This post originally appeared on Bustle.
A sample of the questions I've received since joining Tinder in August: "Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?" "If you could have any super power, what would you pick and why?" "So, when are we banging?"
If you use Tinder, chances are your inbox has been similarly flooded with random questions. Since guys seem to have no qualms about their question-asking, I decided to get straight to the point and ask my potential matches a question that very much matters to me: "Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why/why not?"
Admittedly, I didn't have the highest hopes about the random men of the Internet. (I mean, have you seen the Straight White Boys Texting Tumblr? And don't get me started on that #WomenAgainstFeminism movement.)
The experiment: Initially, I only asked the question to guys I'd already been matched with on the app. But then, I decided to truly put my experiment to the test and swipe right on everyone. I figured it'd be a fresh slate, but jeez, it was overwhelming! I made the mistake of swiping through at least 50 guys in a row (so quickly that their photos didn't even have a chance to load) and all of a sudden, the red-orange dots began popping up in my messages like chicken pox.
I've rounded up 17 of the good, the bad, and the ugly responses from the 75+ males (ages 23-29) I asked one simple question: Are you a feminist?
Most guys called it an "interesting" or "random" question, but I appreciate this guy saying it's a great one.
HONESTY IS THE MOST OFFENSIVE POLICY
Well, that pretty much answers the question.
To answer his question, yes... I have been saying it to all the guys.
SWEATPANTS, HAIR-TIED. CHILLIN' WITH NO MAKE-UP ON.
Oh God. So many wrong things.
Silly rabbit. Equal rights are for everybody.
Huh? This continued into an even longer rant about how guys experience mistreatment too, like losing divorce settlements, or being "horrifically circumcised at birth." But I'll spare you from reading that.
EQUALITY & JUSTICE FOR ALL
No complaints here except that it's sad this is still a "controversial" topic.
Well, women might want to "drink, fart and cause mayhem" too.
Wait, is this the pot calling the kettle black, or... ?
Is he referring to Taylor Swift?
More of a feminist than not? Is that like being a fan of Lost?
IDK, you guys. I think I'm getting mixed signals.
SO SIMPLE, A CAVEMAN COULD UNDERSTAND
And I like my men un-tooled.
This one speaks for itself. Perhaps I should have lectured him, but I didn't feel like spending the energy.
As if his first response wasn't great enough, he asked about misogynists. I just wanted to give him a big hug through my phone screen.
Conclusion: For the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, many of these answers were horrible and ignorant, but a majority of the guys I talked to at least attempted thoughtful responses. I definitely didn't expect that, mostly because of Tinder's reputation. While there is plenty of sexism out there, it turns out not all Tinder males are scummy jerks. In fact, it seems that many men on Tinder even fancy themselves feminists.
Perhaps more troubling was the reoccurring theme that many men seem to believe in feminism, but are still uncomfortable using the label. Why are these guys still hedging their bets on the F-word?
Either way, this much is for sure: I will only be swiping right on men who are down with equal rights from now on.
Images: Jamie Primeau (18)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.