According to a recent Valentine’s Day survey conducted by Tinder, it was found that, for Gen Z’ers:

Not coaxed by Cupid’s bow: 40 percent believe that the holiday doesn’t mean anything, while 29 percent are indifferent to it. Of those who celebrate Valentine’s Day, 61 percent believe the holiday is meant to celebrate all the people in their lives, not just their romantic significant other.

Gal/Pal-entine’s Day: More than one in three prefer to be with friends rather than a romantic partner on Valentine’s Day.

“Netflix and Chill” just doesn’t cut it anymore: More than half prefer “exciting” dates in settings that push them outside their comfort zones.

English and professional writing senior Martha Spall said while Tinder makes online communication easier, it’s actually made it harder to interact with potential dates in-person.

“It’s so hard to meet people organically,” she said. “People don’t really take the initiative in real life.”

However, Spall noted apps like Tinder make it easy to be open with potential matches about what the goals of the relationship are — whether that be casual sex, a serious relationship or just friendship — and takes away the sting of in-person rejection.

“I feel like you’re both on board and know you’re both after the same thing,” she said. “It takes away a little of the risk factor of being totally rejected.”

Although Tinder is primarily seen as a romantic dating (or a hookup) app, other MSU students find different uses for it. Supply chain management senior Tyler Camp used it when he first got to college to network more easily and find new friends on campus.

He hasn’t had much use for it since joining a fraternity full of potential friends, but he appreciates the various non-romantic ways in which the app with a pink flame for a logo can be used.

“When I first came here my freshman year, I used it to get to know people,” he said. “It really depends on the person — I know people who use it for hookups, meeting people and some use it for relationships.”

With Valentine’s Day here, romance will be a prevalent theme of the week. Spall encourages her peers not to get lost with the romantic expectations of the day, but rather enjoy the concept of it. 

Spall was excited to spend Valentine’s Day with a significant other — whom she found on Tinder — and is looking forward to the day for the first time.

“I think it’s sweet to have a day where it’s expected that you’re thoughtful about each other and express your affection,” she said.