Have you ever had the opportunity to catch one of these dating shows called “Pop the Balloon or Find Love?” You can usually find them on YouTube or many clips floating around on social media. I love a good dating show, (nothing over-produced), as I’m naturally fond of human social interactions. Through time or episodes, I usually find things to make myself better, so that is always a plus. Nevertheless, there are dozens of these shows, most with the same name. Usually focusing on regional locations but, some have moved to more niche formats like plus-size women. That seems like a great idea for those who know what they want!
Ok, if you have never caught one of these shows, here is the premise….a single person comes out to a line of potential partners and they interact asking questions to see if there’s a connection. The line of potential dates has the option to pop their balloon at any time, for whatever reason. It’s exciting to watch but, it also makes me think: Is dating harder now than it used to be?
In today’s world, we are all more connected than ever with our social devices. Phones, apps, and social media help us present ourselves to the world but, the funny thing is even though we can talk to someone across the globe, it just takes a lot more to really connect with people.
I’ve thought about this at length and I concluded one reason might be that we’re so used to texting or swiping screens, that we forget the art of face-to-face conversations and what’s required to make them great. It almost feels as if we have this great power to socialize but, usually use it in the wrong fashion. Dating shows like Pop The Balloon Or Find Love give its viewers a peek into what happens when we people put their phones down and try to connect in real life, not social media life but, Real Life. There are plenty of frustrating moments but, if you’re open, it’s an interesting watch.
A cool thing for the participants on these shows is that they get a chance to learn about themselves and how other people may see them, objectively or unobjectively. It’s like going on a mini date, having it recorded so if need be, you can go back and see if anything was off, or recapture that great moment. You might notice things like, “I was talking fast because I was nervous,” or “I should have asked them about this or that.”
But here’s the big question: Can these dating shows really help someone find love? Perhaps. One of the more popular ones hosted by Arlette Amuli and produced by her husband, BM, has helped connect a couple who are currently engaged. I’m a bit more biased to their version of Pop The Balloon as they seem more refined from productions, participants, and professionalism than I’ve seen from other shows.
So what can we learn from Pop The Balloon Or Find Love and other offspring like it? Dating in today’s digital world might feel tricky sometimes but, it’s full of opportunities. Surely 20 years ago, these self-produced shows couldn’t exist on the level they are today. Whether you’re chatting on your phone or popping balloons on a show, the key is to stay open, be yourself, and remember that relationships are about a connection, not likes or comments.
What do you think? Would you ever go on a dating show to find love? Let us know in the comments!”
