Hi, I’m Mimi—34, female, living in Dublin. I date men, usually ones who can spell properly (low bar, I know) and ideally don’t still live with their mam. Like most of us, I can rattle off a list of what makes a dating profile a total disaster—bad mirror selfies, fish photos, or bios that just say “Ask me.”
But when it comes to actually swiping right? That’s where it gets nuanced. What I consider a must-have in my Mr. Right is deeply personal and might be very different from what you find attractive, so consider this your gentle disclaimer: this list is highly subjective.
As luck would have it, just last week I came across a profile that perfectly captured what I find intriguing (and trust me, I don’t swipe right often). It was such a great example of what draws me in that I had to share.
So, fresh from the dating trenches, here’s what works for me.
1. The “I want to know your story” photo
But not in a “he-looks-like-a-Hugo-Boss-model” way, more like: this person has an interesting life and hobbies, showing that he has some substance and personality. Think a photo from a hiking trip, a candid shot from a music festival, or during a boxing match (the only exception is Gaelic football photos, because every single male in Ireland plays GAA, and it can turn out to be a red flag).
I travel a lot, so my potential match must also be a traveler, but not the “all-inclusive resort in Tulum” type. I’m talking campervan-through-Morocco energy. Bonus points if he’s comfortable in front of the camera because, let’s face it, this man is going to be your lifetime photographer. Choose wisely.
Now that’s what a profile is: an effortless photo from Paris (I need to find that bench, the angle is so good), and talking about traveling in a caravan. Scoring points as we speak.
2. The “tell me what you’re after” bio
If his bio is just a list of his name, age, height, and star sign… what are we even doing here? That tells me absolutely nothing about his intentions.
These days, I only swipe on men who clearly state what they’re looking for, and if that aligns with what I’m looking for. No matter how attractive or seemingly interesting a guy may be, if his bio says he’s not interested in long-term relationships, marriage, or a life partner, I’m not hopping on that train.
In this case, our intentions align.
3. The “there’s depth here” prompts
Prompts share a tiny glimpse into his world. A Sunday routine. A dream travel plan. Relationship values. To me, a well-written prompt says two things: he has some depth, and he cares.
For example, “I want to live with a native tribe in the Amazon for a month” is far more appealing than the vague “I want to travel more.” Similarly, “Weekend plans: hiking, gym, walking my dog, cleaning, laundry, walking my dog” paints a fuller picture than the single-word classic: “pints.”
But don’t be fooled! A whole new genre is emerging: AI-generated prompts. I work with AI daily, so I know a ChatGPT-written prompt when I see one.
If his prompts sound suspiciously polished or hit every “perfect answer” checkbox, they probably weren’t written by him.
4. The “we could actually do life together” vibe
This one may seem obvious, but I swipe right on men whose hobbies and lifestyle genuinely align with mine (not the aspirational version they write in their profiles).
I’m a surfer. I spend most of my life in or around the water, don’t mind sleeping in a van, wake up early, drink occasionally, and hate cigarettes. So no, I’m not swiping right on someone whose profile picture is them smoking in a pub or whose passion is Netflix.
I’m long past the days when I thought I could “convince” someone out of their lifestyle. Now, I want someone who naturally fits into my world and contributes to my growth, rather than stifling it.
Bonus points if he’s the kind of guy who posts photos from Pride with his friends or spends weekends walking dogs at the local shelter. Those are the men who show me we’d actually do life well together.
5. The je ne sais quoi factor
I can’t quite put it into words, but some people just have a vibe that pulls you in. We all have that “one type” we instinctively respond to, and no, it’s not always a good idea to mindlessly follow that instant attraction (hello, trauma response). But it’s real.
For me? I’m drawn to ugly-handsome men, the ones who dress a little peculiarly and stand out without trying. I like tattoos. And I like cheeky, confident men. Those who, for example, admit that cooking isn’t their top skill 😉
The Ultimate Swipe Right Truth
It won’t surprise you: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to attraction. But there are general directions to follow: pay attention to what truly matters to you and don’t let a perfectly curated photo override your deal-breakers. Because it doesn’t matter that he looks like Brad Pitt if his prompts are littered with sexist comments.
