Thursday, July 29, 2010

Important online dating etiquette mistakes

I have heard a lot of horror stories about online dating from people who are actively within these circles and listening to them, I thought to myself – I had to pen this down somewhere as an article so that others may learn from the mistakes of a few. Dating online doesn’t mean you are unfettered of basic manners that apply to the real world – you are still on the civil leash, if you get my meaning. Some people, however, do not realise this and perform some of the more foolish things on the internet that brand them as ‘unpopular’ or even ‘weird’.

Now I know that you do not want to fall into these categories – being ostracized from a dating community that you paid subscription for is not a pleasant experience, after all you are there to find a date and possibly a life partner – not experience dejection from the seat of your computer. One of the best horror stories from the side of women is that they are appalled by men who ask them questions which have been obviously written on the profile. This means that they have not been reading the profile and based all their judgement on looks. This is akin to not looking into a woman’s eyes the first time you see her, if you get my drift. Read, read and read some more. A woman loves knowing that someone has paid attention to their profile and bothered to actually learn more about her.

Quoting from a book she read or commenting about her skills in a sport or hobby will get any man a step further into her world. Well, don’t think that I forgot about the women either – they are as prone to making online etiquette mistakes just as men; and one shining example is women asking men how much their annual salary - in the first or second conversation.

Unless you are their accountant or their mothers, you don’t ask that question. Men immediately think that you are measuring them by their wallet size and are sizing them up for a house and some kids – all before you guys even had a proper phone conversation. These are some mistakes that men and women have been making in the real world, and nothing, not even the digital world will stop them from spilling over. Other common mistakes include being too pushy, or sending too many messages and emails to another person, which makes people border on insanity. Making etiquette mistakes is now even more easy with the whole Internet Dating 2.0 experience, where some sites allow for people to adopt avatars and meet their dates in virtual space or simulated locations for a romantic ‘getaway’.

I have caught wind of some snarky singles dressing their avatars in insensitive attire (Gestapo uniforms come to mind) or appearing naked. While some might think its funny, it might be enough to get them banned and off the list, which means they have to start all over again. Just stick to the careful guns and be yourself – while at the same time feel your date out and find the right time to be truly comfortable with them. With that in mind, you can succeed in any situation and find the one for you.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

What's wrong with adult sex dating?

Nothing. I don’t see what the hype and hoo haa is all about. Some people call it a despicable and almost pornographic practice but let us be honest. We go on dates for more than just companion. We want to get busy. We want to find a sexual partner just as much as an emotional one. The world is made up of different people with different orientations and different views on the topic of sex.

I find nothing wrong if two like minded individuals with an open and healthy regard for sex find themselves on an online adult sex dating website. The world is getting more and more open minded and this is being reflected by the amount of niche and specific adult dating websites online. There is nothing to be ashamed about – especially when you take a look at the other categories that are available. All those who are saying that it is wrong and should be taken out of a medium that celebrates love should have a good hard look at their lives. Either they have some major issues about the free will of other people to practice what they want to practice or they are in self-denial. A quick look on the internet will reveal more than 1, 000 available sites that are both legitimate and in high use. The users and profiles on these sites are varied and have people and adults from all walks of life.

They cater to all sorts, even different sexual orientations. What is the point of brushing the world with a uniform spectrum when it is so interesting the way it is. It is the variety that gives the world its colour and excitement and it is the single shade of grey that is it’s one blemish. I would not have thought that in such a day and age there would be an uprising from the corners of developed countries. Parents are calling foul and say it is damaging to their young teenage children. I say there are plenty more dangerous things on the internet and I think they should be taking a look at their parenting and how they are controlling their children’s use of the internet before they even decide to damn something. I say let it go on and I support if more and more websites like adult sex dating websites pop up on the internet.

This way, a culture of bravery and honesty will pervade the cultures of different societies. Many of us do go online for physical love within the boundaries of accepted social behaviour, that is undeniable fact of society and the more we deny it as a human race, the more illicit it becomes. I think this subject should be approached with a candour and openness that online dating is now approached with. Adult sex dating is here to stay. The sites are completely safe and are bound by the same regulations and security that other dating sites have. I have said it in my opening statement and will say it again – there is nothing wrong with adult sex dating.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Online adult dating can put the fire back into your love life

We just don’t have the time anymore. I am certain that almost 50% of the world works more than an average of 90 hours a week. This means that there are hundreds of millions of people who are, at the very least, stunted in the dating scene. Being ‘single’ is no longer a social fashion statement; it is a reality that is haunting many people in the professional world. How do we get around this? How do we find the fire in our love lives that has eluded us because we simply do not have the time?

The adult dating scene is fraught with many problems and many of us who do try to get back in the game realise that it takes a while to find that right person. Disappointments and realising many months down the road that you can’t connect with the person, you realise that they have habits that drive you mad, you finally have the time to realise that you don’t share the same tastes as well. And enter the internet, the new age way for anyone to get back into the dating scene.

This is tailor made method for those of who live 75 percent of our lives in the office or on the road due to our busy schedules and it is the perfect way to connect to someone who shares the same sentiments with us on love, life and the dream of a happy togetherness. The adult dating scene is quite different nowadays. People are out for more value and although some might say it is quite a cold way to describe something as natural as human emotion; they want something more out of their investment of time and effort. The dating scene online is a brilliant way for people to get their love life in order. Initial visual anonyminity is one way for anyone to get past that stigma of looks and appearances.

Before you question my logic, I am not saying that on the internet, looks don’t play much of a factor anymore. What I am saying is that people can get over the initial shyness and the initial fear of approaching a member of the opposite sex. Think of the social equations involved and how many people have lost their almost perfect matches just because they could not get over the mole on the cheek or the way he combs his hair?

If we can get past that barrier and find the person beneath, the personality behind human imperfection that is within all of us, then we have a better chance of finding the right person for us. We can be picky – too picky sometimes and that is the downfall of many a date and the catalysts for many lonely nights for thousands and thousands of people all over the world. The online adult dating world has been created for two purposes – to ensure that love is still a priority in our lives and giving us the opportunity to find the jewel that would make our life that much brighter – all to put the fire back into your love life.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

How to succeed with adult dating sites

How we present ourselves online holds the same effects as we meeting someone for the first time. While the principles differ slightly, we are judged a lot on the things we do and say – the only difference being that the physical doesn’t come into the picture on the forefront. It is wedged in somewhere in the middle – and in actual fact, these give you an added advantage when it comes to hitching a date or getting someone to like you for who you really are.

These are just some rules you need to follow to succeed with adult dating sites on the internet. Firstly, your profile must tell a lot about you at first glance. Whether or not it includes a picture (though picture profiles have a higher chance of being noticed), your profile must tell the story that is your personality. A flimsy one or one that barely meets any sort of informational criteria will be treated with very little attention or even a bit of suspicion. Put in as many facts as you can. Don’t rely on the dating site’s templates to tell who you are.

Personalise it, write your own thoughts and your own feelings - the power of the word on the internet is quite unparallel when it comes to reaching out and grabbing the person. I call this ‘emotional copy’ and it is rampant everywhere, from sales copy to articles in an e-magazine. People respond to copy that is emotional and that is very human, words that speak to them without you having to be there at all. This is the first step. Once you can connect with another person who shares the same interests as you, then you might get a digital nudge or even a wink.

They have shown some interest and how you conduct yourself in the next few steps is really very important. Do not be pushy and demanding. Feel out the other person by just chatting them normally. Asking for numbers or even addresses right away will turn on the red light, especially for girls and you will find yourself either on their ‘ban’ list, or them not responding to you at all for the next few eons. Pace yourself. Be friendly and break the ice with a few words of greeting. Feel out the other person because they are doing the same to you. The next few conversations should help you decide whether or you want to proceed.

A good indicator is that the person keeps tagging you and you find yourself smiling at the screen a lot. Requests will come in on a sincere level, like pictures, or hobbies or even talking on the phone if you guys are in the same country. This need to find out more about each other is just the signal you need to know that the date will be a good and genuine one. As for the dating site, make sure you have signed up with one that is legitimate and one that has produced results for many couples online. All you have to do is research what you are joining and make a decision based on that and your gut instinct. After all this, I am sure you will succeed with adult dating sites and find someone you like.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Herpes dating? Some awful dating sites are not so obvious

Do not let that shock you, for I actually did find a self-named dating site with such a header. While knowing that it was a bad site was simply elementary, I decided to take a look around anyway and guess what? I was not disappointed. This reflects the fact that there plenty of phony, half way, fly by night dating sites out there put up as just a joke, to waste your time or even worse, take your money. In addition, not all of them are so obvious, so here are some ways for you to look out for bad dating sites and religiously avoid them. One of the best ways to know whether a dating site is good or not is to check how long they have been operating, especially online.

I am not saying that you should give newer dating sites a miss completely, but if they have not been around for that long, they warrant much more research. Legit dating sites, which have been keeping people happy and healthy, would have been around for years because they would be riding on the winds of recommendations from their initial customers who, with the connectivity and power of communication of the internet, would have spread to all corners far and wide. There is nothing more powerful than off site testimonials and discussion boards to find out how good the services of a dating site is and it takes just a little time and a little research to get the information that you need. When you do look at the site, look at the aesthetics of it.

The layout should be simple, they should be using a lot of clean white spaces and the spotlight should be on your profile. Shoddy design work and a low build quality means that they do not know about the mechanisms of online dating and have not put a lot of thought into the site design. This means they will not be able to help you search for the person you love and more than likely, it is a scam website meant to gather your personal information like your email and sell it to spammers.

If you cannot really judge the website by these factors, try and take a look at the profiles of some of their members. If they resemble hot model like types in skimpily dressed clothes with provocative lines then more likely than not, they are fake websites with intentions other than helping you find the date of your dreams. OR it could a website with a totally different dating niche than what you are looking for. Either way, always investigate first before filling out anything which requires you to give out your personal information especially your credit card number. While I doubt sites like Herpes dating will last so long, I hope this article at least nudges you in the right direction to surf smart and find the site that you are looking for. I would say 1 -2 out of every 5 dating websites are phony and if you know how, they are pretty easy to spot.