Why Saying ‘No’ to Video Chat on Dating Apps Is the Fastest Way to Look Like a Catfish

Image Credit, Gustavo Wandalen

Ah, the majestic modern dating landscape, where the art of “verifying your identity” is the new flirting. Ladies, let’s talk about why you should be thrilled—yes, thrilled—that a guy wants to hop on a video chat to make sure you’re not a catfish. Spoiler alert: he’s just making sure you’re not a stock photo from 2008 or someone with a fake accent named Kevin from “the IRS.”

Picture this: he pops up with that casual, “Hey, can we video chat real quick to verify?” And your response is what, “Oh, I’m just not ready for that level of commitment”? Girl, stop. It’s a video chat, not a marriage proposal. He’s not asking for a blood sample or your mother’s maiden name—just a quick peek to ensure you’re a human being and not a sentient chatbot from Azerbaijan.

And don’t hit him with that “I like to take things slow” nonsense. This isn’t Victorian England, where courtship involves handwritten letters delivered by carrier pigeon. If COVID taught us anything (besides the fact that people can hoard toilet paper like it’s gold), it’s that literally everyone knows how to video chat now. Your grandma? She’s running a weekly Zoom bingo night. Your dog? He’s accidentally started FaceTime calls by stepping on your phone. So what’s your excuse?

Dating apps even come with video chat features now—at no extra cost! You don’t have to give out your number, address, or social insurance number. It’s safer than walking into a gas station bathroom, and yet here you are acting like a blurry video call is akin to an FBI interrogation.

But here’s the kicker: when you refuse, you look like the catfish. Oh, you don’t want to video chat? Red flag. You’d rather stick to “mysterious texting”? Major red flag. You’d rather “just call instead”? 🚩🚩🚩 You’re basically screaming, “I’m a hologram from the future, and this face? AI-generated perfection.”

So, do yourself a favor. When a guy asks for a video chat, say, “Yes, please!” Throw on a little mascara, turn on your ring light, and prove that you’re a real person with a heartbeat. It’s 2024. If you’re not ready to video chat, are you even ready to date?