Dating in the Social Media Age

Dating these days is so much more involved and complicated in the age of social media. Long gone are the days of being set up on a blind date, meeting someone at a bar, or at a local dance. Dating is more publicized then it ever was. The access to dating "pool" seems never ending. I would find it safe to say that most of us have spoken to someone online that we have never met before. Could be a friend of a friend, an online classmate, or someone we may have no connection with at all. We find something in common with this person and it can easily spark a conversation on a post or thread, then it evolves into a private message, and can go as far as exchanging numbers and even meeting.

There’s something more relaxed about talking to someone online rather than having a face to face conversation. Talking to someone on a social media site you can get a glimpse of a person’s life before you even met them. You look through their pictures to see if you’re attracted to them, their posts to see if you have similar view or to see if there are any other connections. There is less pressure “hiding” behind a computer screen talking to someone. It doesn’t matter if your hair is a mess, you don’t have make up on, you’re in your pajamas, or you’re lying in bed at 2am. The person on the other end can’t see you. No need to worry about their physical impression of you. It’s a great way to break the ice.

There are websites now set up specifically for online date. You spend time creating a profile that you hope reflects how you are in person. Answering questions, writing descriptions, and posting pictures hopefully you’ll grab someone’s attention. In the case of some websites their systems will match your compatibility, no need to rely on someone’s looks, its set up for chemistry.

I personally have dated from social media interaction and from online dating websites. I think it’s a good way of meeting people. I’m a single parent who works for an airline, goes to school, and has a son in high school. It’s hard to find time to go out in hopes of meeting someone the traditional way. I’d rather take the time to talk to someone online first. Let’s see if we have something in common or are we looking for something similar. I find it much easier to get that all out of the way upfront. There’s already at least some kind of a physical attraction if we’re talking, then we can text and talk on the phone to see how we may vibe, and at that point if were both in agreement we can make plans to go out on a date. Once we do go out, there no awkwardness, no small talk just to get to know each other, we can relax going into the date and hopefully have a good time.    

Internet dating may seem taboo to some, but it seems to work for many who try it. Yes, you need to be careful, there are some people out there who aren’t honest with their intentions, or even about who they really are, but if you take proper precautions this is something that could be beneficial. You could end up meeting your soul mate and future husband or wife.