Have you tried internet dating?
February 10th 2009 22:04
A search at amazon.com using the words 'internet dating' yields 2,468 books. It also yields 16 DVDs, 32 MP3 downloads, 81 items under Apparel and Accessories and 45 under Kindle Store, whatever that is.
It doesn't take long to notice a common theme among the books - there is a rush to tell you that internet dating is okay. Like, these days, you know, lots of people are doing it, and stuff.
The trouble with this collective aim to allay fears about the acceptability and normality of internet dating is that it implies the opposite. If it is so normal and acceptable, why the eager need to say so?
Number two on the Amazon list is a book called A Commonsense Guide to Successful Internet Dating. The prominent sub-heading is: I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book.
The messages are mixed. Are you opening the door to a brave new world of romantic possibility, or are you opening it to a horde of anti-social weirdoes? Are you taking a practical, logical approach to finding a partner, or are you holding up a sign saying 'How desperate am I'?
The messages are in fact marketing bumf, a way of grabbing attention. Hey, what's wrong with leveraging on peoples' ignorance and insecurities if it sells books?
The question you might ask is: should you trust such a book?
Let me save you the cost of finding out. I have tried it, and here is the honest, all-encompassing, no-frills truth about internet dating: it has its advantages and disadvantages.
Like life, really.
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Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Chris Champion
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But if anyone has doubts, I wouldn't hesitate to say go for it.
Comment by Dianna G
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Such wonderful, down-to-earth advice! And I really do have to agree. I've had a couple internet relationships, and they definitely have their upsides-and their downsides.
~Dianna
Comment by Chris Champion
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Comment by Janet Collins
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I don't really think it is different from meeting people in other places. There are weirdos in pubs and other places too. In fact, these people they meet on the internet can probably be found almost everywhere.
When I was a lot younger a woman came forward with this advice for me...
"If you meet him in a pub....that's where he's always gonna be".
I also have a close friend who met her spouse in a pub and they have been together for more than 30 years!!
Could you now change that bit of advice to being
"If you meet him on the internet....that's where...".
Comment by Chris Champion
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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every single (unmarried) person who is able to access the internet in a quiet, private environment has entered their details into at least one dating site out of sheer curiousity
anyone who says they havent is a liar
id say there is a 99.9% certainty that the above statement is true
most dating sites offer free memberships and you need to sign up to browse and see how it works, and its all anonymous so you can claim that youve never done it . . . magic!
also, most "social networking" sites (eg: myspace, facebook, bebo, wayne, hi5, okcupid, youtube, deviantart, person, windows live spaces, twitter) that require you to make a profile that can include a pic, age, gender, marital status, and/or sexual preference, can be considered to have a dating element or function . . . anywhere that you actively mingle with strangers is a thinly veiled dating site . . . with the possible exception of writers, blogging, or professional communities
Comment by Chris Champion
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i like the freedom of expression you provide people on your blogs, nice work Chris
Comment by Jason King
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I have met a freaky asshole but also met some nice people. Still friends with some and also have some friends with benefits from it. Hahahahahaha
The first time I did it I was so nervous that I would be boring and this guy ordered like 3 main meals for himself and all with spicy sausage - thanks for coming but I am not into a walking fart. LOL
Warning: Be careful and only meet in a public place first time!
Comment by Chris Champion
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