From courting to catcalling: the evolution of dating

From a guy asking parents if he can date their daughter to now simply asking a girl for her Snapchat username, right after seeing her for half a second, there’s no doubt that the techniques for relationships have changed.

And it isn’t just boys. Girls do it, too.

Hutchinson Community College isn’t the only college campus where catcalling and wolf-whistling happens. There is, though, a concern with not knowing someone long enough to just go ahead and ask them for their number, or follow them on social media by chance and direct messaging.

Where does the line get drawn for guys or girls to ask for information without knowing the person beforehand?

Technology has seemed to take over for face-to-face communication. Is it because of enhanced technology, or is it just because now it’s just as easy as a quick text, social-media invite, or Snapchat request?

Sophomore Kelli Petri, from Meade, has some experience with getting hit-on by HutchCC athletes as a student trainer.
“I do get hit on often, but I am a very social person, so I will not be rude unless they give me a reason,” Petri said.

With Snapchat being a favorite source of contact for college students, Petri shared that she gets asked for her Snapchat and gets asked to share guys’ Snaps with other girls.

“I always refuse to give other people Snaps because it’s rude,” Petri said.

She admitted that although guys flirt, she also occasionally flirts, but her kindness can be mistaken as flirting to some guys.

“Friends who know me well know the difference between the two,” Petri said.

A male HutchCC sophomore, Derek Vanous, of Belleville, shared his views on Snapchat and how it has become so important in the students’ lives and to some is recognized as the newest pick-up line.

“Sure, it is true that Snapchat is a pick-up line, but it can be used for other reasons besides picking someone up”, Vanous said.

He described Snapchat as the new phone number, meaning that asking for a girl or guy’s Snap is equivalent to that of asking for a phone number. Vanous also said that he asks for girls’ Snaps, but pointed out that he too gets asked for his Snapchat username.

Talking face-to-face with one another in today’s world is not normally how people first contact each other. Instead, it’s mostly through social media.

“I would rather get to know someone face-to-face, but it’s just expected today that you use both options,” Vanous said.

With that in mind, college students expect that others feel the same way, making it harder for the interaction than the past generations had. Technology is advancing more and more with new means of communication. There are several apps that allow interaction without being in the same room, Snapchat seemingly being the well-known outlet on campus.

Brenna Eller

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