On-line dating? Yes? No?

[NoahsMommy]

The problem is, most people aren't honest. Especially if they can hide online.

My good friend has been trying the online dating thing and they've all been losers. I feel so badly for her because she's a HUGE catch! She's just not into the bar scene and we live in a pretty suburban area.

I personally wouldn't do it, only because I don't trust what most people say as it is. Online would be worse for me.

[ramanth]

I went on a date with some guys thru online dating services. None of them clicked but I know friends who have made some real connections!

If you play it smart, I don't see the harm in it. No different than meeting a stranger on the street really. That's what dating is about. Getting to know a person.

I met Andy at a Convention. I walked right up to him, said I liked his costume and we exchanged emails. 6 years later we were dating and now we're engaged.

[dogs_4_me]

No

[guster girl]

I say yes. I think you have to be safer about certain things, like your whereabouts and certain personal information. There are pros and cons to both online and face to face dating.

[Uabassoon]

I say yes, I've met some wonderful people on the internet. I met my current girlfriend online and many of my best friends on the internet. But as for actual internet "dating" I think that's kind of silly, but I do know a few people who that has worked out for but I don't think I could "date" someone that I've never met.

[Pam]

I would have said NO a couple of years ago, but my son's good friend met a girl through on-line dating and they are still going strong after almost 2 years. Recently my son tried it out and went out with a few girls after "talking" with them on-line and on the phone but didn't seem to "click" with them in person. That was before this past August. He has now been in a two month relationship as a result of on-line dating. We'll see what happens. As in everything you must be careful.

[Karen]

I know some wonderful, wonderful people that I "met" online first - hey there, Pet Talkers! As I am happily married, I have no need for online dating, but I would give the idea a "yes"" as long as the people in question were both adults, and were careful. There are scary people out there, but that's true in "real life" as well as online. People can lie as well in "real life," too.

Pssst - is this not real life?

[wolflady]

Originally posted by Karen
I know some wonderful, wonderful people that I "met" online first - hey there, Pet Talkers! As I am happily married, I have no need for online dating, but I would give the idea a "yes"" as long as the people in question were both adults, and were careful. There are scary people out there, but that's true in "real life" as well as online. People can lie as well in "real life," too.

Pssst - is this not real life?

I absolutely agree with this. I would say meeting people online is fine as long as you're smart and careful about it. Example: I have met many people from PT and they are all great! LOL

Take eHarmony for instance. The people that participate in eHarmony's services are serious about meeting others, because they take the time to fill out a very in-depth survey (500 questions, I believe) and also pay a fee to be there. Of course, the audience tends to fall in the age range of 35 and above, but from what I've heard (eHarmony is a customer of ours...that's why I know all of this...), the marriages through eHarmony have had far less divorce rates than regular marriages. This is eHarmony's mission, to decrease the rate of divorce in the United States by matching up people that compliment each other, in all aspects: interest, beliefs, etc. Pretty cool, huh?
This is a very interesting topic, actually. For your research paper, take a look at the different types of online dating. There are your reputable services like eHarmony and Soulmatch, and I'm sure there's less reputable services available that you can look into if you want to make a comparison in your paper.

Compare the various services and compare the audience. These are all important factors when meeting people online. Like Karen said, there are scary people out there...both in RL and online. You just have to be smart about it.

[popcornbird]

A few years ago, I too, would have said NO, but after being on PT for over 2 years, I must say I now see online relationships/friendships from a totally different perspective.

While it is true that you must be very careful, and its also true there are many predators out there that you need to be aware of, the fact is....when you're getting to *know* a person in real life, they are just as new to you as someone on the internet would be, and they too, could very possibly be lying about things. The internet is not *fake life* LOL. Its just as *real* as the real life we live in. Everyone you meet online is just as much of a REAL person in the REAL world as you are....So just because you aren't talking *face to face*, or because you're in different parts of the world, that doesn't mean you're talking to someone out of the *real world*. I know I always refer to my offline life as real life too, but when you think about it, its kind of silly because in reality, everyone you know online is someone in *real life* too. I mean really......we ALL exist in the real world, don't we? LOL!!!

I do think you need to be careful and alert, and REALLY get to know the person before taking any steps forward, that could possibly endanger you if you're not talking to the right person. There are risks involved when meeting people face to face too. My mom always tells my brother (who is hoping to find the right person and get married soon), that marriage is like a lottery. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. It doesn't matter if you meet the person online or offline....Offline relationships can go just as bad, and online relationships can go good too. It all depends on who you end up with. I guess I would say you should be careful and wary about giving any personal information out until you get to know the person deep down, but I think, if you play things safe, it could very well be a nice experience. You really do get to know people well by talking to them online. I wouldn't have said that before joining PT, but now that I've gotten to know so many people well here, I must say, if you're smart and play it safe, you might be able to find the perfect match online. I mean...if we were all able to find the perfect friends on PT, I'm sure its very possible to find a perfect life partner online too. As with all aspects in life, you just have to be careful...maybe a little EXTRA careful when it comes to the internet, but I don't think its always a horribly dangerous thing that is bound to go wrong, as I once did before.

[davidpizzica]

True, there is a lot of scary people out there.but I forgot about meeting moosmom through PT. HHowever I got to know hwer very well and she knows me well.She has called me on the phone and we talked, and talked, and talked! I love her(and I'm not ashamed of it) I want to meet her in real life!

[catland]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
My good friend has been trying the online dating thing and they've all been losers.

Having dated before the age of the internet I can tell you that online isn't necessarily the culprit.

If I were single today I might consider it. I know of at least one friend who met his wife online.

Heck - my husband was a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. Like others said, be smart and be careful.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Originally posted by catland
Having dated before the age of the internet I can tell you that online isn't necessarily the culprit.

Im sorry but this made me chuckle in a wierd morbid way

People can be really scary and for lack of a better term, icky in person and online. I've met some wonderful people online (Here mostly ) and Ive met some real jerks, just like in the offline world. I've dated on the internet once, but that kind of got squished when the guys mom found out he was making long distance calls...from Alaska to Here!!! Ooops...too bad, I kind of liked the guy.
Siriously though, I'd say its a good way to meet and greet, and helps shy people to get to know others better before actually meeting them in person. Also, if someone IS lying, even online its easy to spot if you're careful and know what to look for.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

I hate to say it, and I don't want to sound rude, but really...

Aren't we all in sort of an online relationship??

How is being so close to everyone here different than being in an online relationship?

I've had a few... if you even call them "relationships". I think it's more of a friendship/security type thing. I like having him there just to talk to.

But everyone, think about the question before.

[flamepony12]

I think you are right, but i think PT is a lot different than online dating. I say.... no! %o

[Uabassoon]

Originally posted by david p
However I got to know hwer very well and she knows me well.She has called me on the phone and we talked, and talked, and talked! I love her(and I'm not ashamed of it) I want to meet her in real life!

What I must have missed something here! This is exciting! I hope you two get to meet each other soon!