“I exist in two places, here and where you are.” This is how Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood described long-distance love. But is it really possible to date a person consistently without their physical presence? Virtual dating is the answer to all your woes, in case you are away from your bae or are too shy to meet them in person without establishing a solid connection with them.
So, what exactly is virtual dating meaning? And what are some virtual date ideas that can jazz up your long-distance love? In this exhaustive guide, we will touch upon the different aspects of this trend and help you understand how to plan and make the most of virtual phone dates and online dating experiences.
What Is Virtual Dating?
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Essentially, virtual dating meaning boils down to meeting and talking to your date online. In fact, this is the norm of getting to know a person on a dating app. It’s the best refuge for lovelorn introverts who wish to start a conversation before meeting someone face-to-face and for those hapless long-distance lovers who don’t get to meet each other in person regularly.
It could be anything from video calling your partner/romantic interest to having a romantic candlelight dinner with each other, albeit virtually. There is no dearth of virtual date ideas these days. When executed right, these can give mainstream real-life date ideas a run for their money.
How did virtual dating gain popularity?
Virtual dating has always been the preferred way introverts interact since the early days of chatting and webcam-flirting. Later, the COVID-19 pandemic made LDR dates the only way people could interact with their partners who were separated from them due to the sudden lockdown. Skype and Zoom suddenly became tools of sharing intimate moments with your bae.
A study suggests that virtual dates are slowly gaining prominence. And another very relevant study on the emergence of dating apps and online dating explores how these tools have “promoted new ways of meeting and relating to potential romantic and/or sexual partners.” So, this phenomenon is slowly overpowering the traditional ways of dating. Now that we know that this trend is here to stay, let’s explore the pros and cons of this new-age tool of meeting people.
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Pros and cons of virtual dating
Who is this trend of dating virtually meant for? Since introverts and shy people are already invested in the digital and virtual world more than in the real world, they are perhaps more comfortable with the idea of dating virtually too. But virtual dating also caters to those who can’t leave home due to a disability or those in long-distance relationships. However, it has its own share of disadvantages as well. Here are some pros and cons of this trend:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
1. Dating virtually offers the option of getting to know the person first before taking things forward. | 1. The lack of physical touch is definitely a major disadvantage of dating virtually. Some people need to actually feel their partner or date’s presence around them to have a good time. |
| 2. For many introverts and socially anxious people, going on dates in a crowded setting is an overwhelming experience. So, dating virtually, at least in the initial phase, seems like the perfect setup for them to express themselves freely. | 2. Some don’t know what to talk about on a virtual date or run out of virtual date ideas. |
| 3. People can talk about their feelings and priorities earlier on in the courting stage. This has made it easier for people to know and understand each other’s true intentions and make better dating choices before they meet or make an emotional investment. | 3. Many people may feel shy about dating virtually too. Many don’t know how to ask for a FaceTime date or avoid video calls at odd hours because they aren’t comfortable showing their faces without make-up. |
4. With this trend, distance is not an issue. This is a boon for long-distance lovers. If you have a decent internet connection, you could live in New York and date somebody in London. | 4. When people lose interest, they end up ghosting each other often. Often, people do not feel the need to meet and end things in a mature manner, as a simple ‘block’ |
25 Fun Virtual Date Ideas To Keep Your Relationship Thriving
Who says virtual dating can’t be fun? Just because you are not physically close to the person you’re dating, doesn’t mean you have to settle for the same one-video-call-a-day routine. To be honest, that’d get immensely boring after a while, and you may find yourself wondering why long-distance relationships are so hard.
To mitigate that risk, you need to think out of the box and come up with novel virtual dating ideas that reflect your willingness to make effort in the relationship. Allow us to help you get started with this list of 25 fun virtual date ideas to take inspiration from:
1. Cook the same meal
This is one of the best virtual date ideas. Find a recipe that you’d both like to try and keep the ingredients handy. Start a video call and cook together. This activity will bring you boundless joy.
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2. Set up a virtual movie date with synchronized streaming
Okay, so since ‘Netflix and chill’ is not possible, you can watch a movie with synchronized streaming instead. Pause the movie at intervals and discuss your reactions. This virtual movie date can truly add a lot of color to your mundane long-distance relationship. You can also choose a movie from your childhood or something that resonates with the two of you. This is one of the best virtual dating ideas.
3. Play an online game
This is one of the best online date ideas. Make use of platforms such as Tabletop Simulator to play games online with your virtual date. Online games work best when you have a Nintendo Switch.
Here’s what a Reddit user shared: “If you are into it, I find a lot of puzzle games are ideal for a virtual date, they are usually slow paced, so you can have a conversation while playing, they can be played together with a simple screen share, while still allowing both parties to participate. You could also look into different co-op games.”
4. Wake up together
Here’s a wonderful idea for a Zoom date: start your day by waking up together. So, you may not be able to wake up next to each other, but you can simulate the whole experience by setting the alarm at the same time on weekends. You can then get on a video call with each other after you both wake up.
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5. Read a novel together
If you both love reading, this interactive date suggestion is the best bet for you. You can try setting up a reading session date with your long-distance bae. Read chapters aloud to each other and discuss the characters. This is one of the best FaceTime date ideas.
6. Have an online dinner date
Find out what your partner’s favorite food is and order it in. These days, food delivery apps have made it possible to order food for a person staying in a different city too. So, you can order your partner’s favorite food for them and yourself and have an online dinner date with them. This shows you’re thoughtful and care about him.
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7. Record messages and send them
So, get dressed in your best clothes, sit at a place with good lighting, and make a cute video saying “hi”. You can share your daily routine too and send each other sweet nothings throughout the day.
8. Have a wine date together
Chuck the fancy restaurant. Have some homemade wine, poured into wine glasses, as you chat with your partner over a video call. Set the perfect romantic mood with some aromatic candles and some music. This is one of the finest virtual dating ideas.
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9. Set up an online sculpting date
Get a clay kit for yourself and ask your partner to get one too. Together, give your creativity a shape in a late-night sculpting session. Spice it up by making some kinky figurines or just play with your imagination. This is one of the best virtual LDR dates.
10. Watch porn together
Yes, intimacy can go for a toss if you’re staying away from your partner. But jazzing it up with your partner may not be that difficult. Try watching a steamy movie with them online and share your fantasies. This is one of the most sizzling virtual date night ideas.
11. Share playlists
This is a great long-distance virtual date idea. Music is a universal language of love. So, make a playlist with your favorite songs and share it with your partner. You can have your own musical soiree, listening to each other’s favorite songs. Set the tone with dimmed lights.
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12. Play a dirty truth or dare game
This is one of the best virtual dating ideas to spice up your life. Since there’s not much action between the sheets for those who stay apart from their lovers or spouses, virtual games such as dirty truth or dare can spark things up to a great extent.
You can try this:
- Ask each other dirty and revealing ‘truth or dare’ questions
- Experiment with fun dares
- Go for a strip-tease game to spice up the interactive date night
13. Make a travel itinerary together
You may be having a virtual date today but you can have all the fun in the world when you meet. So, why not plan ahead? Plan a backpacking trip to the mountains or a luxury beach vacation.
Sit down and match your calendars. Get on a Zoom date and conduct thorough research on the places you wish to visit with your partner and the things you wish to do. Include tourist hotspots and restaurants you wish to check out. Do this together and enjoy the fun of an anticipatory trip.
14. Organize a virtual dance party
Play all the dance tracks that have special memories associated with you two. Switch on those speakers and ask your partner to sync to the same tracks. Get together on a video call and dance your hearts out. This is one of the best virtual date night ideas and can easily be a great alternative to a visit to the disco.
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15. Join a cocktail making class together
Cocktail-making classes can be fun. So, join a class together and be a mixologist. You can also order in cocktail-making kits or watch instructional videos together to make tasty cocktails. This is one of the best online activities for couples who live apart.
16. Join a Zumba class together
Are you a fitness buff, and is your bae one too? Join an online Zumba class and explore your passion for fitness. Take pauses in between and compare moves. This is one of the finest online activities for couples and will add a zing to your mundane online dating sessions.
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17. Share a poem
Put your love down in words and read it aloud to your partner over a video/phone call. Be creative and add your own personal touch by revisiting the memories you’ve shared with them. This is one of the best Facetime date ideas.
18. Take a virtual museum tour
If you are an art lover and so is your bae, hit a virtual museum tour. Explore cultures and discuss artworks. There are many online resources that provide adequate information and virtual tours of museums across the globe, such as the Louvre and MoMA. This is one of the best long-distance date ideas.
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19. Draw each other
This one is one of the best online activities for couples. Try and send your partner a live drawing of them while you are on a call with them. This will create a bond and also make them feel great about themselves! Here’s how you can add some variations to it:
- Add a sexy tinge to it and draw them naked
- Throw in some challenges, such as “draw each other in a minute”
- Take turns drawing each other
- Add funny elements, such as quirky hair or outfits
20. Watch the sunset or sunrise together on call
Set a time and coordinate with your partner to watch the sunrise or sunset together on a call. Find the best spot, such as a park, a view point, or even your own terrace or balcony.
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21. Join a virtual painting class together
This is one of the greatest Facetime date ideas. You can join the same online painting class and try creating masterpieces. You can also create your own painting schedules with each other and make different paintings and share it with each other in real time.
22. Join an academic class together
Now, this one is one of the best long-distance date ideas, though a tad bit different than a normal date. This one actually helps you build with your partner and grow in the relationship. You can both join an online academic certification course together. It could be related to business, IT, or any other field that you both are interested in.
This will not only help you bond but also add on to your CV. You can even compare notes and take tests together.
23. Plan a virtual picnic in the park
Pack up a homemade lunch, find a cozy spot in your favorite park, and have a virtual picnic date with your bae on a video call. Here’s what you can do:
- Share your surroundings on call
- Ask each other questions on what they see around them
- Ask them to film or photograph moments and share them with you
24. Plan a virtual karaoke session
Get on a video call with your partner. Ask them to play your favorite music from a karaoke app/site and sing along. Join them and have a laugh as you mess up the lyrics. This can be a great bonding activity for LDR couples.
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25. Make a bucket list together
Do you often fantasize about doing things together as a couple? Like traveling to off-beat places and staying in a local house by the river? Or buying a house? Or having kids and doing all sorts of activities with them? Future plans and relationship goals can help people bond faster than anything else.
So, plan a bucket list that you both wish to check in future, and do that all on video call. This is one of the finest virtual date ideas for long-distance.
Key Pointers
- Dating virtually is the best bet for people who are introverts or are in long-distance relationships
- Though this type of dating can’t provide physical proximity and has the risk of you being ghosted, it is a boon for those who stay apart due to work or other commitments. It also gives people the time to know each other before committing
- Some great virtual date ideas are: making a bucket list together, sharing a playlist, joining a virtual class, watching a movie with synchronized setting, and enjoying virtual date nights watching porn together
Final Thoughts
So, is this trend of dating virtually here to stay? And do virtual date nights work as much as traditional date nights? We think, yes. Phone dates and video call dates are all the rage now. But this isn’t just a new trend. People have been dating through the internet ever since the webcam has come into existence. This dating trend is a god-send for socially anxious people, people who can’t leave home due to a disability or ailment, people in long-distance relationships, and introverts.
In spite of the drawbacks, such as the lack of physical touch, virtual dating offers the opportunity to talk and share thoughts before getting to see each other in person, making it easier for people to make the right decision. So, go ahead and log in…your soulmate could be waiting online…
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