So......online dating sites; yay or nay?

by tim hooper 42 Replies latest social relationships

• 

  luffy

  I was unhappily married, met someone online actually through a card playing site. We played cards and chatted for almost two years before he proclaimed undying love and despite him being in the U.S and me in Europe, we decided we wanted to be together. To cut a long story short, I divorced my husband, and no sooner had I done so he meets a JW in a store and decides to convert, hence my ending up here.

  Call me naive but after two years spending hours and hours chatting, sharing life stories, pics and long distance telephone calls, and having checked his background online I thought I couldnt go wrong. Guess the last thing I could have imagined was the JWS would get a hold of him!!!!!!

  Seriously though, we spent a great two years "together" and despite the heartache I feel I was just unlucky, had he not converted Im sure we could have spent a great life together. Be sensible and go with your instinct, you can meet nutters offline just as you can online, but you can always check them out, ask to see them on cam so you know who you are talking to etc...

  Anyways...goodluck, Im still recovering from my online dating experience but have met many great friends online who are worth their weight in gold
• 

  Robdar

  E-harmony sucks. They match you up to others who choose some of the same answers that you picked from their multiple choice questionaire. They pay no attention to the information that you tell them in the essay questions. For example, I stated in my essay questions that I love animals and they kept hooking me up with hunters.

  Try the on-line services if you want to meet Jesus freaks, married men/women, and drunks. There are some serious losers using on-line dating services. "Caveat Emptor"--Let the buyer beware.

  Good luck in your search.

  Robyn

  *edited to remove some info that may be too personal*
• 

  UnConfused

  LOL@ hooking you up with hunters! "Nice kitty, (pat pat) , nice kitty" BLAM!
• 

  flipper

  Tim, Mr. Flipper here. So e-harmony didn't work for two otherpeople that wrote in. It doesn't mean that it won't work for you. It worked great for me, I mean what have you got to lose but just a little time by taking a chance, ya know?You have to stay positive. Give it a chance. My wife and I are happy. Never had that kind of connection before. Peace, Mr. Flipper
• 

  MariAruet

  I would find it very difficult to fall for someone I've never met. In an email anyone can sound great, one of my firends spends hours thinking what to write to her boyfriend in Canada so of course when someone reads her emails thinks, what an awesome lady ;-). She is not bad but a bit cheky in that sense.
  But if you can't meet them and if online is the only way, then at least try getting an email from them every day, that way you will get a feel of them both in their positive and negative light
• 

  Robdar

  LOL@ hooking you up with hunters! "Nice kitty, (pat pat) , nice kitty" BLAM!

  LOL at UnConfused.
• 

  Crumpet

  Whats wrong with JWD as an online dating site? I've met plenty here! LOL!

  I think myspace is a good start...easy to find people in your own country and I think there's an area where it will send you potential mates etc.

  I met one of my best friends off Londonlesbians.com which is part of the TangoWire dating network. Of course you aren't a lesbian so it wont help you.

  Other sites that are free and can hook you up with people in the same town include Flirtbox and Facebook.

  Happy hunting!
• 

  Jim_TX

  "Whats wrong with JWD as an online dating site? I've met plenty here! LOL!"
  
  Not knocking JWD, but one still needs to be careful. I've met a few really nice folks from ex-JW forums (including JWD), and I've also met some that... well... just be careful.
  
  Plus, I am not that interested in religion anymore. Some on JWD are. Using something like Match.com - or other 'match'-ware sites... one is usually able to specify that they are - or are not - interested in finding someone who is 'religious'. There are also other filtering criteria one is able to use - that JWD does not have - that one is able to use for 'filtering' out those folks that one may not be compatible with.
  
  Another thing that one can get with the online dating sites - one is able to 'localize' the search. From experience - long-distance relationships (LDRs), even if they are in a nearby town, are usually not that successful. I tried it once with a gal in Australia. It didn't work that well. The time difference also didn't help. Of course, I know that there are success stories with LDRs, too.
  
  Disclaimers - Some restrictions may apply. Your mileage may vary. Not available in all states.
  
  Regards,
  
  Jim TX
• 

  helncon

  These online dating services can be a great start in getting back into the dating game.

  But like the others have said they can all sound good in emails and online chats and you may fall for them but what counts is what happens in real life.

  I had a cousin who met a girl on a JW site fell in love moved to the US, married.I felt sorry for her i knew what she was getting herself into... Makes me laugh she did a runner a few months after they were married he had to come back to aussieland to his mummy and daddy.

  Been a long time since i have been in the dating game and don't wish it upon anyone i know its scary, but write down what you are looking for and what you may be willing to comprisie on.

  Good Luck

  Helen
• 

  tim hooper

  Thank you everybody!

  I'm still mulling this one over; some might say procrastinating.....

  A couple of points need clarification though;

  I'm NOT looking for a long-distance cyber relationship here. (The pragmatist in me tells me that isn't really much point in yearning after a person thousands of miles away, when an equally lovely honey could live just aroiund the corner). What I'm interested in doing is using a dating site to just load the odds in my favour by way of narrowing down the available 'market', and then to (eventually) meet one or a few women local to me who I might just get along with.

  I've taken a look at Flirtbox (free) and match.com (pay), and it seems that each attract their own level of member. As dear Crumples put it, if I'm only after fun and a shag then a free site may be the way to go, whereas a pay site will automatically screen out most of the impulsive, drunk, late-night dares and multiples (bless 'em!).

  In the meantime, it's fun to research and look at profiles!

  Traditionally, and quoted for a giggle only, a single middle-aged man is really only interested in;

  a) A short skirt and a pulse, followed by....

  b) A waistline and some equity.

  c) No dependant children.

  tim