As a somatic sex coach, Maxine Fischer of Body Beloved Coaching sees firsthand what dating culture is like and the common issues that plague those seeking sex and love.

Based in Victoria, Fischer, who has helped people embrace sex positivity throughout her adult life, has found that West Coast communities all tend to have sex-positive cultures.

害羞草研究所淚 see a lot of people exploring alternative relationship styles and a huge acceptance of different ways of being. Many people come to the coast because they want a more authentic way of life,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淢y practice as a sex educator and coach has been busy. I would say that also speaks volumes to people害羞草研究所檚 desire to create a more sex-positive experience for themselves.害羞草研究所�

But while B.C. may offer a more sex-positive culture compared to some other places, it remains true that dating has never been deemed easy, no matter where you live.

A big challenge of dating in our modern times is the changes in expectations for romantic relationships, Fischer said.

害羞草研究所淔or those seeking partnership, I see a desire to be met on a spectrum of levels 害羞草研究所� emotionally, sexually, intellectually, spiritually. With the breakdown of village, we are seeking partners who will fulfil more and more of the roles that a whole community once served.害羞草研究所�

Unfortunately, this comes in opposition to the short attention spans that online dating promotes, Fischer said.

害羞草研究所淲e want deep compatibility but online culture can create a gap of disconnection that害羞草研究所檚 hard to bridge. It害羞草研究所檚 easy to get caught up on a person害羞草研究所檚 stats and miss out on how they actually feel to be with and whether or not our values are compatible.害羞草研究所�

Nearly half of single-and-looking adults turned to online dating in 2022, a survey by Pew Research Centre found. The most downloaded dating apps on Google Play are Tinder and Badoo, followed by Bumble, Plenty of Fish and Grindr. Other popular apps include Boo and Hinge.

Overall, respondents were divided on whether using dating apps was a positive or negative experience. Only half (53 per cent) said they have had a somewhat or very positive experience.

Fischer has heard first-hand from clients who have had negative experiences.

害羞草研究所淚 work with a lot of men who get disheartened by online dating,害羞草研究所� Fischer said. 害羞草研究所淚 see it as a kind of marketing game when supporting someone to set up a profile. Many people don害羞草研究所檛 have a sense of how to do that in a way that feels authentic.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淥nline dating can be especially challenging for introverts and people who are slow to warm,害羞草研究所� she added. 害羞草研究所淔or those with low resilience, it can be a hard blow to self-esteem when they don害羞草研究所檛 get their desired results. I think people are more impacted by poor dating etiquette and ghosting than we admit.害羞草研究所�

While apps are unlikely to go away anytime soon, Fischer害羞草研究所檚 advice to find love in Victoria is to get off of them and participate in community events that spark one害羞草研究所檚 interest.

害羞草研究所淚 think in the wild can still be one of the best ways to meet people,害羞草研究所� she said.

Aside from deciding whether to be on or off the apps, another thing daters must navigate is deciding and communicating what type of relationship they want in an increasingly more open culture.

This applies to all age groups: the Pew Research Centre survey found that only half of adults 50 and older who have dated online in the past year cite meeting a long-term partner or spouse as a major reason.

On Tinder, around 52 per cent of Gen Z prefer monogamous relationships, according to a OnePoll survey conducted in 2023. On the other side, 41 percent are open to or seeking non-monogamous relationships 害羞草研究所� with open relationships (36 per cent) and hierarchical polyamory (26 per cent) being the most popular types.

Fischer anecdotally has seen a growing interest in polyamoury as a relationship model in Victoria. While not suitable for everyone, polyamory offers an alternative approach to love and intimacy, attracting individuals curious about exploring non-traditional dynamics, Fischer said.

害羞草研究所淎lthough it害羞草研究所檚 still not the dominant culture you see a lot of people in Victoria who are either practicing it or curious about it,害羞草研究所� Fischer said.

In essence, Victoria害羞草研究所檚 dating culture embodies a dynamic where individuals navigate the complexities of modern romance while embracing the principles of authenticity, connection and inclusivity.

As Fischer aptly suggests, finding love in Victoria is not merely about swiping right 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 about engaging with the community, embracing diversity and remaining open to the possibilities of human connection.