A date by any other name is still a date!!!!
I met a lady today who informed me that online dating is for boring, socially awkward, weird losers. Obviously, as a loyal online dater I completely dissagree. For me, online dating is a convenient form of dating. I work long hours and don't have the time to go to bars, clubs, bookstores, grocery stores, basketball games, antique markets, gyms and the plethora of other "date-meeting" avenues. I attend church regularly, but the men there are all married or the same age as my grandfather.
I know several women and men who are at the top of their social game who turn to online dating because it is easy and convenient. They get the opportunity to date successful, smart, charismatic individuals who, like themselves, are not losers, but busy. Of course, there is still that stigma of meeting online. Several of my friends, especially the male friends, tend to fib a little when introducing their date to others - they claim to have met anywhere but online. So what is it about the internet that brings on this feeling of "should/can i tell?" when it comes to online dating.
We can spend hours crusing for the items on ebay and proudly announce to the world that we shop on ebay, but we are ashamed to say we date online. I find it interesting and perturbing. I am proud to be an online dater. I have met wonderful men online. I have had some interesting and memorable relationships with some of these men. Does online dating turn us into serial daters? I don't think so. I don't approach it any differently than I would if I met the dude in a library or at a party.
I am able to spend weeks getting to know these men via emails and sometimes phone calls. I learn things about them I wouldn't necessarily learn if I met them at a bar. Of course, nothing beats meeting in person - a guy who appears charming online may be a "douchebag" when you meet in person, but its a risk worth taking.
Trust me, meeting your man or woman in cyberspace should not make you feel socially inferior. Don't pay any attention to those friends of yours who roll their eyes or make jokes about your cyberlove. This could be the man or woman of your dreams. Are you really going to let someone's definition of "traditional" really derail your love life? I hope not. If you are, get a backbone already!!!!
You're not an internet geek, loser or socially awkward person. You're just a normal person searching for love. If you're lucky to find it, great. If not, it will find you somehow. Ignore the misconceptions, the stereotyping, the branding, the labels and just live your life. You only have one!!!
So next time someone asks why you're online, ask Why Not? And if you're like me, you'll check out some cute dude on the metro and instantly wonder if you match on 29 dimensions ..........yes, that online dating stuff spills into the real world.
I met a lady today who informed me that online dating is for boring, socially awkward, weird losers. Obviously, as a loyal online dater I completely dissagree. For me, online dating is a convenient form of dating. I work long hours and don't have the time to go to bars, clubs, bookstores, grocery stores, basketball games, antique markets, gyms and the plethora of other "date-meeting" avenues. I attend church regularly, but the men there are all married or the same age as my grandfather.
I know several women and men who are at the top of their social game who turn to online dating because it is easy and convenient. They get the opportunity to date successful, smart, charismatic individuals who, like themselves, are not losers, but busy. Of course, there is still that stigma of meeting online. Several of my friends, especially the male friends, tend to fib a little when introducing their date to others - they claim to have met anywhere but online. So what is it about the internet that brings on this feeling of "should/can i tell?" when it comes to online dating.
We can spend hours crusing for the items on ebay and proudly announce to the world that we shop on ebay, but we are ashamed to say we date online. I find it interesting and perturbing. I am proud to be an online dater. I have met wonderful men online. I have had some interesting and memorable relationships with some of these men. Does online dating turn us into serial daters? I don't think so. I don't approach it any differently than I would if I met the dude in a library or at a party.
I am able to spend weeks getting to know these men via emails and sometimes phone calls. I learn things about them I wouldn't necessarily learn if I met them at a bar. Of course, nothing beats meeting in person - a guy who appears charming online may be a "douchebag" when you meet in person, but its a risk worth taking.
Trust me, meeting your man or woman in cyberspace should not make you feel socially inferior. Don't pay any attention to those friends of yours who roll their eyes or make jokes about your cyberlove. This could be the man or woman of your dreams. Are you really going to let someone's definition of "traditional" really derail your love life? I hope not. If you are, get a backbone already!!!!
You're not an internet geek, loser or socially awkward person. You're just a normal person searching for love. If you're lucky to find it, great. If not, it will find you somehow. Ignore the misconceptions, the stereotyping, the branding, the labels and just live your life. You only have one!!!
So next time someone asks why you're online, ask Why Not? And if you're like me, you'll check out some cute dude on the metro and instantly wonder if you match on 29 dimensions ..........yes, that online dating stuff spills into the real world.
5 comments:
Why not? LOL.
Sooo true. I have a lot of friends who will stigmatize you for meeting someone online or say you shouldn't meet men online because they are weirdos. However, those same women have never tried it. You have to approach it with the same smarts you would meeting someone anywhere else. Sure someone can put up a fake picture and lie but no amount of lying should have you divulging your SS#, home address, or banking information.
I add online to my socializing list because I can look at what I want. It's fun, like shopping!!!
you've won me over
sassy is probably a hideous chick with thick glasses and braces
thanks everyone for stopping by and i won't exactly classify myself as hideous :-)
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