Charas Dating Stories Thread (Previously "Online Dating")

[Zerlina]

Curious if anyone here has tried it and what their experience was/is like.

Just started trying it out. Not quite sure how I feel about the whole thing :-/.

[Cerebus]

My father and brother both met their love mate on dating sites. My brother has been with his girlfriend for a couple years and had 2 kids with her. My father has been with the same woman for 8-9 years. Both had ups and downs, but are still standing strong.

I know some people could probably tell some horror stories related to dating sites, but I personally haven't heard anything really bad happening from people I know. In fact, I'd have more bad stories related to non-online dating.

I've personally considered registering, but at the same time, I'm not quite sure. Then again, low self-esteem and such.
One good thing is you can get to know someone better before actually meeting them. Yet, at the same time, it's not like lying online is that hard. Gender probably plays a role as well. I feel like girls are more likely to receive uninteresting messages since lots of guys just want some pants to get in, whereas girls tend to be more selective since they'd want more than just physical teamwork. Of course, that's mere assumptions, I could be entirely wrong.

Anyway, I'd say, go for it. Despite the bad stories you can hear, it can work pretty well. Just don't accept any suspicious invitations, just like offline dating.

[SaiKar]

I've had a whopping no luck, but I hear that's not true for a lot of people. It seems pretty legit.

[HackersTotalMassLaser]

My friend just posted about catching an amazing man. And that was through match.com.

If testimonials are anything, apparently its just a faster way to pick through weeds, but careful some weeds are terrible apparently.

Now if I could only find a place to find new reliable friends.

[Apex]

My sister met her fiance through online dating. He's a dork.

Honestly, I have nothing against it. I've met most of my girlfriends in college, and even though I'm not single now, I'd imagine if I were, it'd be a lot more difficult finding a girlfriend since graduating. Honestly, a lot of the time people don't date, is because it's difficult to meet people. If the internet can be used to bring people together with similar interest, it can certainly be used to start intimate relationships.

[DragonBlaze]

I tried it once for a few weeks, but quickly grew bored with it. A lot of friends have told me that online dating sites are full of creeps, so finding anyone worth while is like finding that needle in a hay stack. Personally, I prefer to meet people in person. Sure I make friends online, but I don't see myself gaining feelings for anyone that I haven't ever met.

I'm sure a lot of people have different experiences, but in my opinion, the best way to meet people is to get away from your computer, go out, and actually meet people.

[Prpl_Mage]

I suppose it's like any other place you can find partners. Some are good, some are bad. Some are serious, some just wants something casual.

And just like outside online dating, don't rush into things, take your time and don't go out with people who seem wierd. Also expect like 50% of the stuff they tell you to be lies or something. Also, I suppose that some sites are better than others.

[drenrin2120]

My brother met his current partner of a few years through online dating. I've had some friends try it out with minimal success. Like purp says, it can work, it can fail.

I gave it a shot once for a week or two. I was really not into it. I found it pretty awkward and stuff. but I also feel if I really gave it a shot it could've worked out once I got used to it. I say you don't really have anything to lose from trying it out

[daoman89]

Talking with someone through text or i guess instant messaging is different from personal encounters. You're more comfortable using technology to converse with people you barely know or know quite well. But then you meet in person and it might be awkward because you're used to not staring them in the eyes. If you're good at communicating in person, its not much of a problem.

I'd personally would rather meet someone in person first. Bang out some introductions and break the first layer of ice. Then you can continue to chissel away the next layer through texts or other forms of technological communications. So then next time you see them you both with be a little more comfortable with each other and since you've learned more about them through text, you can talk about common interests in person.  And then when you shatter the final layer, you'll be able to talk about the most random topics and continue a chain of conversations until one of you gets sick of the other person.

That being said, I'd rather have online dating as a last resort.  If you're an awkward or shy person, meeting someone through the internet and encountering them in person afterwards will still be kind of hard. Plus their picture might have been deceiving or their voice may irritate you or they may have bad hygiene. That's just me though, like i said, i'd rather meet someone in person first. Never again will i talk with someone through phone text before meeting them! Why? Because when i finally saw their true form and made a girly yelp! (not to their fsce, facebook pics lol).

And to the people here who think they're hideous, there is somebody that will be attracted to you!  Just be sure to be fresh and clean. Washy washy!  Show that you can take care of your body!

[Cerebus]

There's more to it than just cleanness, though.

Both online and "offline" dating have goods and bads. Many factors come into play.
I mean, you could chat with someone who seems interesting, but then find out it's not the same in person. But you could also see someone interesting, and find out that person is actually as interesting as the lines that separate the sidewalks.

For some people, online will be last resort. For other, it'll be just another method.

In both cases you can be disappointed. In both cases you can be satisfied. It all depends what kind of person you are, who you are looking for... and who you find. Yes, sure, people can lie online, but they can lie in person as well. Online usually allows you to "know" a person better beforehand (assuming the person is honest, of course) whereas in person, you see the physical appearance before anything, and then you get to know the person. People usually have some info on their page, so you can be a bit more selective. In person, you can't really do that as much.

But as Drenrin said, there is nothing to lose from trying.

[drenrin2120]

Hooray for me!

But yeah, my final stance is that it's no more or less as good or bad a way to meet someone as in any other setting. Bars suck as bad as okcupid. (which makes me wonder if part of the reason people find online dating sites so awkward or weird is because there's only one reason you would talk to someone on said site. Where as in other social settings you can easily sidestep that.) But if you're at a bar, or if you're on okcupid, then surely there might be someone else as awesome as you are there as well, or was there or will be there at some point. Kind of like learning a new language. My 8th grade Spanish teacher used to try to encourage us to learn the language if not for the cultural diversity than at least to expand our dating pool. xD

[daoman89]

i typed my last response using my gamepad.  That took longer than i wanted it to lol.

I feel like i would come off as desperate if I were too use an online dating site.  Plus as someone has mentioned before, it's much easier to lie about your gender, personality and all the other important factors. 

On the subject of finding people at a bar.  That's where I'd rather not find one.  I would prefer a girl who doesn't drink or at least barely does.  Drunk girls disgust me honestly.  Yeah, i know, finding a girl at a bar doesn't automatically mean they drink a lot, if at all.  But... the odds favor the drinking majority. 

I just want to find a girl that is fun in her sober state and enjoys doing a variety of different things.  One that's willing to try different things such as rock climbing, hiking, random sport, etc.  And if you are like that and I'm not attracted to you, sorry.  Both requirements must be met lol.  And no, that's not being picky either.  If I'm not attracted to you, you get friend-zoned.  You can say its who the person is that matters, physical attractiveness still plays a role, even it is a small one.

[Fisherson]

I've tried quite a few online sites and honestly? It's not as useful really. Mostly cause nobody has a system where you can talk unlimitedly for free on the site. It's all pay per chat or DL this engine or blah blah blah... And even if I find somebody usually I find she's too pyshically active or isn't geeky enough. =/ Sigh. I just want a girl who enjoys debating Battlestar or can speak Klingon or can tal FF without getting bored. Seems there's not allot in my area though...And I worry that dating somebody five states away won't work out. ^^ So I haven't had the best of experience with these things, though I did have one positive online "dating" moment....Phayre.  =P But then AFL got the way and made things weird. >.<

[Zerlina]

I agree on the nerdy front. Honestly, what I'm finding is that people either aren't nerdy enough, or if they are, they have no motivation to do anything besides play video games and watch anime.

I just want a nerd who actually wants to do something with his life... and likes to cuddle and watch Walking Dead >.<. 

I met a really nice guy the other night for what it counts. Unfortunately, to make a long story short, at the end of the night he decided to take a vow of celibacy.

I'm not even kidding.

[Prpl_Mage]

Unfortunately, to make a long story short, at the end of the night he decided to take a vow of celibacy.

I'm not even kidding.

This is a story I simply have to hear.