Our lives are, more now than ever, connected. Everyday we connect through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and we use texting and Skype as a way to contact the people we care about. And yet despite having our eyes burrowed into mechanical devices for the better part of a day, there is still a stigma about online dating.
And you know what?
I get it. Every time I tell someone about a guy I'm seeing and tell them "Oh yeah, we met online..." I brace myself for the reaction. I have even lied about it in the past if I thought that someone was going to be an asshole about it.
But the truth is I think that I think the stigma is bullshit. I understand the con's of online dating, but I think that the pro's far out-way the negative aspects of meeting someone on the Internet. Here of some of the best reasons you should create an online profile and start meeting people.
1.
It's great for meeting people with similar interests. Like reading obscure Russian poetry? Want to rehash the latest episode of
Game of Thrones? Really, if you have a passion, hobby, or are becoming interested in something new, there are other people out there that are also into it, and want to share it with you.
2.
It get's you out of your social circle and meeting new people. And isn't that the point? You're not revisiting former flames out of boredom or loneliness. Plus,
everyone is online. It's not just for creepy dudes or scary gals. Nearly everyone on a dating website is surprisingly normal in the sense that they aren't "masked murders".
3.
People who are on a dating website want to meet people. This is important. And obvious, but easily overlooked. Sometimes when you see a cute guy on campus or a hot girl in the grocery store they aren't necessarily interested in meeting someone. But when you sign up for a dating website you are saying that you are interested in meeting new people, so the pressure lessens greatly.
4.
It is no more awkward than meeting people at a bar. And half the time, you will end up meeting people from online in a bar anyways! But really when you think about it, meeting people is kind of awkward no matter the circumstances.
I have met some awesome people from online that I otherwise would have never met. Something that I always keep in mind is that
it is only online until you meet. It is only how you "met" and doesn't really say anything about the relationship thereafter.
Have you ever tried online dating? Why do you think there is still a stigma about it even though a majority of our lives are online anyways?
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Comments (39)
holy shit, a post from you I actually like. Lol I met my boyfriend online. We've been together for over a year.
Thank you! This post is everything I feel! I really don't understand why there is still a stigma about it. I met my fiance online and we've been together for a little over two years. He proposed last Thursday, during our third visit. ♥
Back in the myspace days, I did meet a boyfriend through that. When his parents asked how we met, we lied about it. lol. People do give you a weird look! But I haven't tried any dating sites. Though with my shy and unapproachable self, you would think I would have. lol. I have a boyfriend I met through a mutual friend now so doesn't matter.
I can see if the person gets their homophones correct online
@old_school_hollywood197666@xanga - I have no thoughts for the OP but I did want to send you a congrats on getting engaged.
@old_school_hollywood197666@xanga - congratulations on your engagement! how exciting!
I met my bf online too but he was my friend first for about 10 years!
I use okcupid! :) So far I've met 3 guys on here and planning to meet a few more, it's fun to make friends online. But I did fall for one, unfortunately, I don't think he felt the same way :/ And not only do i use dating sites to just meet guy friends but also girls. Like you said, it's nice to have friends outside of the circle :) it's fun to meet someone who has the same interests in you, or someone who is willing to listen.
I'd rather meet someone online than in a bar any day.
@old_school_hollywood197666@xanga - aww, congratulations! :)
I met my boyfriend online. We're very open about it too. :)
@opheliatohamlet@xanga - @UnconventionalButterfly@xanga - @old_school_hollywood197666@xanga - @xOne_twentyX@xanga - @ShirleyD@xanga -
My husband and I met on Xanga and we've been married for almost two years now.
i despise online dating passionately, but i support its existence, provided people use it right. if you're the type that thinks messaging someone for weeks on end is a great way to meet someone, you need to get your shit together. you don't find chemistry through written word.
@JustaBrokenWing@xanga - how can you have an ex you've never met?
@JustaBrokenWing@xanga - I get that, but how can you have a relationship with someone you've never met? :-/ I don't get that.
My best friend recently married her husband whom she met on okcupid! It can work!
@TheNotoriousGOD@xanga - I do agree with you on the messaging for weeks. If possible, I like to meet the person after a couple of days of chatting on Okcupid. The last guy I dated from there, we did chat for a couple of weeks, but because we agreed a day to go out that couldn't happen until a couple weeks in the future. We both felt this horrible pressure to keep it interesting, and we VERY glad we finally went on our first date. But yeah, messaging back and forth is pretty pointless when you easily meet up for dinner or lunch or something (perks of online dating in a city).
@JustaBrokenWing@xanga - PLEASE don't get offended when I ask this, but have you (or him) previously had any other relationships where there was in-person contact? Admittedly, I was 13 when this happened, but my first boyfriend and I didn't meet until a few months into our relationship and the connection we had over aim didn't really keep once we were looking eye to eye. I HOPE this does not happen to you, and hopefully the both of you Skype or talk on the phone to make up for not meeting in person. I'm generally weary of relationships that exist mainly online only because I've seen so many fall apart quickly after the two met.
@JustaBrokenWing@xanga - I just didn't want it to come off snarky. It's been my observation that when it is two people who never dated anyone else before, they can be naive about their online relationship. Then there are people who go into that type of relationship with offline relationship experience are a lot more realistic about the situation because they have that offline experience to compare to. As I said, though, I hope the best works out when you guys finally meet. And you are right, power to you for at least trying.
I met my boyfriend online over three years ago! We are now living together, and as happy as can be. :)
@Digital_Angel21@xanga - yeah, i'd prefer to meet after a few days too (actually i usually measure by how many messages--i aim for 4-5). before i deactivated my profile, i wrote on there that i'm not interested in chatting online for too long, and not to bother responding to my messages if they're not comfortable with that. i got a couple messages from girls just straight up asking to go to coffee (which i was fine with), though i never ultimately met up with them.
i figure that if you're not comfortable meeting up for coffee or ice cream in a public place after a few messages, you're either too paranoid about something, too shy (which isn't okay with me because i'm super outgoing and need a girl who's the same), or both.
one time i asked a girl if she wanted to meet and her response was "i just joined, i'm not comfortable meeting anyone yet." i was like...uh then why the fuck are you on this website? haha.
another huge problem i have with online dating is that i am judged by my looks before anything else...and i'm not exactly much of a looker, and i'm even less photogenic. not to mention that the idea of looking through someone's profile to decide whether you're compatible is completely fucking idiotic. i'd rather spend 45 minutes and 5 bucks on coffee (or a drunk night out at the club haha) than try to figure out what you're like through a contrived profile.