November 5th 2024.
Jess Hobbs is on a mission to find love without the help of dating apps. As someone who has experienced the exhausting and often disappointing world of online dating in London, Jess knows all too well the struggle of finding a meaningful connection.
The dating scene in London can be described as nothing short of a nightmare. Singles often use a plethora of adjectives to convey the crushing hopelessness they feel when it comes to finding love in this city. From endless ghosting to mediocre first dates and swiping through countless profiles on apps that promise love but rarely ever deliver, it's no wonder that many people in their 20s and 30s are simply fed up with it all.
Jess is one of those people who has had enough. So, she has taken matters into her own hands and set out on a mission to meet someone in real life. Every Thursday, she documents her journey on TikTok, where she visits a new pub or potential meet cute spot in London in search of her dream man.
Gone are the days of Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. Jess is determined to find a hot date without the help of dating apps. Her first episode on TikTok has already garnered over 250,000 views, with countless singles rooting for her and empathizing with the sorry state of the British dating scene.
Jess explains, "I'm going to document every pub I go to, if there's cute guys there, what the energy is like, and if I have the guts to talk to anyone. And who knows, maybe a date will come out of it."
With each episode, Jess takes her search to a new pub or event in London. Her first attempt at The Alpaca in Islington was not successful, with a noticeable lack of eligible bachelors. But Jess laughed it off and said she was off to a "terrible start."
Undeterred, Jess continued her search at Borough and even grabbed a bite at a Greek restaurant called OMA. She declared, "I'll do whatever it takes to find a cute man in real life." However, her efforts were in vain as nothing came out of that night.
For her third attempt, Jess went to a house party in East London, but unfortunately, there were no potential love interests in sight. Feeling a bit discouraged, Jess tried her luck at a lunchtime experiment in Bank, which also proved to be unsuccessful. But she didn't give up and headed to The Royal Oak for her fifth episode, where she sat at the bar in the hopes of appearing more approachable.
Her sixth episode took her to Exmouth Market, where she bar-hopped in search of a hot date. This night proved to be the most promising yet, with Jess admitting, "There were quite a few cuties, and there was one where I thought, 'Yes, I'm going to go out with him.'" However, after her friends vetted him, it turns out he wasn't quite her type.
Despite her less than successful attempts, Jess continues to receive tips and support from her audience. Many people have suggested different spots in London where she could potentially meet someone, such as Broadgate Circle near Liverpool Street, The Westbourne in Notting Hill, and The Jamaica Wine House in Bank.
TikToker Maria shared her personal experience, saying, "The Duke of York in St John's Wood after a match at Lord cricket grounds – full to the brim with what look like eligible men."
Jess's series has not only inspired others to share their tips and tricks for meeting someone in London, but it has also sparked a conversation about the effectiveness of dating apps. Many people have shared their own stories of giving up on dating apps and trying new activities to meet someone in the real world.
If you've been inspired by Jess's journey and are thinking of venturing out to a new spot in the hopes of meeting someone, there's a technique you can add to your arsenal that may increase your chances – lingering. Lingering is the idea of being more present and spending more time at your favorite places, increasing your chances of meeting someone organically.
International matchmaker and dating and relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan agrees that lingering can be beneficial for your dating life. She explains, "The more you put yourself out there in the real world, surrounded by people, the more likely you are to create opportunities for dating."
Sarah also emphasizes the importance of meeting someone in person, saying, "Meeting someone in person forges a genuine connection quicker, as you can see more of their character, personality, and way of being with others."
Jess's search for love may not have been successful so far, but she's not giving up. And with the support and tips from her audience, who knows, she may just find her dream man in the most unexpected of places. As she continues to document her journey on TikTok, her story serves as a reminder that love can happen in the most unexpected ways, even in a city like London.
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