Online Dating Vs. In-Person Dating
What are the differences between dating someone online and dating someone in person? If you have never tried online dating before then you may be surprised by how similar it is to real dating, once you get passed all the informal “How RUs?” After all, there is such a thing as cyber cafes, cyber movie dates, cyber heart-to-heart chats, cyber revelations and even cyber, er, uh, cyber intimacy.
The Internet brings you a virtual dating world at your fingertips. If you have ever played a virtual game like Second Life or The Sims Online or participated in a 3-D environment offered by a service like Facebook, then you know there is even such a thing as virtual physical interaction on an Internet date. You can escort your date to the movies, wink or smile, or even build a fake little house together.
There are of course some differences between “real” dating and the cyber equivalent. Conversation barriers are apparent right away. A charming guy could talk to a beautiful woman for hours in person, but not be capable of much more than a “Are U single?” statement online. There is plenty of room for misinterpretation online. A simple offering like “Well, aren’t you the smart one…” could be misconstrued as a sarcastic comment when it was actually intended as a casual compliment.
Timing is also an issue if you use an instant messenger service. Typing something like “Wow that’s fantastic!!!” a few seconds too late could result in you reacting excitedly to bad news about a death in the family. Simply put, people seem to be much more sensitive online since there is an absence of positive body language. So feel free to use those smiley face icons to convey your true feelings.
Online dating actually accelerates the dating process, since you are able to emotionally and intellectually connect so well with someone, and do it so quickly. Because there are not as many awkward pauses, and because sexual tension is not as palpable, you focus more on getting to a person’s heart and soul. For single men and single women looking for serious relationships, online dating is actually far more practical than doing the old bar club scene.
Lastly, online dating is ideal for anyone who tends to be picky about their potential mate. If you have a certain religion or lifestyle viewpoint then finding someone compatible in your own hometown can be difficult. Online dating sites can help you screen your long list of potential mates and bring you only the best “fish in the sea.”
The Internet brings you a virtual dating world at your fingertips. If you have ever played a virtual game like Second Life or The Sims Online or participated in a 3-D environment offered by a service like Facebook, then you know there is even such a thing as virtual physical interaction on an Internet date. You can escort your date to the movies, wink or smile, or even build a fake little house together.
There are of course some differences between “real” dating and the cyber equivalent. Conversation barriers are apparent right away. A charming guy could talk to a beautiful woman for hours in person, but not be capable of much more than a “Are U single?” statement online. There is plenty of room for misinterpretation online. A simple offering like “Well, aren’t you the smart one…” could be misconstrued as a sarcastic comment when it was actually intended as a casual compliment.
Timing is also an issue if you use an instant messenger service. Typing something like “Wow that’s fantastic!!!” a few seconds too late could result in you reacting excitedly to bad news about a death in the family. Simply put, people seem to be much more sensitive online since there is an absence of positive body language. So feel free to use those smiley face icons to convey your true feelings.
Online dating actually accelerates the dating process, since you are able to emotionally and intellectually connect so well with someone, and do it so quickly. Because there are not as many awkward pauses, and because sexual tension is not as palpable, you focus more on getting to a person’s heart and soul. For single men and single women looking for serious relationships, online dating is actually far more practical than doing the old bar club scene.
Lastly, online dating is ideal for anyone who tends to be picky about their potential mate. If you have a certain religion or lifestyle viewpoint then finding someone compatible in your own hometown can be difficult. Online dating sites can help you screen your long list of potential mates and bring you only the best “fish in the sea.”