Grammar Police: Navigating the Wild World of Online Dating

Image Credit, Markus Winkler

Ladies, if your profile photo screams “Stickler for Grammar,” get ready for a ride more bumpy than autocorrect trying to spell “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Let’s face it: texting isn’t exactly a Shakespearean sonnet. It’s more like a Jackson Pollock painting—random, messy, but somehow it works. Embrace the emoji; they’re like the universal language that transcends the need for perfect grammar. A well-placed or can say more than an entire grammatically correct sentence. Plus, they’re hard to mess up! And let’s be real, autocorrect will betray you at the worst moments. Instead of “I love reading,” you might end up sending “I love raiding.” Learn to laugh it off and move on.

Think of texting as fast food, not fine dining. No one expects a five-course, perfectly punctuated meal. Save the semicolons for your novel and just hit send. When crafting your profile, try to keep it playful. Instead of “I’m a stickler for grammar,” something like “I’m the kind of girl who’ll correct your grammar but still use ‘LOL’ ironically” shows you have standards but aren’t a total buzzkill. Give your matches a pass on minor mistakes. Sure, they might mix up “their” and “there,” but unless they’re writing “I want to meat you” (yikes!), let it slide. It’s about connecting, not conducting an English exam.

When someone sends you a typo, use it as a chance to show your humor. If they write, “Let’s go for coffee and desert,” reply with, “Sure, but only if we find an oasis.” You’ll come off witty instead of witchy. And remember, your profile isn’t your dissertation. Keep it light and engaging. Instead of “I have a penchant for proper punctuation,” try “I love grammar so much, I’ll even forgive a misplaced comma on the first date.”

The goal is to find someone who can appreciate your love for language without feeling like they’re in grammar boot camp. So, loosen up, laugh at the autocorrect fails, and swipe right with confidence! After all, dating should be fun, not a final exam. If someone can’t handle a playful jab about their misplaced apostrophe, they’re probably not worth the time you’d spend editing their love notes. So, go forth and conquer the dating world with your impeccable grammar, knowing that the right person will see your quirks as endearing rather than intimidating. And who knows? You might even find someone who can spell “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” without breaking a sweat. Cheers to finding love and proper punctuation!