QUOTE(Hoka Nobasho @ May 13 2021, 12:05 PM)
DO NOT USE DATING APPS if you are NOT good-looking. I am serious.
I beg to differ -- no harm trying as long as you play it safe:
- COVID-19 SOP (social distancing, masks on whatnot)
- dating SOP ("if it is too good to be true, it probably isn't." Meet in public places with people around, don't create a situation where the both of you might end up alone and get robbed/scammed/violated)
Dating app isn't for everyone, and every person has their own ways of dating - there is no one-size-fits-all strategy:
- If you're good at texting, it is a good platform to get started and earn yourself a good first impression.
- If you need time to warm up, then dating apps with time limit upon matching is not a good choice for you. Not everyone is comfortable with sharing their private contact information early.
- If you prefer meeting someone right off the bat, then find someone who also shares the same view as you.
- Ghosting/getting ghosted: while unethical, it is very common and it is a good place for you to realise that rejection is normal and you just have to suck it up and move on. It's where you learn to get beaten up inside, stand up and say, "next!" -- this also builds up your confidence if you take it with the right mindset.
- Some are looking for long-term, serious and committed relationship, while some others aren't. Be clear to one another about what you're looking for so you don't end up wasting each other's time. Don't bend your standards/values for someone you find attractive but have different core values with you, I don't think it'll end well.
If you tried and tried, analysed all your failures and realise, "okay, dating app is not a good platform for me because there are too many fakers and I am not good at identifying one", then it's okay to just give it up and look elsewhere. Just because you think it doesn't work for you, does not mean it won't work for others. In this time and age, in our culture where we frown upon strangers walking up to you and flirt, I think it's normal to try all means available to you to increase your chances of finding someone for you.
Lastly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally don't think I'm good looking, but apparently
someone found my head banging dance video "graceful"

I'm not saying to stop improving yourself and stay sloppy while hoping for a random person to pick you up and accept you as is -- I'm saying to keep improving and keep trying.
You don't like those acne on your face? Try consulting skin specialist/dermatologist.
You don't like your body proportion? Consider changing your diet and adopt a more physically active lifestyle.