Does Online Dating Really Work?

You’ve probably heard all kinds of things about online dating, Internet dating, Social dating, Facebook dating, or the old-fashioned way of meeting offline at work, or with a little help from your friends or your  grandma. There are so many more options available to singles dating in the digital age, yet so many can’t seem to connect.  You may even have a few friends that have tried online dating. Some sites are FREE, some have a price tag attached to them. What’s a single dater to do? Are these sites safe?  How can you protect yourself from crazy people that lie within their profiles?

There is no one-size fits all formula when it comes to finding your mate.  Everyone’s relationship goals may differ from their best friends or neighbors, so there exists a variety of sites for everyone to check out.

Online dating, if done correctly, is just a method or service that will get you out there in the real world meeting more people offline and, hopefully, that special someone. Even sites such as Match.com, Plenty of Fish, and Spark Networks’ Hurry Date take their online daters offline with their special events divisions.

Here are some pros and cons on finding love both online and offline.

Online Dating

Pro: One out of five relationships start online. Whether it’s on Social media, Facebook, Twitter, a mobile app, or traditional online dating site, there are a lot of success stories.
Con: People lie about their age, weight, height, income, and marital status. Singles get frustrated after a few bad dates.

Pro: You can meet people outside of your geographic area and social circle with similar interests. You’ll  meet more people, so you can learn what you’re truly looking for in a date, mate, or relationship.
Con: It can become addicting to some, who never meet offline or are looking for the next pretty face.

Pro: It’s efficient and available 24-hours a day.
Con: It’s feels like a full-time job for many and you must be organized.

Pro: Many sites provide matching tools and send you emails of suggested matches to make it easier for you to preview potential dates.
Con: Many singles limit their search criteria to height, zip code, or income and can miss the opportunity to meet a compatible match.

Offline Dating

Pro: You may have friends in common which will make you more comfortable.
Con: You’re not really sure of their relationship status.

Pro: You can determine if there’s chemistry with a person sooner.
Con: You’re limited to your existing social circles or regular activities and will meet less people.

Pro: It’s pre-dating, without the pressure of wondering if you’re date’s profile is accurate.
Con: Singles may feel shy and not ask someone out for an official date.

Pro: You can easily date in groups, while developing new friendships with people with similar interests.
Con: You’re limiting yourself to a certain geographic area.

Pro: Dating sites have entered the events business giving you more choices to meet in person, without the pressure.
Con: You’re not really sure if someone is interested in you romantically at a group event.

At the end of the day, if you’re serious about meeting someone special, you must include both online and offline dating in your routine. The goal of online dating is to take your relationship offline. Riding into the digital sunset together is now a way of everyday life.

Does anyone recall the TV show “The Dating Game”?  It first aired in 1965. Typically, a bachelorette would question three bachelors, who were hidden from her view; at the end of the questioning period, she would choose one to go out with on a date paid for by the show. Occasionally, the roles would be reversed, with a man questioning three ladies; other times, a celebrity would question three players for a date for themselves or for a co-worker or relative.  The final episode aired in 2000.

What about the popular dating shows The Bachelorette and The Bachelor?  They are another example of dating shows on ABC.

People have been dating since the beginning of time looking for a mate to share their life with. It is not easy for folks though, depending on their occupation, or opportunities, to meet a good mate to share their life with. I used to refer to it as “feeling like a piece of meat”.  The whole dating scene was a meat market to me, so I chose another avenue rather than the usual bar scene or singles dances.

Back in 1989, after a stint in the Military and a career that required shift rotation, I decided to give video dating a shot – online Dating and Social Networking were not even beginning to emerge at that time. I joined a video dating service, it was a service that charged a membership fee to join in, and I paid the one-time fee. New members participated in a video interview where they were asked all sorts of questions. This video would then be used for prospective ‘dates’ interested in learning more about you.  You were also advised to bring in some photos and create a portfolio of yourself.  Once this was done, it was put inside a scrap book and you were assigned a number. Members came in and either went to the male section or the female section, selected their choices and then approached a desk where a supervisor would contact the person for you letting them know someone was interested. Once contacted, you could then come in and review the video and profile before deciding if it was someone you’d want to go out with.

How long was I a member before I found my handsome prince?  I had dated several guys and was about 4 months into my membership when my prince chose me. Approx 1 year later, we became engaged and were married on May 25, 1991.  We are parents to 3 adult kids, 2 sons & a daughter.