Valentine’s day is gone but we’re still in the month of love and staying in the spirit of love, let’s talk about finding it online. Online dating services are now being used by many singles as a way to find love. Either out of convenience or as an alternative to the bar and club scenes, online dating is swiftly becoming the preferred matchmaker. There is now a 50:50 chance that people you know are doing it. I’ll get you a little familiar with the online dating scene so that you can move from thinking about it to finding love online confidently. That is if you’re single of course.
What’s Different?
Online dating isn’t that much different to what you’re accustomed to with traditional dating. Your personality, looks and the things you have in common with your potential partner are all still considered to play an important role in finding Mr. and Mrs. Right online. However, online there are some new exciting features that put a welcomed twist on things.
Cupid’s Arrow 2.0
The speed at which couples find each other online in comparison to offline is much faster mainly due to the many options at their disposal to do such. For example online dating websites offer in whole or part the ability to find potential partners through compatibility tests, search engines, scouring detailed personal profiles, instant messaging, emailing and several other means. Alternatively offline, one either meets someone from at work, by chance as you go along your daily routine or perhaps through recommendations by friends or family, where after you still have to ‘test the waters’.
Mouse Over at Anytime
The access you have to potential partners online in comparison to offline is a big plus. You can wave your mouse over 2.8 million profiles using online dating at any time you fancy and in the comfort and privacy of your home. Just imagine not being bothered about preparing to go out for date. Also if you’re one of those who passed that juncture in life or aren’t keen on the clubs and bars scene to pick up or to be picked up, online dating is a definite match for you.
Is It Successful?
The results are in and it’s a resounding YES. Research has shown online dating is helping many people just like you find love and have their ‘happily ever after’, even more it’s shaking up the dynamics of our relationships. Dr. Jeff Gavin of the University of Bath found that men were significantly more likely to be devoted to the relationship than women and explained that it is perhaps due to the ease at which they relate emotionally online with their partner than offline. However, before we abandon our pixie dust and mistletoes in the kitchen cupboard we might want to consider all the facts that are on the table. For this we look to Dr. Andrea Baker who proposes four important things that will make your online relationship successful.
Making It Work
- Where you meet, for example a shared interest online dating website is considered to be ideal or a service which promotes matching based on similar interests.
- The length of time couples take to get acquainted with each other before meeting face-to-face or engaging in sexual activity is important. It might be a bit hard for you to swallow but her research suggest that the longer couples take, the longer the relationship will last.
- Baker suggests getting together could be a little easier said than done and that each partner and sometimes both may have to overcome obstacles such as distance, financial issues that may arise in relocating, and negotiating and or severing commitments to current relationships in order to be together. Therefore, one’s determination to be together must be pretty strong.
- She believes that becoming aware of each other’s communication styles even in conflict online enhances satisfaction and cooperation online and offline among couples.
What should you expect?
By nature we seek to reduce uncertainty when trying new things and as promised this post will help you do just that by presenting the good, the bad and the down right ugly of what online dating entails; a more balanced and realistic view of dating online.
Blonde and Blue Eyed
Unfortunately not all online daters are as truthful as one would like. Research reports that some online daters lie about looks, weight, height, size, personality, age and even relationship status. Not surprisingly, men seem to lie more about their height while women tend to lie more about their weight (at least by five pounds or more).
It’s A ‘Numbers Game’
Another undesirable feature of online dating is called the ’numbers game’ which is perpetrated mostly by men. It entails sending out more expressions of interest than one is expected to receive, for example sending what some online dating services call a ‘kiss’ or a ‘wink’ to many persons on the site. You may probably regard it as spam. However there are usually controls provided by the service where you can block and or report any one you suspect of doing this.
Scamming With Romance
On a much bleaker side of deception online is one of the most dangerous and potentially emotionally damaging exercises of deception in online dating, the romance scam. Originating from several countries, most likely from Africa, these scams lure desperate for love individuals via very attractive profiles and smart strategies into being swindled out of their money. Moreover, it promotes illegal activity by persuading these individuals to sometimes cash forged or stolen cheques in addition to performing other legal infractions. They usually target middle-aged professionals and those who look for long relationships by playing on their need for love over several months.
You’re 100% Covered
However, despite all of this, 90% of this solution is you knowing about these downfalls and kinks in the system and the other 10% is up to you with regards to being vigilant. So you’re wayyyyy ahead of the game.
Which One Should You Choose?
There are many online dating websites out there. Some are focused on matching within specialist groups, for example online dating sites that tailor to a specific faith or interest group. While others are more generalised and may request personality tests and surveys examining one’s interests and preferred characteristics to be found in one’s potential partner as matching criteria.
Ultimately your choice depends on what type of person you want to meet and what factors are most important to you. For instance, if your faith is big factor in finding a potential partner then you may be better off using a website tailored for matching persons within the faith. Or if you simply want someone who you share a few similarities with then you may want to go general. It’s just a matter of matching a service to your needs.
Below is a list of websites that will give you better advice on choosing the best online dating service for your quest for love:
- A detailed look at things you should consider in choosing an online dating service – www.mozdex.com/online-dating-services
- A comprehensive list of online dating websites reviews – www.datesitereviews.com
- Online dating websites reviews – www.datingsitesreviews.com
- Online dating website advice and dating websites reviews – www.best4sure.co.uk
Also, here is a list of popular online dating services used by Caribbean people:
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Bradford Walker
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Bradford Walker
