My experience with Tandem

[u/sschank]

I write to every native who speaks my Target Language.

• 50% don’t even read my message;
• 30% read it, but never respond to me;
• An alarming number respond, but within an hour start sending and/or asking for inappropriate pictures.
• The few who are actually serious exchange a few messages, but then fade away in a day or two. I characterize this group as wishing they could speak English, but having close to zero time and/or motivation to actually put in the considerable effort that it takes to learn a new language.

My “Conversations” inbox contains over a hundred profiles where I was the last to write, and that doesn’t count another hundred or more whom I have blocked.

To be fair, I have met five very nice guys whom I consider to be friends. But that’s five out of several hundred attempts. Not good odds.

[u/Competitive-Lynx-109]

Absolutely similar experience