‘I’ll pick you up at seven’: Dating memes for all people with first date jitters (July 30, 2026)

Giuliana Tiscioni • Writer

Jul 31, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

What is it exactly that people do to get a date?

In the last few years, it seems like dating has become a rare occurrence. Most of Gen Z doesn't date. Where is all that excitement going? How are people meeting each other? And most importantly, are people even meeting one another?

We're not sure what it is. Maybe it's the dating apps. When did human connection start to get thoroughly controlled by what happens on a smartphone screen? Maybe it's social media, where you can "meet" people you've never seen in person before, and hope they'll put a little heart in your story. We hear young people say that they got "ghosted", that they're being "love-bombed," and who knows what else. Connection seems to have been forgotten, and now what counts is how many people watch your Instagram story. No wonder people aren't dating. They are not even meeting.

What also seems to be getting forgotten is emotional responsibility. Not that there was ever much of that, but lately it looks even worse. The small-talk stage, the seeing-each-other stage, the "let's not put a label on it" stage… All excuses to dilate commitment to another human being. No one takes responsibility for their feelings or the feelings that they provoke in others.

We get it, to a certain degree. Having an emotion has been so chastised that it's not a surprise that people are afraid of being judged, rejected, or laughed at for simply being human. Maybe we should leave our prejudices behind and try to be honest and transparent with each other more often.

Perhaps we should try going back to basics. Going to a coffee shop and making small talk with someone; going to a bookstore and bonding over liking the same book; meeting someone at a friend's house. We won't necessarily do it to get a date or a partner, but just to start feeling more comfortable with having human interaction face to face and form a real connection.

For all the people who have partners or for those who are looking to start meeting someone, this heartwarming group of memes will make you laugh and feel seen. Happy meme-watching!

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