Introduction
So this set of observations is actually a combination of feedback and stories I’ve heard, rather than personal experience. In writing down the last set of trends I’d noticed in dating app profiles, I started wondering what others see from their particular perspectives. As a hetero male, I don’t get to (or want to) see the profiles of other guys, but plenty of women do see these profiles and do notice their own set of trends as well. As part of the exercise of putting this site together, I’ve asked others for feedback, and they’ve shared some of their own observations which I’ve put below, along with some commentary on the trends from my perspective.
The “Eiffel Tower” profile
Very similar to the “Macchu Picchu” profile type, except with the Eiffel Tower instead. Surprisingly I’ve seen pretty much none of these for women, but for guys it is apparently a thing. The impression seems to be that having the Eiffel Tower suggests that the guy in question is romantic or at least capable of romance, while also liking to travel.
The “Poser” profile (or “Peacocking” profile)
These are the clearly staged photos, which for guys is usually the good old gym selfie, the “I’m wearing a suit at a sports event” group photo or the “look at my expensive car!” photos. For each of these scenarios, it’s often a pretty basic message that the owner of the photo is trying to send, namely “I’m physically strong and fit” for the gym selfie, or “I’m sophisticated and would make a good provider” for the suit at the sports event or expensive car photo. In both cases those are merely extensions of very old and primitive traits, namely appealing to potential mates that they are a good match through physical prowess and ability to provide resources. This would also include the photo of a guy holding a fish (whether he caught it or not is another matter), which in a very literal way is trying to say “I can provide (food)”.
I like to think of it like a peacock, where everything about the male pretty much consists of “CHOOSE ME! I’M PRETTY!”.
The “Up Yours” profile
So I have no idea what is going on with these. Apparently guys taking a selfie or being in a photo while giving the finger is a trend on male dating profiles. I don’t have this on any of my photos because honestly, I just can’t see the appeal or why anyone would do this. What message is even being sent here? Best I can figure it is that they’re trying to project the old “bad boy” or rebel type of personality, which might appeal to those who like excitement? I’d definitely like to find out more about why other guys do it, because it just seems weird!
The “Mugshot” or “Serial Killer” profile
Ok, so I’ve seen this before myself for women, but it seems this is a rather common thing for guys to do on the photos in their profiles as well. These are the either expressionless, or sometimes downright grim looking photos people use, typically taken from the front with no smile, neutral expression and a glazed look in the eyes. Why do people do this? As far as I can tell it might be related to being guarded about displaying emotions. Otherwise it could just be a default look for people, or they simply just hate smiling in photos. Whatever the reason, having the mugshot look on your profile will nearly always do you no favours because it sends the impression that you’re boring and dull, or worse, a complete psychopath. Dating profiles are where you are meant to try and look natural. Save the neutral expressions for passport and driver’s license photos, where you probably won’t be in any mood to smile should someone be looking at them anyway!