Simply put, GEN is short for “generous”. The word “generous” refers to someone who is willing to give money or gifts in return for another person’s company or sexual favors. This usually takes the form of an arrangement or agreement between two people, although it can also be used in the context of online dating, where a wealthy man is looking for companionship from a more attractive woman.
On Grindr, users who are identifying themselves as GEN are typically looking for another user with whom they can arrange such an arrangement, so be sure to be clear about your expectations if you respond to a GEN profile. Never feel obligated to enter into a financial agreement if you feel uncomfortable—just remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
The Different Levels of Engagement on Grindr
One of the most common terms you’ll come across on Grindr is GEN. It stands for “general” and implies that a user is just looking to make general connections with other Grindr users. This means that they don’t necessarily want to meet up or go on dates with anyone in particular, but are generally interested in getting to know people and building connections.
Within GEN, there are three different levels of engagement:
- Friendly: Generally implies that someone is open to having a friendly conversation, but does not intend to engage in any further conversations beyond that.
- Networking: This implies that a user is interested in making connections, but may not necessarily be looking for a romantic relationship or even friendship.
- Dating: Implies a user is open to dating or even more serious relationships.
No matter what level of engagement you’re looking for, it’s important to make sure you read profiles carefully before engaging with anyone on Grindr. It’s also important to remember that everyone has different intentions and it’s up to you to respect their boundaries if they don’t match your own.
How to Recognize a Gen Profile on Grindr
You might be wondering, “How can I recognize a Gen profile on Grindr?” Well, the quickest way to spot a Gen profile is by looking at their username. Most Gen profiles have the letters “GEN” at the end of their username. But don’t worry if someone doesn’t have the letters “GEN” in their name–it doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t Gen. It could just be that they haven’t gotten around to adding it yet.
On top of that, many genuine members now write “Gen” in their bio to show that they are part of this Gen community. And usually, these profiles also have other similar interests as other Gen members like outdoor activities and media like books and movies.
If you’re still not sure, one giveaway is how quickly people reply to your message. Usually genuine members on Grindr answer quickly because they want to get to know you better and genuinely engage with people who are interested in them for who they are rather than a random chat or hookup.
So there you have it–three clear ways to distinguish a Gen profile from any other profile on Grindr: by looking at their username, bio and quick response time.
Safety Tips for Engaging With Gen Profiles
So, you’ve noticed profiles with ‘GEN’ listed as the status—which could be an exciting chance to meet someone new. But it’s important to know that some people use GEN as a way to find victims of financial exploitation, so safety should always be your top priority. Here are some tips on how to stay safe when engaging with GEN profiles:
Do Your Research
Before you start chatting with someone, take the time to do a little bit of research. Check out their profile and learn more about them—see if they seem genuine and if they have any reviews from other users. This will help you get an idea of who they are and whether they’re trustworthy. It’s also a good idea to look at their social media accounts to make sure that what they tell you aligns with what you see online.
Set Boundaries
Once you start talking, know your limits and don’t be afraid to set boundaries early on. Don’t give out too much personal information, like your home address or phone number, until you feel comfortable about the person. Keep the conversation focused on getting to know one another and feel free to end the conversation at any time if it begins heading in a direction that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Agree on Meetup Parameters
If it comes down to meeting up for real-life interactions, arrange for a public meetup in a safe place—never agree to go somewhere private or alone with them (especially not their place). Make sure that someone knows where you’re going, plus be sure that both parties feel comfortable with the parameters of the meetup before going ahead and agreeing to it.
The bottom line is that engaging with GEN
Types of People Who Use GEN on Grindr
Now that you know what GEN means, you might be wondering who uses it on Grindr. Well, a lot of people do, actually. Generally speaking, people use GEN as a short-hand to indicate that they’re looking for someone who shares their gender identity—but not necessarily in terms of sex. In other words, if someone is using GEN on Grindr, they are more likely to be interested in friendship instead of casual hook-ups.
LGBTIQA+ Community
The most obvious people who look for GEN on Grindr are individuals in the LGBTIQA+ community. People in this community often express their sexual orientations and gender identities more fluidly than the traditional binary—hetero and homo—so they’ll self-identify as GEN when looking for friends and companions rather than just partners for sex.
Straight People
In some cases, straight people (cisgender hetero or heterosexuals) also use GEN on Grindr. Because most straight people are only interested in opposite-sex relationships (at least publicly), they may choose to identify with the gender neutral term “gen” if they don’t feel comfortable revealing their orientation. In this case, the individual is likely looking for friendship instead of romance or sexual encounters.
Bi/Pansexuals
Bi or pansexual folks may also identify with GEN on Grindr since they’re inclusive of all genders and sexes when it comes to dating or forming relationships. In this case, the individual may be looking for friendships or casual hook-ups with anyone regardless of orientation or identity.
The Benefits of Being a GEN User on Grindr
As a Grindr user, being listed as a GEN offers you quite a few benefits. From added convenience to anonymity, here are some of the advantages to having your GEN status listed on the site.
Convenience
Using GEN simplifies your online interactions with other users since it hides your age and sex from other users, giving you more control over who you interact with and how much information you share. In this way, Grindr’s GEN option increases your convenience and safety when using the platform.
Anonymity
Another great perk of being a GEN user on Grindr is that it allows you to remain anonymous. This gives you an extra layer of security while still being able to connect with others and make friends or find potential romantic partners.
Offline Connections
GEN also gives you the opportunity to meet people offline in person if you so choose. Because it doesn’t reveal any personal information about yourself, such as age or location, meeting people offline is safer than ever – all without sacrificing any of the fun or opportunities that come with being a Grindr user!
