Dating in Norway and Spain

Many Spaniards, Norwegians and Europeans in general have had to change their expectations, at least their methods, to flirt in times of pandemic. Many of us have had to spend much more time at home, perhaps having "home-office", or telecommuting. And this would perhaps be equivalent to more quality time together with your partner. But singles, bachelours, have not experienced it in the same way.

The places and the occasions to meet other people in person disappeared. We continue life with our digital tools, video-conferences, online classes ... But other physical social spaces have been banned. No reading rooms in the universities or libraries, you could not go to lectures in auditoriums, or to workplace or faculty cafeterias ... Those casual encounters, or presentations, more or less casual to an attractive person or someone who would call our attention or who could expand our social circles ... Not existing! Maybe that's why illegal parties have flourished.

It is not surprising that Tinder, Match, Happn, Badoo, eDarling, Grindr and many other APPs for more or less casual or long-lasting dates and relationships have become the refuge of many. The number of users has grown with significant numbers in both Spain and Norway, and most of the new users are in their twenties. In times of Covid, surely pick-up phrases like "Do you want to see my collection of toilet paper rolls?" or "I'm looking for a partner with toilet paper!" Heh-heh, nice and symptomatic elements of this time.

Anyway, the internet has changed the ways of dating, and the number of "candidates" is practically unlimited. I know that there are shy people who have even been emboldened by the digital tools, and who have learned tricks and ways that would take much longer to achieve in face-to-face situations. The guys and girls who would be freaking out or getting very, very nervous just being with a guy or a girl alone the first few times. And after the initial flirt ... the messaging, the emojis, the unwritten codes of this communication. By WhatsApp, Messenger Snapchat ...

There has been few or no opportunities for tempting bar dates in the last year. Although Spanish drinking-parties (botellones) have often been seen in the darkness of the parks and squares. And parties and dances without masks have also taken place in houses or studenthomes in Norway. Even in and around the quarantine hotels themselves in Oslo there has been a lot of partying. But that, that is illegal. Although surely there must have been physical attraction, some arrow of cupido flying through the air ... Perhaps the forbidden part of these festive meets is a bonus element of adrenalin and excitement to the pick-up game ...?