CommuniKate: Social Media Musings – KateDickman.com CommuniKATE: Social Media & Other Musings

Internet Dating – Friend or Foe?

Internet Dating. "Everybody's doing it!"

So Match.com, YahooPersonals.com, EHarmony.com - they're all making a fortune off online consumers. Why? Because most people either

a) Don't have the guts to approach people in a social setting

b) Are sick of the type of people they attract in a social setting

c) They can't get anyone to begin with.

d) Other.

As someone who has personally dated online, I can truly say there are definite pros and cons about the whole fad.

The pros:

You look amazing on paper! You feel good because you can show your true self via the internet without feeling bad about it. You are willing and able to honestly say what you would like in a mate and are able to shop around through a wide array of people.

You are able to get to know someone with the touch of a button. Online we oftentimes feel more compelled to say the things we want without the fear of feeling awkward. This enables us to develop an intellectual closeness that we may otherwise not get if meeting someone at a bar or club.

It saves time! Who wants to spend all night at a bar buying drinks and staying out late only to maybe get one number, when you can simply sit on your own bed and relax while perusing through possible candidates online?

All sound so peachy right?

Let's now go with the cons.

People sometimes are NOT who they say they are. I mean it. It happens. I've seen it myself. Others can put EXTREMELY attractive photos of themselves up. Maybe far away, a little blurry, at just the right angle. They look smokin'! All of a sudden you meet up with them and you slowly want to crawl in a hole and die. Or worse off, they used fake photos which is terrifyingly psychotic altogether.

You suddenly do not have that "connection" you once had via email/im. The words simply don't flow as freely and it's very awkward. Not a great feeling.

You are not attracted to them. That kind of goes with what I said before...but..something about their demeanor just isn't attractive.

They are not attracted to you. Rejection. Crappy feeling.

I say this from ultimate personal experience.

Tips: Put one good photo up and one kinda crappy one.

Don't lie about your weight or height.

Be truthful. Be careful and be cool.

IF you choose to continue internet dating. Most of my friends like it the tradition way...they are simply too afraid and "creeped out" to do the whole "internet thing". Which is better? Which is easier? Which is more effective?

My sister recently got married to a man who is simply perfect for her. Where did she meet him? None other than EHarmony.com!

Friend or foe? Tough call.

You know what they say - "To each his own."