Has the internet created a platform whereby the expectations of singles are reaching far beyond obtainable?

Are people expecting to meet someone that looks like Brad Pitt or Jessica Simpson, has a bank account that could make Bill Gates anticipate losing his position on the list of the wealthiest, has the work ethics of Ward Cleaver and the parenting skills of Ozzy Nelson?

Are people expecting to find “the dream” lurking behind the next clicked profile that’s just been added to an online dating site?

Well, it’s not going to happen!

I’m not saying that people should “settle” exactly, but they shouldn’t anticipate anything above “comfortable” when shopping for love.

I had no idea that online dating sites were now incorporating a “rating system” that would allow other members to rate profiles based on various criteria.  How can that possibly be an honest measure to base your own interest on?  It can’t!

To me, if I were to see someone with a low rating, I’d be more attracted to the low numbers than the high ones, simply because that would tell me that the person had the courage to piss a few people off on their quest – than Mr. or Ms. Social Butterfly who feels the need to mollycoddle everyone who responded to their ad.

Ellen Gamerman of The Wall Street Journal took a much deeper dive into this rating system and the damage it’s causing in the heart of the single scene, so I’d encourage everyone to check it out to see some of the new challenges that are being presented to people who are using the dating sites.  Perhaps shine a little light on just why they may be feeling like one of The Undateables.

Do you think it’s fair that dating sites allow other members to rate profiles?  Do you think the ones most likely to take advantage of that feature are one’s with malicious intent?

Speak your mind!  I’d love to hear!

Post from: Blisstree

Relationships: The Undateables

Would you make contact with them anyway? Why? Why not?

I would…

I would make initial contact and let them know that I saw one or two things that “didn’t quite fit” but outside of that everything else was a nice match. I’d wish them luck on their search and tell them a heart was breaking because now I know what my one or two flaws have turned out to be.

Your turn!

Post from: Blisstree

Do you throw caution to the wind or tuck tail and run?

A Dutch dating website for farmers has taken Google to court for listing sponsored links to pornographic sites when you enter the site’s name into the search engine, the website said on Monday.

Full Article

It is sad when a simple search ends in eye popping results!  I’ve had my share of steamy – unmentionable results on simple searches.

One I will NEVER forget was searching for the old Suzanne Sommers Thigh Master workout gadget.  I nearly fell off my chair.

Have you ever done a search only to be completely shocked at the results?  I mean how could something so innocent – such as Thigh Master be turned into something so repulsive?

Would love to hear some of those search terms – perhaps if we list them here… they won’t rank so high there?  Ya think?

Post from: Blisstree

Lonely Dutch Farmer takes on Google

“You get what you pay for” especially when it comes to online dating services.

While participating in the online dating market, I began to comb through the free services and did so for a few weeks.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was looking for bargains in love when I was trying to convince myself not to settle for less then what I wanted.

Kind of an oxymoron – don’t you think?

Here I was, a single mother that couldn’t get out and hit the single scene much and was trying to find the hidden treasure in the clearance isle of online dating.  I wasn’t exactly sending out the message I wanted my soul mate to receive and I certainly wasn’t receiving any messages that were worth the time of day.

It’s not that I expected my potential love interests to spend a fortune on me, but rather take their search for love serious enough to cough up a few bucks on the hunt.

Any single that is willing to spend $20 plus per month on the online dating circuit is bound to be more serious about the pursuit then Joe Schmoe who hangs out on Bargain Basement Hook-ups.  It’s also been determined through various polls that the person you correspond with is truly single and not married looking for a little side action.

The online dating services with the strongest and most proven track record are:

Match.com - True.com - PerfectMatch.com - eharmony.com

How much are you willing to give to find your near perfect match?

I’d be interested in hearing the experiences of others on various online dating sites — whether it’s good, bad or impartial, I’d like to hear all about it!

Post from: Blisstree

Free Dating Services

Scott is single and sick of it.

Scott has turned to the internet to find a wife. Specifically eharmony.com. Scott will be making sure he actually follows through with the matches he gets at eHarmony and has set a timetable of marrying a match from eHarmony in less than a year.  Scott has dedicated a blog to his quest to find a wife and is tracking the entire experience.

Scott has set the date July 15th, 2007 as his personal deadline for finding a wife.

So check out Scott’s blog and see if he may be a match for you or someone you know!

I’ll also be keeping a curious eye on Scott to see how his personal quest transpires.

Care to make a friendly wager?  Will Scott find his perfect match on eHarmony or not?
 

Post from: Blisstree

Man to Find a Wife on eHarmony in 12 Months

Planning an one-on-one activity consists of first setting the time and place of an event ( for example, a dinner or a concert), and then finding someone of similar interests.   The steps to the process are Post an Activity, Respond and Meet.  The basic match-making service is free.

Here is how MatchActivity team define their mission: “Our vision is to change how people meet online and date offline. We believe that an activity date provides the best structure and context for a first time meeting. How did we arrive at this conclusion? We’re young, we’re single, and we’re active in the culture.”

MatchActivity uses modern web technology to offer localization, buddy lists, tag clouds, offer deadlines, etc. 

Source

I think this is a brilliant idea and might even function better if small groups of singles would agree to participate in activities together.  It would offer a more secure environment and would be a great alternative then a Saturday night at home in front of the television or behind a book.

Post from: Blisstree

Activity speaks louder than words

LOS ANGELES, June 12 /PRNewswire/ — DoubleDate.com, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of DoubleDate.com; a unique and absolutely free website where friends can pair-up and create profiles together. DoubleDate.com creatively blends the current popular trends of online dating with online networking through friends. Exciting features allow users to conduct searches for singles or pairs with customizable criteria to find pairs that are right for both you and your friend.

At DoubleDate.com friends answer insightful questions about each other, such as “what are my friend’s best qualities?” and “what is my friend’s ‘type’?” “A friend’s perspective is a great way to get honest, candid insights and information about new individuals. Plus friends are the greatest resource we have in meeting new people and screening those who want to meet us,” says Brian.  More….

This is a very unique concept in online dating.  It’s a great way to socialize, meet new people but remain within a safe element at the same time.

If you’re one who is hesitant on trying the online dating scene, would you be more willing to make the attempt knowing you could double date?

Post from: Blisstree

Dating Will Double In 2006

Liz H. Kelly is a dating coach and author of “Smart Man Hunting: A Fast-Track Dating Guide for Finding Mr. Right.” Her proactive dating strategy has been featured on such shows as FOX News, BBC Radio, Dick Clark’s “The Other Half” and Lifetime’s “Speaking of Women’s Health.” Her dating tips have also appeared in Cosmopolitan, Glamour, USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. Look for Liz online at smartmanhunting.com.

Post from: Blisstree

10 email flirting questions

That’s the question being posted by Cupid’s Dating.

Certainly I think we’ve all been disappointed a time or two when meeting someone in person.  Perhaps their photo was outdated or didn’t look like them at all?  Perhaps the person see’s something totally different than what we see.  It could be any number of things.

I’m not so sure if people intentionally lie in their profiles on dating sites or if they write the way the see themselves or even if they write what they think others want to read.

Do you think many people develope false expectations when it comes to online dating?  Do you think the success rates might be a bit higher if people were to be more open to the possibility that a person might be quite different than what their profile implies?

Com’on – share your thoughts!

Post from: Blisstree

Online Dating – false expectations?

To help bring lonely lovers together, 411dating.com has compiled a full range of online services related to dating such as an array of unique chat rooms designed to encourage communication, friendships, and love. Also available are thousands of online profiles of men and women for lonely singles to browse and find their perfect matches.

I reckon since everything’s so fast paced nowadays, one of the best ways to find a mate is through online dating services. I didn’t realise the diversity of the said services are until I stumbled upon this article that somehow advertises a company that offers such and free, none the less.

One notable thing about 411dating.com is what the article said about its Faith-based online dating feature. It said that it’s one of the fastest growing communities in the site. This feature also includes friendship-building activities such as prayer partnerships, pen pals and like-minded friends. I think it’s wonderful that they have specific communities for their users, that way people can be assured that they’d be meeting people whom they share something in common with.

What makes someone choose a particular dating site, I wonder? Is it because of popularity or quality of service? Or they just rely on recommendations from friends or family? The reason I ask these questions is knowing that there are tons of sites that offer almost the same services with minimal or no fee at all.

I’m not much of an “online dater” myself and believe me I did venture into this a while back but it really doesn’t suit me. I often face a lot of dodgy characters. I know I shouldn’t generalise but I guess I got burned too quickly. Besides, I’m more of a romantic and my preference is romantic chance encounters or a relationship that’s brought about by friendship.

However, I do recognise the fact that I have developed friendships through “online buddies” kind of thingies through social networks and blogging but it’s not really considered the same as online dating, right?

Source

Post from: Blisstree

Online Dating Site: 411dating.com