Ever wished a friend was single?
That question stands as the tagline for the Facebook app WaitingRoom, a new application that offers its services to those crushing on someone who is already taken.
After the application is added, no annoying post blows up your friends newsfeeds with “JUDY JUST INSTALLED WAITINGROOM!” Your friends are not sent invitations. No quiz results are posted. The application becomes a part of your profile completely anonymously. It’s your little secret.
Well, it’s a secret from whoever you want it to be, anyway.
The app works like this: you select your beloved and are placed in their “waiting room.” The application will send them an email, even if they do not have the application, and inform them of “someone’s interest” — someone who is obviously not responsible for the big fat “in a relationship” displayed on their profile.
If the status of the selected person becomes “single,” another email is issued, informing them of the identity of the person in their waiting room.
I hope someone is reading this and thinking, “That’s kind of f—– up,” besides me.
Wanting to do a little experiment of my own, I selected “Get Started” on the app’s web page. But upon being redirected to Facebook, it has a few warnings to offer.
In order to install the app, I was required to release access to my basic information, my data (even when not using the app), access to my family and relationships, access to my friends information, and allow them to send me any email.
Geez, that’s more than Farmville wanted. It seemed just a little bit invasive for my taste.
Plus, I had nightmares about it unknowingly sending emails to my selected experimental specimen that said “This chick wants to do you” alongside a big picture of my face, or sending my relatives messages that say “Your daughter/niece/third cousin is a HOME-WRECKER.”
It seems that little good could come from a service that tells committed people that others hold interest in them. It’s asking for problems: questioning your relationship unnecessarily, infidelity, you name it.
It was hard enough getting my ex-boyfriend to stop starring at any set of boobs that walked by. Now, for future reference, I have to worry about it coming in through email.
And what about the people choosing to be in someone’s waiting room? Like any online matchmaker, you’re always taking the chance that the person on the other end is nuts.
“I don’t think it will really work,” said freshman Angel Lugo. “People will just change their status to find out and then change it right back. Then it will just be awkward. Or it could cause problems: they’ll start flirting and stuff.”
Let’s say curiosity overwhelms an otherwise fully-committed girlfriend. She breaks it off with her hubby and eagerly awaits the email that contains the name of the person waiting on her.
Much to her dismay, it turns out to be the creepy guy in her psychology class that stares at her chest instead of her eyes while talking about how much “fun” it would be to get her plastered (while he remains sober).
Prince Charmings don’t use Facebook apps to approach the woman they wish to have as their betrothed. I find it hard to believe that a successful relationship could begin with dumping someone you met conventionally for someone who hides behind technology to convey romantic interest.
Regardless, this app is making headlines. The website for WaitingRoom eagerly displays their appearance on everything from MSNBC.com to The Onion.
I believe WaitingRoom just exists as another tool to help people believe they have options for romantic partner. And while that may stand with good intentions for those in bad relationships looking to find someone new, it also has the potential to ruin something real out of mere curiosity.
It would be easy for someone—even in the strongest of relationships—to let curiosity get the better of them and end something genuine for something unknown.
The WaitingRoom website claims that application “will give you the confidence to become single again—if that’s what you really want.”
You might want to ask yourself that question before dumping your significant other for a complete stranger, or potential stalker.
Hannah Webster can be reached at hannahkarine31@gmail.com.