The History Of Dating
With online dating becoming a normal part of our everyday lives, have you ever wondered what dating was like in the past? We’re talking before swiping, online messaging and mobiles. Yes, even before Cilla Black’s Blind Date… How did singles meet each other wayyy before JustSingles?
Georgian Dating
From the mid 1750’s to the early 1800’s – if you were a woman you couldn’t vote or gain custody of your children should you divorce. This put more pressure on finding a compatible and upstanding man. If you were a wealthy woman with status you could attend debutante balls – to meet equally wealthy men. For everyone else there was the opportunity to place a lonely hearts ad in The Times. Think of this as the earliest form of dating profile!
Victorian Dating
The late 1800’s brought a new twist to relationships and marriage. If you were an engaged Victorian woman who got dumped before your wedding – it was like winning the lottery! That’s right. In these times ‘jilting’ or calling off an engagement became a ‘breach of promise’, therefore women could sue their exes for damages. Before you call your lawyer about all your exes, you’re a bit too late. Sadly, this doesn’t exist in the UK anymore, but it’s still a thing in the US. In 2013, a man was ordered to pay his fiancé $50,000 (around £40,000) for breaking their engagement!
90’s Dating
In the 90’s, two TV characters changed the world of dating forever. They were Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex And The City and Bridget Jones. Sex And The City was the most candid and straight-talking dating show that there ever had been before. Women started to see dating as more of a pastime than a chore. Then Bridget Jones came along and allowed women an excuse to date into later life. The dating industry as we know it was born…
The Future Of Dating
Nowadays, it’s all about dating on the go! You don’t even need a computer to get yourself a date. There’s a whole world of singles accessible from just a few taps on your phone. Dating is also getting personalized, there are sites out there for whoever takes your fancy, whether that’s a teacher, a ginger or even a smoker. Our lives are becoming busier and faster with access to more choice. Our prediction for the future? Dating gurus! Like a personal trainer or life coach, but an online dating coach instead… What do you think? Would you hire one?
Got any predictions or comments about today’s dating industry compared to days gone by? Leave us a comment!
Until next time,
The Just Singles Team
