This article was published on October 27th, 2020

COVID-19 – the iceberg 2020 hit. It has been a slow, painful descent from there. We are here to talk about luuurv and how to keep flirting fun in these strange times of six feet apart, OCD-levels handwashing, and crappy Zoom connections.

The pandemic is reshaping our love lives. It’s currently not safe or recommended have random hookups from Grindr or meet wantonly with potential dates. Indeed, if you don’t already have a boyfriend or aren’t married, your dating matrix gets even more complicated.

Despite all these challenges, you can still make flirting during the pandemic great again by following these simple, battle-tested strategies.

Make virtual dates fun again

Well, since we are making things great again, why not make ’em virtual dates great again?

It starts with a solid internet connection and smiling. Serious, the last thing you want while flirting is a choppy connection where the other person – potential soulmate, can’t hear a word you say. Also, they don’t want to see the sad forlorn you. It does not inspire confidence.

Treat virtual dates the same way you treat Zoom business meetings. Prepare, dress for the occasion, show up on time and smile. Also, grab a cocktail for courage and rock that remote date.

The eyes have it

The eyes are the windows to the soul. So said a wise guy somewhere.

With face coverings, mandated or not, to control the spread of COVID-19, your eyes are the only remaining flirting real estate. Use them.

Giving potential mates that smiley, flirtatious look. Let them know, beyond a shred of doubt that you feel them. At the same time, don’t make it weird.

Make it suggestive

Whether you are texting, Facetiming, or ogling guys, make it suggestive. Everyone has a lot to process right now. From the pandemic to the looming U.S. elections and our own personal lives, it’s overwhelming.

Being suggestive makes you unforgettable. You may just be someone’s highlight for the day and potentially land a partner. It also makes you interesting.

Cheesy does it

Pick-up lines still work. If you don’t have a pickup line, don’t bother with Google. Those lines have probably been overused and recycled for so long they don’t have any effect.

People, you are competing with a global pandemic, elections, and personal issues for attention. Make your pickup lines unique. Cheesy does it sometimes. It breaks the ice and sometimes results in good laughter (a good sing btw).

In fact, make it COVID-19 related.

Ask questions

Questions keep the conversation going, and interesting too.

For instance, ask about their COVID-19 precautions, about the pandemic’s effects on their lives.

Again, it doesn’t have to be all about the pandemic. Switch it up. The idea is to learn more about them, their plans and how they are coping with the pandemic.

Mutual check ins

Check on each other from time to time. With so much going on, it’s easy to lose touch with even our closest flirts.

Make these check in encounters fun and update each other on what’s going on in your lives.

Compliments people

Despite the pandemic, compliments still work, including virtually. A kind word might land you a date faster than a whole lot of other things will.

Compliment your flirt on something about them. For instance, an item of their clothing, their homes if you’re chatting virtually. It’s a great way to start and sustain a conversation and batters people up for the bigger asks.

Rediscover snail mail

Before you bring out the pitchforks and threaten to burn yours truly at the stake, hear me out. Flirting is about standing out. The guy you’re hitting on may have a slew of potential suitors sliding into the DMs spewing stale pick-up lines.

However, if you take the old school route, the odds shift in your favor. It sounds cumbersome and slow, but it’s fun and exciting. Plus, with the pandemic’s second wave and looming lockdowns, you’ve got all the time to sit down and write a letter.

The art of social distanced dates

Parks used to be prime guy-surfing spots, now, they are prime date spots.

With people scrambling to safely get in the steps, the parks have gained popularity. They also make excellent locations for a socially distanced date where you can stand six feet apart and do the walk-talk.

Bubble and smash

When flirting gets serious and you decide to take it a step further, it’s time for the bubble and smash.

During bubbling, you remain in your small social bubble for at least 14 days before your agreed smash date. You also continually check for any COVID-19 symptoms. If all checks out for both of you, you can still get a COVID-19 test and then you are ready for pound town. The culmination of fun flirting during this pandemic that just won’t go away.

You can date during a global pandemic

Flirting during the pandemic. You just have to find creative ways to keep it interesting and work with what you’ve got. As always, keep safe and take care of yourself and each other.