It’s the big question,
isn’t it? Everyone wonders if this online dating thing
really works. Can you really find true love on the Internet?
Well, to throw my hat into the ring, I ask “why not”?
There are certainly worse ways to meet someone (ie. at the
bar). And with a good cross-section of singles from around
the world with online profiles, your chances have got to be
better than at the local watering hole.
I do base my opinion in this subject on some experience.
I have been involved with the Internet for about 10 years.
In the “old days” people met in chat rooms. There
were sex and adult chat rooms, and there were social chat
rooms. There were not many dating services online.
Still, I can think of at least two people from my group of
very close friends who met and later married people they met
online. I also have a close programmer friend (and former
platonic roommate) who met his now-wife online – and
they have been married for at least 8 years and are still
brilliantly happy. It can happen, it happens all of the time.
So how, you ask, with all of the people out there, do I manage
to meet the right one? The answer is to use your common sense.
When you walk into a clothing store, the first thing you
subconsciously do is walk by the racks of clothes, mentally
eliminating the things that don’t interest you, and
marking the ones that do interest you for further investigation.
You don’t worry about the clothes’ feelings. Use
the same principal online – while there is some room
for investigating new things, the bottom line is that you’re
looking for someone who you’re compatible with. You
have a good idea of what kind of person you’re looking
for, put that experience to work for you.
Utilize the great singles search functions that are available
to you, and free personals listings on the websites. These
provide you with a way to narrow down the search for someone
who fits within your must-have criteria. For example, if you
definitely are not interested in dating someone who smokes,
be sure to specify a non-smoker.
A regional dating site is a great option if you’re
not interested in relocating or long-distance love. Take advantage
of a site that allows you to choose from singles in your area.
Don’t settle too much – there are lots of people
out there; you have to have physical attraction and share
important values and life goals with an ideal partner. Remember,
the goal is to find Mr/Ms Right – not settle for something
less than perfect.
Finally, with your own profile, be sure to include a picture
(lets face it, physical attraction IS important) and don’t
be afraid to be very specific in your profile itself. If you
do a good job of your own profile, maybe Mr. Or Ms Right will
find you!
While it is not without its limitations, online dating can
definitely be a useful tool to aid in your search for the
right person.
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contributed by Jerri-Lynne Cameron
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contributed by Jerri-Lynne Cameron
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