone time to gear up for a first date, and afterward, you might need even more alone time to recover.

Ready for the good news? Being an Introvert doesn’t mean that you’re bad at dating. Introversion also doesn’t mean that you’re a bad conversationalist, that you don’t know how to have fun, or that other people don’t love spending time with you. In fact, your Introverted personality trait can give you the listening skills needed to become a truly great conversationalist who’s a joy to be around. It can also empower you to forgo some of the most common romantic ploys, such as playing hard to get.

Oh, I’m terrible at dating because I’m an Introvert. If you tell yourself this, then you’re just setting yourself up for hurt feelings. And if you assume that Extraverted personalities somehow have it easier when it comes to dating, then you’re forgetting that even the most outgoing Extravert can still get nervous, act awkward, and have their heart broken.

Remember, Introversion comes with its own gifts and is not a liability when it comes to dating. Once you’ve done that, you can improve your first-date mind-set even further by moving on to Tip #2.

Tip #2: Treat First Dates as Practice

Here, fellow Introvert, are your options: you can go into a first date with the attitude that, “If this doesn’t work out, then I’m probably doomed to be alone forever,” or you can decide to view any dates that don’t pan out as practice.

As you might guess, I strongly recommend the latter. I know exactly one lucky soul who married the first person they met online. The rest of us go on a number of first dates before we meet someone with whom we click. You can view this as a bad thing, or you can see it as a gift. Even if we mess up a whole lot of the first dates we go on, it probably doesn’t matter.

Once you start viewing dating as “practice,” you’ll probably find that you learn something from every first date, no matter how awkward or draining it may be. You might learn that you talk really fast when you’re nervous, or that you enjoy asking people about trips they’ve taken, or that you really, really, really hate bowling.

Whatever the lesson is, take it to heart. That way, when you meet someone who really does make your heart sing, you’ll already know to slow down, ask them about their travels – and stay far, far away from any bowling alleys.

Step 4: The Aftermath

Congratulations, you survived the first date!

So, now what?

The hours after a first date can be surprisingly stressful. You might mentally replay each moment in a conversation, wondering, Was it super awkward to talk about how much I love chocolate hummus? I mean, that’s a valid conversation topic, right?

Apps For Shy People

Chances are, you’ll also check your phone more than usual, hoping for (or perhaps dreading?) a message about a second date. It’s tempting to wait for the other person to get in touch first, especially if they seem relatively outgoing. But even for Introverts, waiting on someone else can be really disempowering.

For a long time, it never even occurred to me that I could be the one to say, “Hey, I had a great time. How about we do that again sometime soon?” But eventually, I discovered that I actually liked being the first person to weigh in after a date. It felt bold and brave and honest – feelings that can be surprisingly thrilling for Introverted personalities.

Eventually, I even got brave enough to say, “I really enjoyed meeting with you and chatting about chocolate hummus. I didn’t feel a spark, but I’m really glad we had the chance to meet. Take care.” And, for me, speaking my mind in that way is a really, really big deal.

Only 61% of Introverts report revealing their true selves to someone before starting a relationship, versus 73% of Extraverts.

Tip #1: There Are No Rules, but That Doesn’t Mean Anything Goes

As you’re heading home from the date, use your Introverted introspective skills to notice how you feel. Are your hands buzzing with excitement, or do your cheeks hurt from forced smiling? Once you’ve checked in with these physical sensations, it might be easier for you to decide how you feel about the date – and whether you’d like to see that person again.

Once you’ve made this decision, be bold and brave and let the other person know, even if you don’t know how they feel. Don’t worry about the so-called rules of dating. (Is it too soon to send a message? Is there a “right” way to say this?) The truth is, there are no set rules when it comes to this stuff, and there’s no “right” way to say any of it.

That doesn’t mean that anything goes, though. Even if it isn’t super comfortable, you’re better off saying how you feel sooner rather than later. Let’s walk through a case-by-case of why that’s true:

You like them and suggest a second date…
- If they’re interested, they’ll be delighted when you suggest a second date. Seriously, you’ll make their day. Additional benefit: the more prompt you are with this, the more likely you are to make it onto their schedule again if they’re super busy (see Step 2, Tip #1).
- If they’re not interested, then the worst that could happen is that they say no. And yes, that hurts, but at least you know for sure, and you won’t be left wondering, Maybe if I’d texted them…

You don’t like them and let them down gently…
- If they’re interested, then your kindly worded message (to the extent of “had a nice time but didn’t feel a spark”) will spare them and you some awkwardness. Trust me – it’s much easier to let someone down gently if you do so before they’ve suggested a second date.
- If they’re not interested, then what do you have to lose? You may as well give them the consideration of thanking them for meeting you, even if it didn’t work out.

I’m not saying that any of this is easy. In fact, I know it can be particularly challenging for us Introverts. But at least we can handle this step over a text message if we like. Just a couple of decades ago, we would have been stuck doing all this over the phone (or, if the Introverted personality stars aligned in our favor, via answering machine).

Be bold and try being the one to suggest a follow-up date (or say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” if that’s how you feel). If it doesn’t work out, then you can chalk it up to practice (see Step 3, Tip #2) and move on. Speaking of which…

Introvert Dating Sites

Tip #2: Get Back on the Horse

Spoiler alert: some dates won’t work out, just like some relationships won’t work out.

At times, this fact won’t bother you at all. You’ll listen to some Lizzo and get on with your life. But at other times, it might bother you a great deal. Rejection sucks, and one person’s rejection can feel like a giant stamp on your forehead that says “uncool” or “unlovable” or whatever your worst fear is.

But here’s the thing: you don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with you. (Ask me how I know that.) In this way, rejection is a gift. Sure, it’s a gift that nobody wants, but it isn’t the end of the world, I promise. And it doesn’t need to stop you from getting back on the horse – or the dating app – and trying again.

Swipe Right or Swipe Wrong?

So, dear reader, now that you’ve heard my top tips, do you feel more ready to jump into the world of online dating? Or, if you’re already on dating sites or apps, will you change anything about your approach? Let us know in the comments!

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