How do you feel about online dating?

[IronLionZion]

I'm curious as to what you all think about it. Have you tried it? Considered it? Think it's a bad idea?

I found my girlfriend online last June. She's absolutely wonderful and I'm cooking dinner for her tonight and taking her to Chicago for a weekend trip. That's my valentine's gift to her since she is the sunshine of my life. I responded to her personal ad on craig's list on impulse to talk about sushi since she mentioned it without really looking to even meet her. She's older than me (she's 31, I'm 24) so I suggested we could be sushi buddies, until we met. We hit it off almost instantly when we found out we have a lot in common. We're both very horny just about all the time. And she's very suspicious of the fact that DUers have given me valentine hearts! ;)

Interesting how things work out. There are many sites out there with specific themes, even liberal or Democratic sites. Google "Democratic dating" and you'll get lots of sites. There are sites targeting educated people, or working professionals, or people of specific cultures, or people with specific interests, or whatever. There are free sites and pay ones. There are local ones. There are ones that set up dates for you but most let the two of you set it up on your own.

So far the only people I've come across who piss on online dating and think the users are "desperate", are the ones who are not having any luck with traditional dating, and have a generally negative attitude. It's just a way to meet people. And some people are more comfortable getting to know a new person through email before meeting face to face. Some are just busy or painfully shy.

Keep in mind there are good and bad people everywhere, not just online but in bars and your workplace or school. Be careful not to give out too much personal info to anyone you don't know yet, and it's best to meet your date in a public place and let a friend know where you are going.

[KG]

1. it totally rocks!

:headbang:

[StrongBad]

2. Now that the stigma is mostly gone I really like and recommend it.

It used to be that people who looked for dates online were a very small minority and thought of as freaks or anti-social weirdos. Yet the pervasive spread of the internet in recent years has made it have a much less negative connotation.

I have used it and have found that it's pretty much just like regular dating, but the initial setting up a date process is MUCH easier.

[soleft]

3. Met my gf online 5 years ago.

We hit it off immediately.

[NewJeffCT]

4. Met some very nice women that way

back in the 90s, I met a lot of dishonest women that would claim they were one thing, but would be totally different in person.

But, between marriages, i met a lot of interesting, intelligent & attractive women through online dating. I found that meeting somebody quickly was important - then you'd find out if you had that spark/connection in person quickly, rather than getting all worked up over them online and being let down in person.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. love it.

[BuddhaGirl]

6. I highly recommend it!

met my husband in an AOL chat room in 1996...I moved to the Bay Area from So. CA to be with him the following year and we're gonna celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this year! :loveya:

[redqueen]

7. Haven't used it but would consider it...

like you, I think it's just another way to meet people... and IMO a relatively safe one. You get a feel for them before you even meet them... so you sort of have an advance filter there. Which seems nice.

[fight4my3sons]

8. I have not used it, but

have know a few people who have met the loves of their lives online. Don't listen to those people who are not happy for you. Have a great Valentine's Day with your girl!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. Just like anything else...

How it works depends on how you work it.

[karmaqueen]

10. I know many happy couples who met that way.

I really have not heard any bad except for the tv pervert stuff. The people I know who took their time and met on line are very happy. I'm going to a wedding in June from an e harmony match. This match has made my friend so happy, much better than the mix matched marriage they were in.

[SarahB]

11. I think it gives people a chance to be more upfront on interests and values.

I met my husband here, but I never really did the online date thing when single. I think it helped we had a common interest and could see each other's personalities without the physical stuff getting in the way. Sexual chemistry can cloud judgment sometimes. For us, that was the last thing left to know. The other stuff we already knew we liked first. :)

[Seeking Serenity]

12. I'm opposed to Online Dating. Damn, damn, damn opposed.

If I'm dating a man, he has to go out with me IN PERSON.

That's the price he has to pay.

:silly:

(on edit: Don't worry, DH, I'm not dating.)

[bikebloke]

13. Not much luck, here.

When we finally met in person, it turns out they lied. With one, we got along, but there wasn't more spark for anything more than friendship. Then there were those who lived one the other side of the country, who wanted some sort of long distance relationship. Not for me.

I still have my profile up at a couple sites, but I suspect I've grown too acclimatized to my own company to actively pursue anyone.

[IronLionZion]

14. For those who have had good experiences. What are your favorite sites?

I'm just curious.

I have used plenty of fish and craigslist since they are free. I didn't meet or even talk to anyone on plenty of fish for some reason but I met a few nice women on CL.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. Found my wife on match.com.

I'd say it worked rather well, and desperation was not nearly a part of the equation.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. I have used it

Found a few good women, found more nuts though. In the end I have had more luck in real life than online dating.

[movie_girl99]

17. I met my husband on-line exactly 9 years ago this month.

It was a total fluke. I was in a movie chat room (hence my screen name) talking to folks about movies and he was too. Long story short, we began communicating on-line and then by phone. I went to visit him (in England)and he came to visit me (in Texas) and we were married eleven months later and the rest is history. This is my second marriage and as corney as it sounds..he is the one that I am supposed to be with.It was a little odd telling people back in 98 how we met because it was so new and people just didn't understand. Now it's so common and there are so many success stories.

I think it breaks down a lot of barriers and you get to know someone for who they are and not based on physical attraction. That comes later after you have fallen in love with the person. It can be a bit rough at times because as you know it's hard to judge emotions when communicating on-line but it is what it is and I wouldn't change anything about the way we met.