B4U Swipe

In this Storytime that closes out Season 3, Kris and Lauren analyze each other’s profiles! Lauren chose their Tinder profile and Kris went with Hinge.

Lauren’s profile highlights include: Many hairstyles, a non-beach beach, a not-Moroccan French restaurant, adrienne marie brown, and the challenge of representing yourself as a genderqueer person in a dating profile. Overall, Kris suggested Lauren delete a couple of photos and wanted more music specificity (doesn’t she always suggest that), but otherwise A+!

Kris’ profile highlights include: Kick-ass live karaoke, a laser-eyed space bunny, wearing glasses, impressive shoe identification, and selfie variation. Overall, Lauren wanted Kris to be more specific about her travel experiences and karaoke wishes, but not too shabby!

In this episode of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss a woman who invites you to join her and her boyfriend for playtime, and a self-aware woman who could probably kick anyone’s ass.

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: An absent boyfriend, tropical drinks, vacant stares, STI stigma, curious wig choices, and a strong narrative setting expectations. Overall, the half of the couple we see looks appealing and we are comforted by the clear communication but we wish the boyfriend had at least some presence.

Kris’ profile highlights include: Luscious patriotic lips, big guns, big dogs, and big hogs. An inviting profile includes matching pictures and explicit reference to healthy relationship green flags. Overall, this profile shows self-awareness, openness, and interest in making connections across political and social lines. What a pleasant surprise! We wish we could all grab a drink and shut down the bar.

In this episode of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss an Olympic-level Cuddler and a guy who doesn’t give a shit about his profile. At least we hope he doesn’t..

Kris’ profile highlights include: Some great legs, gratuitous lakes, and fantastic cuddling-focused consent practices. We also discussed our font issues and realized we could recognize this guy by looking at his pecs, but not his face. Overall, we were left pleased with the commitment to consent and curious about the role of gladiators in this fella’s life. Kris has swipe left regrets and Lauren concurred. 

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: Seatbelts, declarations of vaccinations, a disheveled look, and outdated Bluetooth devices. Overall, this profile left us wondering why this guy even bothered putting up a profile.

In this episode of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss a guy who buddies up with Conservative politicians and a queer femme who thinks All Cops are Bastards.

Kris’ profile highlights include: A discussion of the Ford politicians in Ontario, delicious tacos, cheap beer, 1980s telephones, and an awkward use of a child in a photo. We also learn about Lauren’s deep dislike of birds as pets. Overall, we think this profile represents the person well, but he’s not for us. It’s come to this.

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: The challenges of under boob sweat, a debate over a harness vs backpack, a suspected fib about how old photos are, and hotdogs and pens on beanies/toques. Overall, this profiles shared clear political values and sexual interests and overwhelmed us with the volume of attractive photos (minus the boob sweat photo).

In this episode of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss two couple profiles with very different approaches to finding their third. 

Kris’ profile highlights include: Lauren’s affection for sunburst photos, too many close up selfies, questions of consent, and the role of a “bf.” Overall, this profile left out more than it included. Hard pass.

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: An 80’s air-brushed horse mural, a disembodied corset, Midwestern middle-aged kink, GGG (good, giving, game), and how to follow-up on an overly personal question. While Lauren swiped right out of curiosity, the subsequent conversation made them pause.

In this episode of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss a man who likes tight shirts and everything else, and a femme-presenting queer who loves to dye her hair.

Kris’ profile highlights include: Toque vs beanie, waiting room vs dressing room, an unspecified porcelain object, and too many interests. Overall, no amount of chiseled jaw and salt and pepper beard could make up for his generic “I like everything” paired with whatever the hell that object was.

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: all the hair colors, art that challenges body norms, and a profile whose pictures match their description! The carpets matched the drapes! Huzzah! Overall, the profile was playful, politically savvy without going negative – we give it two thumbs way up. 

Dr. Kris would like to point out that she spelled “toque” incorrectly during the episode. She apologizes for not being Canadian enough yet. 

In Season 3, Episode 4 of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss a DTF bi femme and a consistently surprised woman. 

Lauren’s profile highlights  include: Open mouths, chest size, the male gaze (Kris and Lauren get a little academic here – bewarned!), signaling to queer folx, T-shirt logos, and the sexualization of bisexuality. Overall, the profile left us questioning whether this woman is online for free or paid dates.

Kris’ profile highlights include: More open mouths, space cats, free calendars, exploring one’s sexual identity, and creating a coherent narrative in your profile. Overall, the profile left us completely confused.

Kris’ profile highlights include: Our annoyance around sunglasses in profile pics, different hat styles, extreme close-ups, passive lifestyles, and the benefits of expressing what/who you are looking for. Overall, the profile didn’t exactly inspire us, though it did have some highlights. Once again, we plead online daters to think about what each photo adds to your profile!

Lauren’s profile highlights include: Overly posed pictures, writers who refuse to write, questioning people’s love of hiking, catfishing, and how we give people more credit when they are very attractive. We slip in a few sex ed stats, too. Overall, the profile reveals our gender biases and our wariness as to its authenticity.

In Season 3, Episode 2 of B4 U Swipe, Kris and Lauren discuss a trans person with specific desires and a woman who managed to capture both of our hearts.

Kris’ profile highlights include: A T4T (trans for trans) “perv” in an inspirational porta-potty, pickles on parade and food as conversation starters (or perceived threats), and considerations about trans disclosures/vulnerability in dating and possible double-standards on nudity in profile photos. Overall, the profile was well-designed to reach a really specific trans, queer, kinky community but we questioned consent practices.

Lauren’s profile highlights include: Praise for dynamic short narratives, successful mirror body shots, badass hula hooping, and search bar silly academic heartbreak we relate to. Discussions of traveling/long-distance dating in profiles. Overall, the profile photos and narrative told a successful story of their openness and playfulness.  

Welcome to Season 3! Following our Season 2 opener, Lauren explored another new app - this one a sex positive couple and singles focused app named Feeld. In this episode we discussed quality inclusive community norms, compared patterns in profile content, the value of consensually linked partner profiles, and revisited our uncertainties about how much to disclose about our kinks and preferences. Also, a surprise reappearance added to Lauren’s excitement about this app.