Internet dating services have been around since the dawn of the
Internet. They started as simple message boards, and have now
evolved into a very sophisticated means of putting people
together.
I remember perusing newspaper ads long ago, as I arrived in a
new city in a foreign country, not knowing anybody there. It
took me a good amount of patience and persistence on the dating
scene until I found a person I had a fulfilling relationship
with.
Online dating works much the same as the personals ads in a
magazine, except you have a much greater flexibility. Often,
internet dating services feature a combo of
personal ads and
some type of chat function, which means you can browse the ads
and then initiate a live chat with those members you find
interesting, if they are online.
You then get a quick feeling for who they are, and striking up a
conversation is easy if you know something about the person's
interests and values. A more shy person may prefer to
communicate through e-mail in the beginning. Another advantage
of online dating is that it's easy to remain anonymous until you
develop a sense of trust in your prospective date.
Well, are there any pitfalls of perusing internet dating
services? Women may be
worried about their safety, thinking
they'll run into Jack the Ripper. Actually, in my view online
dating is safer than the traditional ways of hooking up with new
people, such as the bar scene. By e-mailing and chatting online
you get a feeling for the other person even before meeting them
in real life. And of course that first encounter should always
happen in a public place such as a coffee shop or restaurant.
From a male viewpoint, a problem with internet dating services
is that they tend to have a majority of male members.
Traditionally, males are more active seeking contact with the
opposite sex and this is
reflected in the online dating scene,
too. Especially the more explicit type of internet dating
services tend to attract men like flies to honey; but
unfortunately attract very few women. Unless a man looks like
Arnold Schwartzenegger in his heyday; his chances of getting
female attention on a "sexy" dating site are virtually zero.
On the other end of the spectrum of internet dating services, a
few of the most "family-oriented" ones claim to have mostly
female members! Women feel safe in those places, and are
attracted to them ... Thus, men who want to have a good chance
of success finding a mate, are making a wise move
if they become
members in the latter type of online dating site.
In conclusion: If you approach the online dating scene with a
positive attitude while exhibiting caution and common sense, you
greatly increase your likelihood of an enjoyable experience.
Remember that being honest about who you are always pays off in
the long run.
About the author:
Kai Virihaur runs consumer-oriented websites such as
http://www.TheHostingFinder.com, and
http://www.TheDatingFinder.com. These sites offer reviews on web
hosting and online dating.
