Today, people look for love on dating apps. In 2023, at least 30% of adults in America said they've used dating apps at least once. But back in the day, you'd have to take out a personal ad in the local paper if you wanted to find love or reach out to a missed connection.
Also called lonely hearts ads, these short messages would often be quirky, romantic, and witty. But they could also be direct, morally questionable, and contain a whiff of casual sexism. Thanks to the Instagram page Long Lost Personals, today we get to see what folks from the '50s might've put in their Tinder bios if they had a chance.
So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and maybe you'll get some inspiration for your next conversation starter from these vintage Don Juans and Femme Fatales!
More info: Instagram
#2
1967. For your Sunday morning This is the closest I could find to the Sister Act soundtrack version. Now I feel like watching Sister Act.
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#3
Late 1980s-ish. A couple more personals from the bedsheets! I found an awesome set of vintage bedsheets with personal ads from New York magazine printed on them. Unfortunately they are twin size, so I can’t sleep in them unless I get a twin bed.
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#4
1995. Detroit vampires always trying to glamour you with their long letters.
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#7
2004. Fun to throw a missed connection into the mix every now and then.
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#8
1984. From Bay Windows, New England’s largest gay and lesbian newspaper.
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#11
1966. I knew there was an answer. RIP Brian, one of the great American composers.
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#16
1972. Taking a brief intermission from the personals section to feature some other types of entertaining classifieds. I very badly want to meet the person responding to the description “reliable, sensible freak person.”
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#18
1968. How are you getting to Mexico? Bike with Craig, aeroplane, or via Las Vegas by car with Al?
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#19
1967. I think this one actually might be CIA code. Published in a New York City counterculture weekly.
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