"When it comes to hooking up, millions of gays now prefer to order in. Thanks to Grindr and other geolocation apps, the friction of stepping out into the real world and meeting a potential partner or fling has been replaced with the much easier activity of perusing the grid. But all of this scrolling comes with a price, both social and financial. With gay spaces shuttering and Grindr charging increasingly expensive membership fees, there is a clear cost to convenience. Still, ease usually wins out."
"Kevin Caldwell and his husband say they spend about $700 per week (not a typo) on food delivery for themselves and their two young children. Working long hours at a marketing job in Atlanta, Caldwell says he doesn't have the time or bandwidth to cook. While he recognizes the drawbacks, the instant gratification outweighs any negatives. "I am so burned out and tired, I would rather just throw my credit card at the problem and delay that unhappiness until the bill comes," he said."
Geolocation hookup apps like Grindr reduce the friction of meeting partners by replacing in-person encounters with profile browsing, contributing to shuttered gay spaces and rising membership fees. Food-delivery apps mirror that convenience by delivering meals to the door while generating substantial financial costs and emotional trade-offs. A gay couple reports spending about $700 per week on delivery for two adults and two children, driven by long work hours and burnout. National data show nearly three of every four restaurant meals are eaten outside restaurants, and many users describe reliance on delivery alongside feelings of guilt.
Read at Queerty
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