Dating online

Moe Szyslak

Hi All,

just need a bit of advise really,

i have been single for a good while, god knows why im not a weirdo or bad looking lol

i am trying internet dating at the moment, but its not great

i was wondering if any of you had tips for dating on the net, profile pic, profile layout, icebreaker etc

Siuin

Personally I'd recommend not going on a dating site, but instead checking out sites where you can meet people with common interests such a language learning site, sports site etc. I met my boyfriend on a language site and 2 years on, things are still going great

solovely

I can't believe you haven't got more positive responses yet, although there is whole threads on this in the ladies lounge and other places, so you might be better reading those first.

My advice would be contrary to I think what everyone else will say, but here goes anyway. Not sure if you're male or female, so this advice is for females really.

A couple of things to note first:
There are way more men than women on dating sites
The majority of them are either married, just out for sex or socially weird
There are still plenty of good ones despite what you think when you sign up first
When you sign up first you will be bombarded with emails from all of the first three types, which puts most girls off initially. Just delete delete delete. I made the mistake of thinking I had to be polite and reply to the weirdos....don't!!

My tips would be:
You be in control, don't let them control you
Do this by having a very bland profile page. Don't put up any pics. Put up a truthful, but short and humorous descroption. Don't lie about any of the vitals.
Then do a refined search for what you are looking for.
Remember there are lots more men, so they can put the effort into making their profile stand out, you shouldn't have to.
You do the approaching.
In your approach make it warm, friendly, fun and interesting - maybe a paragraph or two. And include a photo here if you can.
If you are using a website that doesn't allow you to attach photos, then set up a flickr account or something with a few photos of yourself and send them a link to those.
Try to avoid any of the following photos (and in my opinion avoid guys who have any of the following pictures as their profiles)
- self portraits, especially ones taken in the bedroom, but any self portrait...it shows you have no friends and are vain.
- ones of you with a bottle of beer/ cigarette in your hand
- really posed, made up, nights out type
- photos with others, especially guys
Try include photos that are fun and natural, maybe outdoors, holiday types.

Always use proper grammar and spelling (full stops and capital letters, not like above!!). There is nothing more offputting than seeing somebody who hasn't even gone to the effort of being legible. Would you send out a CV with poor grammar and spelling? I doubt it, and isn't finding a partner even more important than a job?

If a guy replies, try get the emails to be a bit longer, and if he hasn't asked you out by email 4-5, I'd back off. Online dating should lead to real dating....your intention is not to get a new penpal! If a guy hasn't asked you out by email 4-5, don't be afraid to say jokingly "so when are you going to ask me out then?", or "why don't you show me that in the real world" or something like that.

Personally, it wasn't for me, but I had a bit of fun and met some nice people out of it. I wouldn't knock it and definitely think any single person should give it a go...for life experience if nothing else!!

Ickle Magoo

This is not an issue you are having with a relationship and require advice on as per the purpose of this forum so I'm locking this thread.

If you want info on online dating you might find some useful reading in The Ladies Lounge and Gentleman's Club respectively here and here.

All the best. :cool: