Online dating is not a new concept, and yet many people still desperately cling on to the misconceptions, myths and misunderstandings that have plagued this route to romance since the 1990s.
Here we debunk some of the most common theories.
It’s a commonly held misconception that the only people frequenting online dating sites are those that the process of natural selection has deemed to be unfit for breeding. The ugly, the awkward, the rude, those that real-life dating has left behind who flock together in desperate search of a match with anyone with a pulse.
Wrong.
People from all walks of life use dating sites. Maybe they live in a small town or rural location, maybe they work odd shift patterns so socialising in bars is difficult, or maybe they work in an environment dominated by their gender. Or, perhaps they simply prefer to get to know someone better through exchanging online messages before they meet in real life. Maybe they’re tired of being hit on in bars, and want to build rapport before getting physical.
With monthly subscriptions to pay, and the expense of frequent dates, online dating could be a costly business.
You can save yourself the regular fee by joining a free dating site instead. As for the cost of going on a date, this can be mitigated too. Create a list of inexpensive first-date ideas, and don’t be scared to be upfront about splitting costs. There’s no need to whip out your calculator or agree percentages. Keep it casual by suggesting you get the cinema tickets and the other person gets the snacks, or buy alternate rounds of drinks. Ladies don’t expect the man to stump up the full cost of every date, this isn’t 1925. Make a genuine offer to pay your way, and don’t judge the date based on who pays for what.
Couples are asked to regale friends and family with the story of how they met throughout the time they date and at all future big occasions. Do you think telling Granny that you met online sounds lame? Are you worried your cousins will snigger when they find out you met through a dating agency?
Let’s get a little perspective on this dilemma. You join an online dating site, meet someone, fall in love, introduce them to your nearest and dearest, and at this point you will be embarrassed about your ‘how we met story.’ So you would rather not meet them at all? This doesn’t seem a sensible route to finding love. There are much more embarrassing stories out there – trust me.
In part, this stems from that other popular myth that friends you only contact through social media aren’t real friends at all. Firstly, how you meet someone does not influence the validity of the relationship you have with them. Secondly, would you really rather not meet them at all than face criticism over how you met? And finally, many people find love in very strange places. Patients in adjacent hospital beds, while drunk at a party, while waiting in a queue at the coffee shop; there’s no one way to connect with someone that ensures your love is real.
If you’re looking for love, open your mind, step away from your preconceptions, and get started by building your profile today. The quality of the relationship you build far outweighs any importance placed on your method of meeting.
