Dating Sites

Remember the days when people advertised in the newspapers and magazines for ‘dates’? One still sees these ads in the daily press occasionally but there is something ‘off-putting’ about them. I always think that the man or woman who places the ad must have a really bad social life to be reduced to advertising. And who will respond, I wonder? Surely only undesirables, or in the case that the ad is placed by a woman, married men looking for some excitement. The undeniable stigma associated with advertising for a date eventually led to the end of the advertising strategy as a means of social networking. Those days are over, thanks to the advent of the internet and online dating.

Today it is online dating that has developed into the mainstream of the singles dating scene. There are many sites on the internet, all accessible by the click of a mouse. Hundreds and maybe thousands of people use online dating sites to meet friends for casual dates and long-term partners. Online dating has provided people who have no other chance of succeeding in dating with a legitimate and discreet means of communication in their search for a partner.

To make things much easier for the searcher, the various online dating sites have specialized as well. There are online dating sites for people of specific religious faiths, such as Christian dating sites, Jewish dating sites, Catholic dating sites and other variations of these sites.

Why is it that Catholics, Jews or Christians prefer to search online dating sites dedicated to their own religions? The reasons for this are many. Take the following reasons as examples:

In the search for a ‘Lifetime Partner’. Many people believe that in a successful and happy marriage or relationship, two persons must have the same beliefs. Mixed marriages are known to be more difficult and require more work on the part of the parties to keep them together.

In the search for a ‘Date or a Friend’. Online dating enables people of a certain religious faith a way to meet and communicate with others who have the same spiritual beliefs. It is also a convenient way to connect with other people who you know will be happy to discuss religion. Online dating allows church workers to seek help for the church and spread awareness about their missionary work or their religious seminars and other events.

In the search for ‘New Acquaintances or Friends’. Let’s say you have moved to a new neighborhood, city or state. If you wish to make new acquaintances or friends quickly, log into an online dating site that specifically provides networking services for people of your religion and one that has a geographical section. This will enable you to find the local chapter of the church, and they will have people to help introduce you around your new community. You will also make contact with others in your new community who wish to meet you.

Logging into an online dating site that caters to your specific faith is an assurance that you will find people of your faith. You can even narrow your search further to believers in your immediate locality and your sect or denomination. You can be in control of who you meet and who you date.

Dating is a world on its own and there are no limits to the game and no end of new ventures going on in the world of dating. The most important thing to remember is that dating is a game and is supposed to be fun. Don't treat it as a serious do-or-die mission. If you don't enjoy dating, don't do it!

In the "good old days" and maybe still in some places, finding a dating partner is more or less limited to your own social circle. But in our current hi-tech cyberspace world, in internet online dating, your choices are unlimited and can be world wide. But online dating carries its own risks and dangers and requires some control.

Another new phenomenon in the singles dating scene is speed dating. This requires a lot of hard work by the organizers but by all accounts it is being cautiously considered as being successful.

You yourself may even be an unwitting matchmaker. Have you ever tried to ‘fix someone up' with a friend or a friend's friend? Do you invite people around hoping that some of them with pair up with others and leave together at the end of the evening? The idea of starting up a matchmaking business is not that crazy. Perhaps you are good communicator and are good with inter-personal relationships. Those attributes would put you in front in the matchmaking business.

Blind Dating
I knew a woman who went on a blind date once. The evening was a disaster by all accounts. She took an instant dislike to the man, they had little in common and she couldn't wait for to get home. She swore she would never go on a blind date again and no matter how lonely she was, she never did, despite my pleading with her. Just because one blind date turned out to be bad, it doesn't mean that all blind dates will be the same, I said. But she refused. And who knows what she missed?

I tried to explain to her that she too had to invest something to make the dates work and she had to search in many places to look to for dating assistance:

1. Go for a casual date.
Relax, you're going on a blind date. Not to receive a proposal of marriage. Stay cool. Don't go to an expensive restaurant. Go for hamburgers in the park so you can feel free and relaxed. Keep remembering that it is nothing more than a blind date and you can take it or leave it.

2. Online dating site
Choose an online dating site. These may or may not belong to traditional dating companies that have expanded their services and are providing dating services via the internet.
Remember to stay alert when dating through the internet. In addition to all the success stories there are some bad stories as well. Do not give out your primary e-mail address for online dating purposes, but create an anonymous e-mail account, such as Hotmail, G-mail, Yahoo, etc.

If you are new to online dating sites you may have many questions about finding a date online. You have maybe heard stories about how it is not safe or that you will not find a long lasting relationship online. This is not true. If there wasn't a demand for online dating there would be no sites offering it. Actually there are many sites on the web and by all accounts, their success rating is high.

3. The church
The church talks a great deal about love, marriage and family life and plays its part in the encouragement of supporting relationships with others. The churches hold dances, social evenings and barbecues. Take full advantage of these. Even if you don't meet someone special you are assured of a good time.

4. The blind date
You friend has fixed you up with a blind date or you have set up a blind date resulting from an Internet contact. Don't go to a blind date without having any hint as to what kind of person you are about to entrust your evening with. A little bit of planning will go a long way toward having a successful blind date. Talk on the phone. Email each other. Do some basic background checking that will make you less worried when the actual date happens.

Keep your first blind dates casual and informal. This does not mean that you can show up in torn jeans and a ripped tee shirt. You don't have to be in the latest fashions or straight out of a magazine, but do your best to look good. Don't overdress and arrive with a plunging neckline either. Come dressed decently. Not only will you look good, but you will feel good about yourself too.

No matter how you prepare for your blind date, it may still not turn out well. There's little you can do to save it. If the chemistry is wrong or you hate your date right off or even if one or both of you is on the wrong foot or having a bad day, cut it as short as you can and leave. Be polite and respect your date and they will hopefully do the same for you. There will be other dates.

Don't drag out the first date too long. Better to keep it short and set a time for a second date. One to three hours is plenty for a date, especially the first dates with a new partner. Don't obligate the other party or feel that you are obligated to stay for hours and hours.

5. Dating services
These work, especially for those people who are naturally shy about meeting others or for those who are desperate about finding a partner and who just don't seem to be able to put the thought into action. Using a dating service is quite legitimate and will solve the problem for many people. There are many such services on the internet. It is a little difficult to determine which are genuine and which are clandestine sex services but a little experimentation should make it clear quickly. There are also the "personals", services operated by Internet companies like Yahoo where date-seekers can advertise. But keep an eye open for fraudulent operators and do not give out your personal details, home address, phone number, etc. until you are sure who you are dealing with.