Can memes shape our perception of someone?

Picture this: you match with someone cute on a dating app—the conversation flows, the banter is fun, and after a brief exchange of common interests, you connect on social media. As you scroll through memes and reels, you notice their “like” on a particularly funny post. A smile creeps onto your face—they follow the same band as you! Another shared interest to talk about.If you were on the slightly obsessive side, you might spend hours tracking the posts they’ve liked, trying to figure out their preferences and desires. But you take the saner route—you send them a meme. Here’s the catch: what kind of meme do you send first? Decision paralysis hits as you search for the funniest, most charming meme that encapsulates your personality in one go.
That’s how powerful memes have become in modern dating. They shape first impressions, weed out red flags, and even make or break relationships.
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Joshua Thakur prefers to start with generic funny memes—something relatable or harmless. “If they respond well, I slowly push the boundary with political or even slightly politically incorrect jokes. The idea is to see if they get it and if we can actually have a conversation from there. If they vibe with it, great! If not, I know to dial it back,” said the advertising executive from Hyderabad.
Does meme compatibility matter in dating today?
According to Sonali Sachdeva, sharing memes and reels has become an everyday form of communication because it’s a simple way to say, “I thought of you!” When sharing memes with her partner, she makes sure they are highly relatable. “It could be based on something we’ve experienced together, a situation we both understand, or even an inside joke. I believe memes are a great way to connect, whether through humour or something more profound,” said the Communication Special.
Screenshot of memes being shared among partners (Source: Supriya Debnath)
Sachdeva enjoys a mix of lighthearted fun and emotional reels that carry deeper meaning. “Sometimes, words fail to express certain emotions, but a well-chosen meme or video can say it all,” she said.
She also believes the memes her partner shares help her understand him better. “For example, if he frequently sends me music-related videos, it’s easy to tell whether he connects with music on a professional level or is just a passionate lener,” she said. For her, memes are reflections of personality, emotions, and connection, not just casual exchange.Story continues below this ad
Can memes shape our perception of someone?
Prakriti Bhat believes memes have become an easy compatibility metric. “In my previous relationship, memes played a small but significant role in understanding each other,” she said.
After her breakup, she started seeing someone who would send light, breezy memes that didn’t need crass language to make her laugh. “He sent memes he thought I would enjoy. It wasn’t just about him. It was about building a shared sense of humour and connection. I’d also send him memes I didn’t necessarily find hilarious, but I knew he would. If he liked a certain show, I’d send him memes about it—even if I hadn’t watched it myself,” she said.
However, Siddhi Jojare has a different view. “I don’t think meme-sharing should be taken too seriously. You barely know the person, you’re just interested in them. Judging someone based on that is stupid,” she said.
Screenshot of memes being shared among partners (Source: Supriya Debnath)
Jojare also shared that some people she was interested in had tried to drop hints or pass messages through memes and reels, which she attributed to their “character and negative intentions.”Story continues below this ad
“Dating is like a game where everyone tries to find their best match. Some people mould themselves into something they’re not. Since memes reflect our maturity and understanding, people often follow and share content that represents them,” said Supriya Debnath.
For him, humour is essential, but being socially aware is even more so.
“I wouldn’t take a meme lightly if it touches on serious social issues like casteism, racism, or LGBTQ rights—unless it treads that fine line between being funny and offensive,” said the Bangalore-based public.
What’s The Vibe? is our new bi-monthly series on Gen Z, which questions everything that makes this generation tick. Next week, we’ll explore how Netflix’s Adolescence shows the hidden online dangers teens face today, given the lack of content censorship that can lead to online radicalisation.