Foodie Diary

Last weekend, I went out for ‘food’. After carefully selecting, I chose what seemed like a flawless dish for myself. Perfect height, a nice nose, and an impressive physique—just from the photos, it looked Michelin-star level. I was filled with anticipation and could envision a perfect evening.

However, the reality was rather nauseating. The incoherent conversation and self-absorbed behavior made me hold back my feelings while staring at that remarkably nose. And throughout the meal, his incessant switching between Chinese and English left me questioning why a fully native Chinese person would try so hard to imitate a Black accent. The final straw came when he loudly proclaimed his rapper dreams and forced me to listen to a painfully untalented demo. I pulled out my classic line: I need to go home to feed my cat. Of course, I only have a dog and no cats.

Suddenly, I noticed that as I get a little older, I’m beginning to value the subtle little details over just good looks. The moments that make me smile quietly in a shared experience. When I was younger, I loved “fine dining”—my biggest requirement was something visually pleasing. I wanted something that I’d want to eat at first sight and something that would make others exclaim, “What a feast!”. But now, I want that little restaurant of my own, where on the cusp of winter, I can push open the door feel the warmth inside.

Perhaps in today’s dating world, instead of putting on shoes that look good but don’t fit, we are increasingly turning inward to focus on how we really feel, and I think that’s a good thing.

Bumble’s 2024 report reveals an interesting trend: more singles are prioritizing emotional intimacy and self-care. Many are searching for emotional connections, not just physical attraction. Additionally, relationships with age gaps are becoming more accepted, challenging traditional views on age in dating. Moreover, people are rejecting the relentless pressure to pursue constant self-improvement and are instead embracing their current selves.

The reason I recommend this news is that it resonates strongly with my emphasis on emotional connections. I hope that by sharing these trends, I can encourage my readers and myself to reflect on what we truly want as winter approaches.