This is either going to surprise you completely or not at all. Well, I think.
I never thought I would be writing about this topic, but here I am. I was never a big fan of online dating until a couple months ago. No, I didn't meet the man of my dreams a couple months ago. I'm not encouraging you to throw traditional dating out the window completely. What I'm trying to say is that this is a way to find someone. Whether you are looking for a relationship, or just friends. It isn't perfect, let me tell you that. There are some holes in the system. There are creeps out there. But there are creeps any where you go.
So here is a list of a few things that I like about online dating.
1. You aren't going to get set up with someone that didn't "swipe left", which is kind of refreshing, you're not going to get matched up with someone who didn't feel the same way. why waste your time talking to someone if they aren't interested? This isn't completely a solid foundation to finding someone valuable for a relationship, but you aren't going to talk to someone on a dating site that didn't think you were pretty/handsome, etc. I think it saves a whole lot of heart break of the "you're not my type" kind of rejection.
2. if things don't work out with someone you are matched up with, you can block them, "unmatch" them, or whatever you do to get them to stop messaging you. you don't even have to have a reason or give them a reason why things just didn't click between you. once you remove them from the list of people that you're set up with, you don't have to see them again. unless you want too. but why would you in the first place if things were just too awkward?
3. yes, i know the majority of guys are just looking for a "hook up" (i'm fully aware that this really isn't a positive point) but you weed them out like you would any other dating type. if you meet someone in person (not via online dating), just meet them on the street and they just asked you to hook up with them, you can turn the other cheek and keep walking. the good thing about this is that when a guy gets to graphic or inappropriate, you can block him. no need to put up with his shit.
4. MOST guys are honest with you. same goes for the ladies. this is a two way street here. most people do lie on dating sites just to make them seem professional, smart, or whatever. but if they are lying about themselves, the lies will start to surface and that is when you block them. no need to get hurt by it. move along, here. next.
5. use your discretion. if you like older guys/older girls, change your range of age. if you like them in a certain mile radius, change your range there. if you like guys at the age 25- 30, you won't start seeing guys that are clearly in there 80's. cause that would be weird and read reason 4 above.
6. if something seems odd about this person (fake looking picture, nothing in the about me section, etc.) you don't have to talk to them. the dating sites are not forcing you to talk to a number of guys/girls. you talk to however many people you want to talk too. you don't have to meet a quota or a goal. so you can talk to 100 guys or none at all. it is completely up to you. if you are paying an online dating website, i wouldn't suggest wasting your money if you aren't going to talk to anybody.
7. i've met a few guys that i have met online (well actually one) and he wasn't what he said he was. because he never talked to me again. he gave me a fake name and everything. but i didn't cry over spilled milk. you shouldn't get attached to people that you meet online. just don't. please. this really isn't a reason why i like online dating, it is more of an "this happened to me, don't let it happen to you" kind of situation. don't meet up with somebody if something doesn't seem right about it.
and finally, BE SAFE. please. please. please, be safe.
i used to think that everybody that was on an online dating website, they must be so desperate that they can't find anybody any other way. but now i understand why people go online. it's hard to find people that you are compatible with, work a full-time/part-time job, have a social life, etc without trying to have someone help you out. i'm not saying that you are going to find your husband if you go to an online dating website. what i am trying to say is that is not what you think if you thought like me. if you do choose to online date, be smart about it. don't fall for every guy on there. be truthful and honest. but don't be too honest. if someone makes you feel uncomfortable, don't talk to them anymore. every dating website is different, so don't get it too the curb if #ChristianMingle doesn't work out for you. If you have any (nice, don't be mean) comments about your experience with online dating, if you liked it or didn't like it, anything to add why you like online dating that I didn't mention, comment below. I would love to hear your input.
With that being said, you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
--the girl with the bird tattoo.