Tallahassee is known not only as the capital of Florida but also as a vibrant hub and home to young adults looking to possibly find their college sweetheart or the person of their dreams.
Members of Generation Zoomers (Gen Z) from all ages are on the prowl to give and receive love and to be a part of someone else’s future. The city of Tallahassee could be the start of a beautiful relationship or an interesting journey of dating ups and downs.
Dating apps can play a factor, whether dating in Tallahassee or elsewhere. Some students enjoy and swear by them, some vow to never use them again. Two Tallahassee students speak on their dating app experience in Tally.
“I used them my first year when I got to Tallahassee, not anyone currently. It’s an experience, to say the least,” shared Nathaly Vindel, a junior Political Science student at Florida State University (FSU). “I am more for long-term relationships with some sustenance, and a lot of the people are just down for a hookup. It skewed my vision of men in Tallahassee and college-aged men and what they stand for and their morals,” she added.
David Thomas, a pre-nursing student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), said, “I do occasionally go on a dating app and look around or browse; I don’t get on there and actually expect to meet people or make connections. I get bored.”
The Memphis, Tennessee native said the local dating scene is promising compared to his hometown. “There is definitely more of a dating scene here than back home because there are not a lot of queer people where I’m at. You don’t really see queer people loudly dating each other; here it’s completely different.”
The phrase “Ring by Spring” is popular amongst soon-to-be college graduates. It is seen as a cultural norm where university students (mainly Christian universities) aim to be engaged to their significant other before the spring or final semester of their senior year. Hadassah Brown, a junior criminal justice student at FAMU, and Niobahna Bryan, an FSU senior studying psychology and finance, shared their thoughts on the tagline.
“I have heard of people getting married before they graduate; I didn’t know they had a term. That is not important to me at all; I want a chance to live before I commit to someone, especially before I graduate. I didn’t know people still did that; I thought that was something left in the 1950s,” said Brown.
“I think it’s actually quite funny. I would rather get to know someone for a few years before marrying them, compared to “Wow, I met them in the fall, now springtime rolls around, and I want a ring,” Bryan said. “I think it also has to be kept in mind that some people are doing it to find a loophole in the “no sex before marriage” rule that some Christian people follow without it being a sin or seen negatively. People should get the time to know people before they make a serious commitment like marriage,” she added.
Dating through the hills of Tallahassee could be seen as a challenge, a bore, or a waste of time, considering the options available or displayed.
Alexis Burgess, a senior business administration student at FAMU, shared the differences between dating within and without the limits of Tallahassee.
“Very, very different. Over the summer, I interned in Virginia, and I went on a few dates. Those men actually want to get to know you and have fun. They took me to a museum; they took me horseback riding. Compared to here in this college town, these men think movies, food…, and you’re good. Personally, that is not good enough for me. Think outside the box,” said Burgess.
Sophomore psychology student at FSU, Jaquan Hale, gave a little insight on the difference between dating in Tallahassee and his hometown, Pensacola.
“In Tallahassee, it’s hard to actually date someone, mainly because a lot of people are still trying to find themselves while in college. Most people are just looking for a fling or someone to provide them with temporary happiness, whether financially, emotionally, or sexually. But in Pensacola, it’s mainly different because of the age gap. There are a lot more older people than younger,” Hale said.
Some students find it easier to juggle their academic, social, and dating lives than others. Some students completely extract dating while at their institutions. Those actively looking for a relationship could require more than attending your classes on campus or going to the student center. Sometimes, you must put yourself out there, explore, and be open to new experiences.
Whether you choose to use or not use dating apps, date casually, intentionally, or simply not date at all while in Tallahassee, know you are not alone on either end. All experiences from the Gen Z are valid and worth a read.
