Take It Slow With Appetence, The World’s First “Slow Dating” App

Speed is essential to life in 2017. A quick internet connection is almost as important as heat and running water, and we swipe through potential dates faster than you can say “It’s a match!” Before you know it, we’re chatting, sipping lattes on the first date, and making it Facebook official.

But a new dating app wants users to take things slow - real slow - using the retro strategy of actually talking to each other to seduce matches.

Appetence, which is now available to download for free in the iTunes Store, believes conversation is your sexiest attribute. “True and long-lasting love isn't found through images alone,” reads the website. “On Appetence your details are completely private. Only you decide when to display your full profile and who gets to see it.”

After downloading the app, users are prompted to indicate a range of interests and preferences in things like music, food, movies, books, and pets. The app’s algorithm then pulls compatible profiles based on your interest and search settings.

So far, so normal. But that’s where things start to get interesting on Appetence.

Unlike any other dating service you’ve tried, Appetence does not automatically display pictures. Profile pictures are shown covered by a pattern that obscures the image. As matches begin conversing, they are given the opportunity to “like” the messages sent. With each like, a piece of the picture is revealed. Rack up 50 likes and your match’s full profile photo will be unveiled. They’ll need to rack up 50 of their own to see yours. Which means both of your chat skills had better be on point.

Some would argue that this slow approach is a reflection of dating in the real world, where we typically take more time to get to know each other before deciding a potential date’s fate. Others would say we’re superficial in real life too, and still judge any matches on looks (maybe before they’ve even had a chance to say hi).

Either way, it’s not hard to see the potential appeal of the Appetence approach.

"Unfortunately, our society today promotes relationships with increasingly fragile ties. 'Fast Dating' has made many women and men tired of not feeling special," Appetence founder Camilla Forsell told Mashable. "The conversations have become monotonous and similar, and having a 'Match' is no longer as exciting as the first few times."

She envisions Appetence as a place to be more than a picture on an app, where privacy is prioritized and deeper, lasting love is the order of the day.

But whether that’s the reality of Appetence remains to be seen. Singles frustrated with the superficiality of some dating services may find it’s exactly what the doctor ordered, while others may lack the patience to build an emotional connection with someone they may not end up attracted to.