Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy a Membership to an Online Dating Service
But, does it really work? For every happy and successful marriage, there are hundreds more people who strike out when it comes to finding love online, and its not because they weren’t trying.
Here are ten reasons why online dating may not be for you:
10. Online Dating Stigma
Online dating has become a more acceptable means of meeting a potential mate, especially among young, busy professionals. In fact, a few years ago, ABC aired a show “Hooking Up” that followed 11 women through the trials and tribulations of trying to find a guy online.
However, there is still a stigma attached to online dating. Are you prepared to admit to your parents, your sweet old grandmother, and everyone else in your life that you met your match online? If you’re not prepared to admit the truth, then that might be a sign that you’re not completely comfortable with dating in a virtual world.
9. Not Everyone is Doing It
Ads and news stories touting online dating are all around us, but it’s popularity is declining. According to Online Dating Magazine, in 2003 it was estimated that three million people paid for an online dating service listing. However, as of February 2005, 33% fewer consumers are browsing online personals today than they were in 2004.
8. Paying to Find a Mate
Yes, meeting people is hard. Any single person will tell you that. But if you step away from the computer, join a networking group for young professionals, volunteer for a nonprofit organization, or sign up for a class through your local recreation program, you will meet many like-minded people and may learn something new in the process.
7. What if You Had Been Born 100 Years Ago?
There were no Yahoo Personals or Match.com sites to help you find a mate. Some things are better online – shopping, getting up-to-the-minute news, and booking hotel reservations. Singles have coped without online dating for centuries and perhaps dating is one thing didn’t need to be replaced with an online alternative.
6. Missing the Initial Spark
When you are clicking on profiles, it is possible to be intrigued by what someone has written. But because many dating sites allow you to get to know someone before you have to commit to meeting them in real-life, you will never really get that “spark” or “wow” factor that you get in traditional dating situations.
5. In It For the Wrong Reasons
This is a complaint from many women who use online dating services – there are people online looking for one thing, and a serious relationship is not it. These people may tell you just about anything to worm their way into their heart (or their bed).
4. Dishonest Profiles
When you fill out your profile on a dating site, you are honest in describing yourself and expect that everyone else is taking their profile as seriously as you are.
Not everyone does. They may fudge a few details like their age, height, weight, real hair color to make themselves more desirable. They may even post a picture that is a few years old and makes the look attractive.
Some people take it much further and lie about marital status or children. Some even invent a virtual personality that in no way reflects who they really are.
You may catch these “fakes” as you’re exchanging emails and getting to know them when you pick up on inconsistencies in their stories or get a “bad vibe.” But other times, they may be so good at bringing their virtual personality to life that you may not discover the truth until you have met for a date or become emotionally involved.
3. Safety
The routine on dating sites is pretty standard. You “wink” at a person. You start exchanging emails which leads to phone conversations, and then, when a comfort level has been established, a date.
It’s important to remember that in spite of “getting to know” your date via emails and phone conversations, you might not know them as well as you think you do (see reason #6). In fact, the person you are meeting may actually be hiding a criminal history or planning to do you harm.
2. They What?
In November, 2005, it was reported that two of the largest online dating services, Match.com and Yahoo Personals, are facing major lawsuits from users who allege fraudulent behavior.
The lawsuit brought against Yahoo Personals alleges that the service has padded membership base with fake profiles. The lawsuit against Match.com, alleges that the online dating service hires employees to go out on dates with men.
1. You’re Better Than That
You are a fabulous single person who will find Mr. or Ms. Right. It may take time, patience, and you may have to endure some bumps along the road to love. But, it’s those bumps that make the journey interesting, give you something to dish with your friends about, and will make you appreciate “the one” when they come along.
