Gail F Winds
Guess what… She’s only gone and gone on another date!!!
“How?!?!” you ask. “In this climate? On these streets? How!?!?!?!”
WELL. I used… an app. Specifically, Breeze. #GenuinelyNotAnAd
I downloaded Breeze a while ago because a TikToker I like used it (big up @frankcydnie, icon). I was pretty reluctant initially, but then more and more friends suggested I use it as I can in no way, shape or form, bring myself to date from Hinge.
For those who don’t know, Breeze is an app where you are matched with people based on compatible traits, interests or hobbies. You are only shown seven new profiles every day to sort through. You can either choose to go on a date with or ‘not for me’ them.
Breeze suggests either a walk or drinks (which includes the first drink in your ticket price!). The latter is the option with which I was presented. As I say, I’ve had the app for a while – maybe a year? No one had really taken my fancy and I had clicked on it around 10 times in that year. It’s not giving serious dater. It felt hard to imagine going on a date without any conversation; it’s a daunting thought! But I received a date token after a glitch a while ago and felt inclined to use it up at some point. #thrift
So… I went on a date. DUN. DUN. DUN.
Once you match, you pay for the date to show your commitment and then you confirm your availability on the app, ticking and crossing times and days that work for you. Breeze finds a mutually convenient day and time and your date is confirmed via the app.
After that, you count down the days until the day before and then the location is revealed. You are not able to talk until four hours before your date. Told ya: daunting!
On the agreed-upon day and time, you rock up, give your names to the Breeze-certified reception at the venue and off you go to meet the possible love of your life. Chill, right?
My first Breeze date was lovely; he was very sweet and chivalrous. The conversation flowed and we had a couple of drinks at the #BreezeCertifiedVenue until going for a plod onto another venue. I called time at 10pm and train’ed home.
After the date, Breeze asks how it went. You rate the match out of five stars, provide some feedback about it, put a tick if they were nice, and then you choose whether to exchange numbers. The options are ‘yes’, ‘we already exchanged numbers’ and ‘no’. If you go for no, you can write a message to your date, or if it’s a mutual yes, Breeze says “yay they wanted to exchange numbers too!”. Lastly, if you put ‘yes pls’ and your date says ‘no ty’ it lets you know and says “here’s to a better connection during tonight’s Matchround”. Pretty solid outcomes all around I’d say.
Breeze is only available in certain locations, so do check if it’s in your city, but for me, I’d really recommend it if you struggle with small talk on dating apps, getting the conversation off the apps or just want to have a fun night out and meet someone likeminded!
If you can’t tell, I’m a Breeze fan (pun intended) and had a great experience doing something new. HOWEVER, I have since met critics who found that the app led to going on more first dates and having fewer second dates than traditional dating apps. So maybe think about what you’re looking for in terms of dating first.
The app penalises you if you cancel a date, and you can get shadow banned. I wouldn’t know anything about that since I’m committed to these men I’ve never met, but a hack for this (if you’re a criminal) is adding your availability way in advance and you can hope the other person cancels. This is great if you match but then regret it.
I think with this app it’s hard to get a sense of someone’s personality based on a profile. However, there’s no limitless pit of people, there’s no ghosting without consequences and…
I’ve actually had an alright result from it (I am desperately and head over heels in love), but more on that later.
Regarding my first date – did I see this man again? No. Have I thought about him since? Every day. Jks xxx
Or am I x
Baby come back x
