Everyone, but everyone, is getting married. Yes, even you’re probably getting married. You just don’t know it yet.
It’s been just over 3 months since the N thing and I think I’m ready to start doing new things. Meeting new people. Having some fun. There’s only so much moping around one can do on a Saturday night. I’ve complained endlessly about how lonely I’ve been and so now I’ve decided to actually do something about it.
And this is where you come in, dear reader.
I’m contemplating the online thing. Does it still have such a stigma against it that I need to call it “thing”? Can’t I just come out and say I’m thinking about online dating? It’s given people blog fodder in the past. Could I be one of those? Could I put myself through it?
If the answer to these questions is yes, I could and I will, how do I go about it? Where do I start? How would I describe myself?
“Sad lonely old woman looking for a fling to cheer herself up.”
Somehow I don’t think that’s going to be a winner.
Over to you.
if you’re just looking for a fling why sign up for an internet dating site that will cost you money? Get out and about in social places with friends and you’ll soon be able to pick up a fling!
If you are actually looking for a relationship (serious or otherwise) then go for the online profile.
“Foxy mid-twenties seeks like-minded rugby bloke with penchant for wine and cheese for fun and frolics”
You’re probably right there. Why pay for something which I could probably get for free? I just don’t know what I want at the moment. *Love* your tag line though! You’ve done this before.
I met my husband online nearly 9 years ago. We met in a regioanl chat room.
I know I know, it sounds crap and cheesy, but it wasn’t!
Ha! I met N online too (shhhhhh!) and we lasted 4 years so, yes, I know it can happen.
I’ve met a couple of my boyfriends on the internet. One turned out to be a loser. One is now my best friend in the whole world.
As long as you tell people where you’re going and are safe at all times, you’ve really got nothing to lose.
I know so many people that do internet dating that I really don’t think there’s a stigma attached to it now. The way I see it, it’s far more efficient than trying to meet someone in a bar. At least you can see what they’re interested in from the start!
x
I think that’s what I like about the whole online thing – the fact you can weed out the randoms before you meet them (hopefully). Or at least, you can be totally shallow with regards to looks!
I don’t think at this point that there’s any stigma attached. I know a few people who have met absolutely wonderful partners online. I myself detest it with the fire of a thousand suns. I don’t have the patience required to stick it out. But if you do, by all means, get at it!
I haven’t done anything about it yet and yes, I tend to get pissed off quite quickly with the whole thing quite quickly. We’ll see!
I don’t see that there’s any harm in trying it out, providing you don’t have high expectations going in. Never done it myself, but those I know who have done have very, very mixed results – I get the impression its a bit like panning for gold.
I think you would do a lot better if you got a single friend and went out for the night with the purpose of chatting to (but not getting involved with) as many blokes as possible, and swapping numbers with those who you enjoy talking to. A sort of personal speed dating service in and around London, organised by you. But then I’ve always been a bit of a traditionalist like that…
It’ll have to be a fat ugly single friend though
I say go for it!
Thanks love! I may well do.
There’s nothing wrong with it per say…but personally, I’m not at that stage yet. Give real life a go first I reckon. Then when that’s exhausted, try other options.
Hey Jo – you’re right in some ways. Think when I wrote this post I was feeling particularly lonely. Feeling a little better now. Will wait a while I think.
Tried it once…a friend convinced me. She met the guy she’s now married to; I met some crazies and threw in the towel super fast.
But, I figure, how you meet the person doesn’t matter too much – try it and don’t worry about the stigma!
[Although my friend has never admitted to anyone other than me that she met her hubby online!]
I never told any of our friends how I met N either. I always said “blind date”!
Moo, I met Soph online. Not in a dating kind of way, she stumbled on to my (old) blog. I did try the online thing and met three very lovely girls. Neither who was right for me – but two of whom I’m very close friends with. So yeah, give it a go. Sure there are crazies out there in internet land but there are crazies and toads and not too many princes in the real world either.
You have to kiss a lot of toads before you meet your prince… or is that frogs?
I say go for it! But beware, unless you know what you are looking for, and are ready for it, you may hurt a few blokes along the way. Just be open about what you want on your profile (without making it sound like you want a shag, youll only get the wierdos then) and im sure you can dip your toe in. The boyf’s mum has just met a lovely man through match.com, so it can happen!!
Hurting boys? I don’t really like doing that although it would make a change!
I think you’ve got nothing to lose by trying it. You may not meet someone, but you may meet someone you can be friends with, who may in turn have friends that you could meet.
As for the stigma, it could be a brilliant game you and your furture partner play, seeing who can invent the best ‘story’ of how you met. ‘Well, there was this sabre-tooth tiger, right…’
Semaphore – you sound like you’d be great fun to have at dinner parties
You’re right though, nothing to lose but… as above responses… think I’m going to wait a while.
You’ve got nothing to lose and might even meet the man of your dreams. Just take the usual safe precautions and only meet them on neutral ground until you really get to know them and tell someone else where you are going to be.
Thanks love. I’m normally quite good with meeting strangers. Luckily, I’ve been er… lucky… so far.
i’ve done it. i didn’t have much success with it. i seemed to attract men who wanted 1 night stands or friends with benefits…
i did however meet my soon-to-be fiance (he said the ring that’s coming shortly makes it official, such a goof!) online through a game i use to play all the time…
i say: meet them in a place that has peoples and that you know well. meet them there don’t let them pick you up, not until your a few dates in and your comfortable with them…
remember to have fun!
Oooo – I love soon-to-be’s. You’ll have to show us the ring when it comes!
Awfully late on this – apologies. I’ve met a number of friends and a fair few partners online – although usually in a more organic way (i.e. blogging, rather than overtly seeking people out on dating sites). I have tried it though, and have met some cool people. Like Jenna said though, you do have to be in it for the long haul, as there’s a lot of people out there who are single for a *reason* so there’s a fair bit of wading to be done. Oh, and some of the sites attract a lot more naff people than others.