Swiping Right on Reality: When Your Date Looks Nothing Like Their Pics

He’s 6'3", a Single Dad, and Knows Filters Are a Lie: Paulo Gets Real About Modern Dating

This week on The Meet Market, we sat down with Paulo, a globe-trotting agricultural expert, single dad, and man with some seriously wild dating stories. If you’ve ever felt like modern dating is basically a game of emotional dodgeball, this episode is for you.

Let’s start with the basics. Paulo is 6'3", emotionally available (yes, really), and the proud dad of a 7-year-old. After becoming a father, his dating priorities took a sharp turn. He’s no longer here for surface-level flings or red flag parades. These days, he’s looking for connection, without the drama or the emotional baggage from past relationships. As he put it, “I’m not your ex. Let’s not start there.”

One of the episode's juiciest topics was the great divide between dating app profiles and real life. Paulo didn’t hold back. He once told a date to her face that she looked nothing like her photos. It sparked a hilarious and painfully honest conversation about the smoke and mirrors of online dating. You know the drill. Overly filtered selfies, suspicious job titles, people who claim to be “5'10” but aren’t clearing 5'7” even in sneakers. It’s gotten to the point where trust has to start in the first five seconds if you're lucky.

Speaking of trust, that was a huge theme in this episode. Paulo’s approach is simple. Everyone gets a clean slate. No assumptions or projections, just two people figuring things out without dragging in old drama. It sounds healthy, right? Unfortunately, not everyone he’s met is quite so balanced. One woman, and we’re not joking here, literally framed his photo and put it on her wall after one date. She also watched him sleep and made up major parts of her life. So yeah, Paulo’s not just collecting passport stamps. He’s collecting wild stories too.

Another real moment came when we talked about dating as a single parent. Paulo doesn’t play around when it comes to protecting his daughter. No introductions, no casual hellos, no this is Daddy’s friend nonsense. Until he’s completely sure, it’s a no-go. That kind of clarity is rare and honestly refreshing. It’s not about being overly cautious. It’s about being intentional.

We also got into communication, or more accurately, the lack of it in most dating scenarios. From mismatched expectations to unspoken boundaries, Paulo pointed out what we all know but rarely say. Most people don’t actually talk about what they want. We’re all out here guessing, assuming, and hoping for the best when a little honesty up front could save everyone a lot of stress.

By the end of the episode, one thing was clear. Paulo may be navigating a minefield, but he’s doing it with heart, humor, and a no-nonsense attitude. He’s proof that even in a world full of catfishing, commitment phobia, and weird wall shrines, you can still show up, be real, and hold out for something meaningful.

So whether you’re single, dating, or just here for the crazy stories, tune in. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even learn how to date like Paulo, with honesty, confidence, and a really solid sense of personal boundaries.