Should You Skype Before Meeting Up?

Inspired by a recent success story we received about using Skype to get to know someone before meeting up, we have decided to look into the pros and cons of using Skype before you meet in person.

Pros

Cat, whose success story inspired this blog post, said that using Skype before meeting up allows you to see someone’s mannerisms before you meet, which makes going on your first date “less stressful”.

It can also be a great way to see if someone matches up to their photos, or if that 90s haircut really was due to the photo being taken in the 90s.

In terms of practicality it’s a good way to get to know each other if other commitments mean that your calendar is full for the next few months and Muddy Matches’ customer service manager Jo pointed out that “It can be a good idea if the person who you like lives far away.”

However, Jo said that people “shouldn’t feel like they have to Skype each other or talk on the phone before meeting up, as it comes down to personal preference.”

Cons

If you live in a remote area and have a slow internet connection, using a video chat service such as Skype can be an irritating experience as you will constantly be shouting “can you hear me?”, closely followed by “how about now?”

Even if you do have a good connection, it is likely that you will experience some kind of technical problem, even if that means taking 10 minutes to adjust your camera to the correct height.

Some people can also feel like you are delaying the process of meeting up by using video chat, and many may feel awkward presenting themselves in front of a camera.

Muddy Matches co-founder Lucy said: “I’d feel uncomfortable using Skype as I hate seeing myself in the bottom of the screen talking. I’d prefer to meet in person as that would allow me to see if I had chemistry with the person. I don’t think I’d be able to detect chemistry online”.

In conclusion, whether you choose to use Skype before meeting up with someone is down to personal preference. Remember to keep safety in mind when communicating with new people. Never give your phone number or email address to someone before you get to know them through a secure site.