Online Dating

The world of online dating has definitely expanded the options available for those of us single and looking for someone to get date.

I know of several couples who have had success in online dating.  Two of my friends met through eHarmony, got married several years ago and are a great couple!  My sister met her boyfriend of nearly a year online and he seems like a great guy and a good fit for her.

On the flip side, there are more stories than I'd care to share about the craziness of online dating.  Suffice it to say, there is someone for everyone and, based on some of the guys I've heard from via online dating sites, there is definitely quite a variety to pull from.  And not all of it is on the lines of what I personally am looking for although I'm sure there is a woman out there who'll fit the bill for what they're looking for!

It amazes me the approach some guys (and to be fair, I'm sure an equal number of women) take.  On the one hand, I appreciate that some guys are upfront, honest, and direct about what they want even if it is a complete 180 degrees apart from what I'm looking for.  There's something to be said for knowing exactly where you stand and what the other person is actually looking for from the get-go.

On the other hand, some of these guys really cross the line of what's appropriate to say when you're first getting to know someone.  Some of the initial messages I've gotten from guys are so inappropriate that it amazes me that a) they actually think that approach will work and b) that some women actually fall for that approach!  There's something to be said for allowing for a bit of mystery and allowing yourself the chance to get to know someone first before laying all your cards on the table.

At dinner the other night, a friend of mine and I were talking about the various online dating sites available and which ones are "better" than others.  In my experience, there is a wide mix of people on all of the available sites but there are definitely some that have more of those more forward / direct guys than other sites.

Part of me wishes though that online sites were available specifically by what you're looking for.  For example site A would be for those who just want casual dating, site B would be for those who want committed relationships but who aren't necessarily looking to get married, and site C would be for those who are looking to get married.  Then you'd know that, depending on which site you went to, everyone else there would be looking, in theory at least, for the same thing you're looking for.

Or maybe I just need a fairy godmother who'll wave her magic wand and send prince charming my way!