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.

含羞草研究社淚 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,含羞草研究社� she said.

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

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.

含羞草研究社淔or those seeking partnership, I see a desire to be met on a spectrum of levels 含羞草研究社� 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.含羞草研究社�

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

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

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.

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

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

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

含羞草研究社淚 think in the wild can still be one of the best ways to meet people,含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淎lthough it含羞草研究社檚 still not the dominant culture you see a lot of people in Victoria who are either practicing it or curious about it,含羞草研究社� Fischer said.

In essence, Victoria含羞草研究社檚 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 含羞草研究社� it含羞草研究社檚 about engaging with the community, embracing diversity and remaining open to the possibilities of human connection.