How Gen Z is redefining first dates with honesty and safety

The idea of a first date is changing—and Gen Z is leading the way. According to Tinder’s Modern Dating Survey, young daters today prefer comfort, honesty, and emotional intelligence over old-fashioned dating clichés.
Tinder’s India Relationship Expert, Dr Chandni Tugnait, says, “Dating isn’t a game of guessing anymore. Gen Z daters are choosing honesty over pressure, clarity over confusion, and chemistry over checklists. First dates are now more about vibe checks than ‘perfect meet-cute moments’—and that’s a great thing.”
Safety is also a top concern. Over 40 per cent of Indian users worry about how much personal information to share. Tinder’s safety tools, like Photo Verification and Video Chat, help ease these fears. "A quick video call before meeting IRL helps ease nerves and build familiarity. Bonus: there’s no pressure to dress up," adds Dr Tugnait.
Clear intentions matter too. Around 60 perc cent of Gen Z users want to define the relationship early on. Tinder’s 'Relationship Goals' feature lets them share what they’re looking for before the first date.
Long-distance love isn’t off the table either. 73 per cent of young singles are open to dating someone from another city, and 63 per cent would even consider international matches.
First dates are also getting more social. About 34 per cent have been on group dates. With features like Matchmaker, friends can even help set things up. For Gen Z, it’s not about following dating rules—it’s about creating real, respectful connections, on their own terms.