It’s another guest post from Matthew P!
Look at that gif. That’s my face upon hearing that there is another dating app hitting the market. At this point, on DFS, we’ve got accounts across OKCupid, Hinge, Tinder, 3nder, Bumble, MyCuteFriend, 420singles, Match, eHarmony, Zoosk, PlentyOfFish, FarmersOnly, Bristlr… You get the idea. So when I heard about Happn, I thought to myself, “Dear god… what could this app do for me that I don’t already have being done?!” Turns out, a lot.
Happn is a smartphone app that works a bit like Tinder in that it matches you with people in your area. The large difference here is that Happn matches you with people in your immediate area — as in people you pass on the street. When opening the app, you are presented with an array of folks you’ve crossed paths with, each with a little x and heart beneath their profile pic. You pick the ones you like, and if you both like each other, conversation is opened up for the two of you. It’s a familiar formula, but somehow the proximity element sets it apart. Maybe you’re at a large concert, and are browsing the folks in the area… maybe you see that fly honey or fella on their way into the office next door to yours everyday… Well, now you can see that you’re crossing paths with that person, and try your luck with a heart.
Happn notifies you an approximate location as to where you and the person crossed paths, but does not get down to the specifics (presumably to avoid creepiness… which, I mean, isn’t ENTIRELY avoided… it’s still creepy.) It even notifies you above the person’s profile how many times you two have crossed paths. One woman and I have crossed paths five times in San Francisco. I’ve clicked heart, but apparently she is not as enthused.
Annnnnd, here’s where the app gets a little weird. After clicking LIKE on someone, you are given a new option: CHARM. Using a credits system, you’re able to spend one to CHARM the person, sending them a notification that HEY, I’M INTERESTED. If they don’t respond to that charm within 24 hours, you can send another. Once you’re out of credits, you can’t charm anymore until you re-up via purchasing more. I understand that this is a way to monetize their app, but it lends Happn a more Zoosk feel of sleaze and pushiness.
Overall, Happn has done it. They’ve found a fresh spin on the proximity dating formula, and have executed it well (I’ve yet to experience any bugs or glitches in the app, which is more than I can say for a lot of the others.) It suffers a bit from the app cash grab feel, but can be used without those features being utilized. We here at DFS recommend giving it a whirl, and start locally sourcing your dates.
Matthew P is an author, artist, writer, performer living in Oakland, CA.