Match.com claims that one in four relationships begin online. If this is true, there is a good chance that you, a friend, or coworker has an online dating profile. Dating sites and apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Datemyschool.com have taken over the dating sense. So, should you try it out?
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Pros:
Online dating sites have more than 20 million people browsing their profiles a month. So when you sign up and create a profile on a dating site, you’ll be exposed to thousands of people all there for similar reasons. You meet people you might not ordinarily get to meet in your everyday life.
Online dating is convenient. It bring the singles of the world and you get to decide what exactly you’re looking for when you come across someone’s profile. It filters out that awkward limbo phase where you’re stuck trying to decipher if a guy wants to date you, or just hook up with you.
Dating websites will ask you to list what you’re looking for when you create a profile. Do you have a height requirement? Do his political views matter? Is age a major factor? Even better, you can also search profiles by your interests, too.
Cons:
We’re all looking for someone to sweep us off our feet. When you sign up for a dating site, you might happen to come across someone you know from the real world. While it may be a little bit awkward getting caught in the act, you’re both there for the same reason and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
When you meet someone online, it is inevitable that when you finally get together, things could be a little uncomfortable. Do you live up to what they were expecting? Does he look better in his picture than in person? What if we’ve already talked about everything we have in common? It’s typical to be nervous on a first date, but it’s a little more nerve-racking when you’re meeting in person for the first time.
It is also important to be careful while using a dating website. Most of us are familiar with Catfish on MTV, where people make fake profiles and create fake relationships with real people. While we would all like to believe that would never happen to us, it could. So be careful with who you interact with on the internet.
So you decided to sign up for online dating and have a date. Now what?
If you decided to try online dating and are going to meet someone in person, always remember these safe dating tips:
Tell a friend
You may be hesitant to tell your friends your going out on a date with someone you’ve never met, but it’s important to let someone know where you’re going, who you’ll be with, and what time to expect you back.
Meet in public
Although seeing his super cool house or apartment may be appealing, you should always meet in public. It lessens your chances of being in a dangerous situation and it ensures that there are people around incase anything sketchy happens.
Make your own transportation arrangements
This way you are able to leave if you feel uncomfortable while on your date. If you go to a bar or a party, your date might drink and end up not being able to take you home. This way you can leave when you want to. It also prevents your date from knowing your address.
Watch your drink
Even if you only sit it down for a second get a new drink, many date rape drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless. There’s no way of knowing if someone slipped something in. When you’re dealing with drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Although online dating may not be for everyone, if you decide to give it a try just remember to be smart and be safe!