What are the pros and cons of online dating? Today so many people meet online that it's no longer considered strange to do so. It's almost hard to remember that not so long ago, you might have been labeled desperate if you signed up for an online dating site!
There's just no avoiding the fact that more and more social activity -not just dating- and even business activity takes place online. So it's perfectly natural that this would include meeting potential dates and mates. Yet, there are still potential pitfalls along with the benefits. Let's look at both.
Main Pros of Online Dating
- Simple and convenient - many people are short on time, and nothing is simpler than logging on to a dating site and finding people.
- Access to large numbers of people
- You can filter out people according to your preferences
Many dating sites to choose from, including specialized ones (by interest, age, religion, etc.)
Main Cons of Online Dating
- You aren't always sure if people are who they say they are
- Can be expensive
- You may meet people who live too far away
The Honesty Issue
The issue of honesty is a big one for many people. Of course, you don't always know for sure how honest people are in "real life" either. But if someone looks 55 and they tell you they're 25, it's fairly obvious in person. Online, they can post an outdated photo. It's also easier for people to hide inconvenient facts about themselves, such as being married!
How do you overcome this potential problem? Only by using your judgement and getting to know someone little by little. At the same time, it's good to arrange at least a casual face to face meeting as soon as possible. If someone is reluctant to meet you offline, this should be a red flag that something might not be right!
Other issues, such as distance, can be dealt with by screening the people you search for. If you really like someone, of course, distance might not be a deal breaker!
As for the cost, if you join one good online dating site, you don't have to spend a fortune. It only becomes expensive if you sign up for multiple sites and then forget about it. Meanwhile, you are paying monthly fees. If you're going to sign up for a site, use it!
Online Dating: a Real Opportunity
Overall, online dating provides us with a real opportunity to meet new people. It may not be for everybody, but if you spend a lot of time online anyway, why not spend some of it searching for your ideal mate... or at least someone with whom you can have some fun?
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