A singleton was inundated when she demanded men send a 500-word essay applying to date with her - but is still looking for love. Lauren Kempton, 36, wrote a post on her Hinge dating profile as a "bit of a joke" - requesting anyone who wanted to date her had to send an application first.
Fed up of "horrendous" dating experiences after two years of being single, the mum-of-one asked men to "write a 500-word essay on how you will not waste any time". Lauren got several responses - including a stand-out application from one man who even made an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. Despite going on a date with the 'winning' match, she said it never took off and she remains single - and is now taking time away from dating apps.
Lauren, who works for a skincare clinic, said: "I've had mostly really bad experiences with the dating apps - the culture of dating online is shocking. I've had some awful dates, but mostly it's boring - the same old conversations.
"People might think asking for an essay was full-on of me, but it was really a bit of fun, I didn't expect someone to make so much effort. At the time it restored my faith in men - but I'm not really using apps any more these days.
"I'm putting my energy into other things and thinking 'if it will happen, it will happen'. But asking for an essay is definitely a good way of weeding out what you don't want."
After growing sick of being ghosted and flirty chats going nowhere, Lauren decided to set potential dates an essay challenge. Lauren jokingly put the application request on her Hinge profile for a laugh in May last year - but was shocked with the responses.
At the time, Lauren had been single for two years after the end of her 10-year relationship with the father of her little girl, now four. She said she got a few responses - but one was stand-out and landed himself a date.
He asked Lauren for her email address and wrote her a detailed essay - promising to "reply swiftly to messages". It also promised not to waste each other's time if there 'is no spark'.
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A portion of the essay read: "I would start by ensuring that any plans we made were kept to. This would also include indoor and outdoor date plans depending on the weather, time, cost etc (this includes agreeing to a Harry Potter Marathon)."
He added that he would "ensure that communication was prioritised, this includes contact methods such as, text, call, FaceTime - all of which can be done depending on Lauren's preferred method of contact".
In the 500-word essay he also said: "I am a big fan of knowing where I stand with people, if you like me, let me know, if you don’t, let me know. This would ensure that Lauren's time is not wasted on dating someone that there is no connection or spark with. This obviously works both ways, but the focus of this essay is regarding Lauren’s time."
It came accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation and after the pair matched they began speaking and arranged a date. Intrigued if a romance could blossom, she met up with him - but unfortunately it didn't go anywhere. Since then, Lauren, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, has mainly ditched the dating apps and is putting her faith in the power of the universe.
She said: "It got a few different responses at the time, but I've been single for three years now and I've not found something I'm ready to settle down for. At the time, the request did illicit some good conversations, like interviewing someone - because you're already saying you're not going to put up with time-wasters.
"It’s a good way of getting people to show their humorous side, and spend a bit of time making an effort. It shows you who they are and that they have read your profile and understand your humour. But I needed a new tactic so I'm not really on the apps any more. If I cant get what I want out of the apps, I figured it will happen when it's supposed to."
