Swipe Right for Disaster: Tales from the Dating Trenches

Modern dating? It’s a wild ride. Ghosting, catfishing, $7,000 matchmaking scams—yep, we covered it all in our latest episode of The Meet Market. Our guest JC brought some much-needed honesty (and a few jaw-dropping stories) about what it’s really like dating in today’s swipe-happy world—especially as someone who’s experienced both Canadian and American dating culture.

First of all, if you’ve ever thought Canadians were nicer—turns out, that’s not just a stereotype. JC confirmed that dating north of the border has a very different vibe. While he says Canadians lean into emotional connection and kindness, American guys tend to be... a little more aloof. Not rude, just guarded. The result? A dating culture that feels more competitive, less collaborative, and way more confusing.

Of course, dating apps took center stage in our conversation. JC walked us through his Hinge era—because honestly, who hasn’t had one at this point—and pointed out the now-standard practice of having a video call before meeting IRL. Why? Because filters, fake profiles, and the occasional catfish have made it almost impossible to trust that anyone online looks like their pictures. It’s a brave new world where “Send me a selfie holding today’s newspaper” doesn’t sound that crazy anymore.

But things really took a turn when JC shared his experience with a matchmaking service that charged $7,000 for “unlimited dates.” Sounds fancy, right? Nope. He got a handful of dates that were so wildly incompatible, it made us wonder if the matchmaker was just picking names out of a hat. Lesson learned: just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. Especially when it comes to love.

We also got into the deal-breakers—the stuff you just can’t look past. For JC, that includes anger issues, lack of empathy, and being rude to waitstaff. Because if someone can’t say “please” and “thank you” to the person bringing them fries, they probably aren’t going to treat you with much kindness either. Respect is still hot, y’all.

One of the most surprising turns in the conversation? Lavender marriages. If you haven’t heard the term, it refers to gay individuals marrying someone of the opposite sex to maintain a heteronormative public image. JC and the hosts talked about how—even today—some celebrities may still feel forced to hide who they really are, especially in industries where image is everything. It was a powerful reminder that while dating apps have changed a lot, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to acceptance and authenticity.

In the end, JC’s stories were funny, frustrating, and deeply relatable. Whether you’re dating in the U.S., Canada, or somewhere in between, one thing remains clear: we’re all just trying to find someone who gets us. Someone who doesn’t ghost after three great dates. Someone who actually looks like their pictures. Someone who tips well and doesn’t test you like it’s a reality show.

So yeah—dating is still messy. But episodes like this remind us that we’re not alone in the chaos... and that laughing about it might be the best survival strategy out there.