Internet Dating
 

We recently had some renovations done. Upon completion the contractor asked us to inspect his work while we waited for his wife, who would handle the paperwork side of things, to arrive. When she arrived we were surprised to see this chic and alluring lady stroll down the driveway, we were equally surprised to hear her thick German accent. The contractor informed us that "tomorrow is our second anniversary". We assumed that the contractor had been stationed in Germany and met his wife there, but that wasn't the case. The couple told us the long version of the short story of how they met online in a chat room, she was in Germany and he was in Chicagoland, they met and married.

Even though the way this couple met doesn't fit the classic definition of internet dating, the episode got me wondering about internet dating. Has anyone here ventured into the world of internet dating? I understand marriages that are the product of 'internet dating' are usually quite successful.

My sis met her boyfriend of 2 or 3 years off the internet... she's been living with him for at least 1.5 years. Though I guess that's supposed to increase their chance of divorce ;)

My girlfriend's sister (no, i met her at a party, in person) is getting married to her fiancee whom she met online.

It's not a bad thing, though it would suck to talk to someone on the internet for a year and then meet them and have it turn out that you the two of you have no physical chemistry.

I guy I work with is seeing/planning to marry a girl from the Phillipines. He's flown down to see her a couple times. I'll be interested to see how it plays out... He met her through cherryblossom.com or something like that...

Chatting with a woman on the Internet can be quite alluring. It's better when you also have the chance to meet each other in person as well.

Found my wife ... actually she found me .. on Match.com. Known each other for 5 years been married for 4 this Apr 4.

.....so you can know for sure if those pics he/she has posted are current or from 10 years ( or 20 lbs:eek:) ago!!!

My two rules of Internet Dating:
Rule No. 1.: No picture, no meeting!
Rule No. 2.: Never violate Rule No. 1.

I do know a couple of guys who have met and married long distance internet mates. A friend ofmine hooked up with a woman from Seattle I think and she move out here. That was at least 5 years ago and they are still together.

The other guy married a woman from Mich., who move out here with a son to live with him. It was his first marraige.

Internet communication becomes ever more the dominate way many people communicate,imo. Personal dialog and communication skills erode with each passing day.
Doesn't surprise me that this method of meeting companions and/or partners continues to grow. It fits well with ( in the US at least) the hectic lifestyles most of us lead. And it does expand your horizons and hopefully increase your opportunites to meet Mr. or Ms. Right.
...That's what they would have you believe, at any rate.;)

My niece and newphew, who both live in NYC, did the same. Each married their mate within 3 years of meeting.
:cool:

I think a lot of people like the anonimity of the Internet, because of being shy or self conscious. Talking to someone new is less stressful if (1) you're on your own turf, (2) they're not standing right in front of you, (3) you're both in a place, website that represents a common interest.

Same with me... My wife picked me out of the thousands of guys on Match back in 2001... What the HELL was she thinking to choose me I will never know...

Don't see a problem with it. This is just like the old system except you get to cast a wider net. Also, before I waste any time with the girl and money, I'd like to see if we are even going to have a chance at success. For instance, if she is insistent on being a virgin till marriage and I prefer to take the car for a test drive, why would I waste a couple of dates on her?

The way it plays out is he will be making monthly moratoriums to her family for the rest of his life.....

My girlfriend and I met on.......well.....craigslist! :P

She moved to town this past summer. One of her bosses gave her tickets for the Packers/Vikes game. Since she was new to town she posted a short ad in the platonic section looking for someone to go with her.

I figured, what the hell? Worst case scenario, I drink a couple beers and make fun of Packer's fans.

Well turns out we had A LOT in common and talked on the phone for hours a day leading up to the game. I did get a pic of her before we met, but like was stated before you never know how those are going to turn out. I was relieved, she was very attractive. Tall, 5'11", insane runner/volleyball player body.

The thing that I like best about meeting on the internet is you get straight past the bs of the first couple of dates. When you first meet someone, most people aren't 'truly themselves'. Guys for example will tell a girl he is really in to piano recitals and go to them with her just to get in her pants. When you meet on the internet your hobbies, likes/dislikes are already laid out.

When you meet on the interent you get to know the person first. Then you get to see if you click physically. Which is kinda important for a long term relationship.....

My first marriage was the opposite. We clicked physically and then tried to make it work even though we had NOTHING else in common.

This summer (before I met her) I also got lots of action off...don't laugh...myspace. I'm tellin' you, that place is a meat market.

The phone can be a pretty powerful prelude to having a relationship, too. I talked to my SO for years on the phone before we really began spending time together. Becoming friends first is definitely the way to go.

My friend and his wife met on Match.com or another similer dating site. They have been happily married for 3 years now.

I guess it works just as good as anything else.

It doesn't matter HOW you meet. There are no guarantees in life.