Smooth_Groover

Hi Everyone, There are many dating sites out there such as www.singles121.com and Dating Direct. Do you think its sad to use these sort of sites or is it a result of current work ethics - working longer, harder hours?

I'd be interested to know your opinions as I am doing research into this at University.

Brendan Hughes

Or is it just that the majority of people using the internet are bored spotty IT geeks with no social skills who haven't a chance anyway?

(Hides in nuclear bunker....)

Jerome

As a muppet I would have to say yes, it is sad.

As a normal person, I would have to say, yes it is sad.

However, I'm sitting here with flame suit firmly on for loads of people to explain why they used online dating (to get catalogue bride from the Far East)

BobaFett

very sad.

Smooth_Groover

mmmm interesting view - heard that before - feel it might come up a few times

camk

I think its likely that lots of people use them but don't talk too much about it. The current work ethic change of increased hours(despite legislation to the opposite) and the fact that more women work and pursue careers(financially independent so less likely to need a man to support than v's 1960s') is the largest factor in this growth industry. I've never personally tried it but wouldn't put a single mate off using them either online of offline. On relection its crazy not to consider it, its like Kays Catalogue shopping for a night out and maybe something would come from it, certainly no less likely to succeed than meeting somebody down the pub.

Cheers
Cammy

BTW most of the guys who said it was sad are already regulars

[Edited by camk - 12/19/2001 11:06:54 AM]

Damaja

Dunno the phrase Sad is really appropriate. You have to think about the type of people who may be using these sites. Some of them may have gone through awkward relationships, many of them divorced or have been treated badly. I mean where does a person of 30,40,50 go to meet to new people? They need loving just as much as anyone else. Many of them work hard and long hours, have kids and don't have time to socialise. So where do they go? Well if like minded people are using these sites as points for contact then fair enough, good luck to them. I think it is a lot less sad for them to be doing this than staggering up to a girl after 10 pints and a kebab and slurring crap at them. I mean do you really care if people are using these sites, I think it is sad that you do! (not smooth the other peeps)

[Edited by Damaja - 12/19/2001 11:10:04 AM]

[Edited by Damaja - 12/19/2001 11:11:25 AM]

DavidBrown

Erm, well.. it depends.. it's a lot more sincere that oggling the "talent" down the local nightclub (when all the women want is to dance and not be hassled by knobbers)

I met my current g/f on a dating site, and she's an absolute stunner and has the brain the size of a planet. (No, I didn't have to pay for her).. she probably wouldn't have given me a second look in a nightclub.

Anywho, I thought the idea was so good I bought the company.. well.. created the company. I launched a dating site about 3 weeks ago, and it already has almost 2000 members. (And it's free for the first 5000 members)

http://www.planetpersonals.com

(Sorry for the plug, but it's on topic)

Smooth_Groover

Thats interesting Dave - So who are your competitors in the market then?

I must say I share many of your opinions also.

simon_prickett

I met an American girl through chatting on AOL, we got on really well, I went over to visit a lot, she came to live with me, we got married a year or so later. We just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, and will have our first child in March.

I'm not sad, I'm very happy thank you I also found my dog and Scooby on the internet, amazing what you can find if you look in the right places

Simon.

boxst

Hello

I don't think it's sad.

A few people that I know have met there current girlfriend/boyfriend (or even husband/wife) via online dating and chatrooms.

The internet in general is now used by more "normal" people than the stereotypical geek from a few years ago.

People work long hours, tend to socialise in fixed groups, and it's generally hard to meet people. And pulling someone on Saturday night in a club is not all it's cracked up to be.

Any method that facilitates the bringing together of people has to
be a good thing. And I would class internet dating (chatting) in the same league as classifieds and regular dating agencies: Not suitable for everybody, but it has it's place for some people.

Steve.

DavidBrown

->> "Thats interesting Dave - So who are your competitors in the market then? "

Well, so I don't appear as a complete plug for my own site, the competition includes:

www.personals365.co.uk
www.lovepepper.co.uk
www.udate.com
www.datemate.co.uk

I think the saddos are the ones that try pulling down the clubs.

davyboy

I agree with above is it really any sadder than going down your local cattle market and oggling the dodgy girls who come in.

Would be interesting to see how some of you who said it was sad met there partners, more than likely will be from work I guess.

Smooth_Groover

Thats interesting - So neither of the top two that I mentioned? I was under impression from my research that those two plus Udate were the main sites?

BobaFett

Well clearly some people have had success through online dating, so i would just like to say that i never meant to offend anyone by implying it is sad, never thought of it as a viable way of meating someone though.

Smooth_Groover

I like the way you spelt 'meeting' boba! Freudian Slip?

Norman D. Landing

David, "She has a brain the size of a planet", damn her head must be huge, that why she joined the dating service then ?

Only joking mate, good luck to anyone who finds happiness however they find it.

p.s Anybody see the programme last night (back to the floor I think it was called) about a chief executive who went to be a sales person for her company (Sirrus or Cirius or something), a supposedly high class dating agency, was quite funny, (at the risk of her being the other half of somebody on here) she was a hag !

They charged £695 to join

They charged £70 to attend their Xmas party (to introduce people to each other) and the punters then found that they shared the function room with an MFI xmas party of 200 people , wouldn't be happy to say the least [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

dsmith

You see David has done his site as links and the competitiors not. Cunning chap obviously

I dont really have a problem where people find new people to talk to. I dont think "dating" is that different from those of us who have made other friends on the Internet (Except maybe we're not trying to **** our friends )

I met my wife at work. So long as people meet and find someone they're happy with they should go for it. I think the Internet has added complications in establishing trust as the face-to-face contact is obviously not there to begin with. People should take care but enjoy themselves.

The image of the internet being just for Geeks is I think, going - to be replaced by an image of well adjusted individuals playing Counter-Strike over the Internet

Deano

Jerome

As with BobaFett, I hope I didn't offend anyone. Who cares whether or not it is sad, if it works do it. Going by my track record, the "conventional" methods aren't all they're cracked up to be!

BobaFett

whoops - meeting was indeed a Freudian slip, quite amusing when you read it back though! well spotted!

Yeah my conventional methods (makes it sound like some military campaign) have never resulted in a major success either!

I agree pubs and clubs are probably not the best place to meet someone on any account.

DavidBrown

-->> "You see David has done his site as links and the competitiors not. Cunning chap obviously "

Well if you can't copy + paste you're in serious need of help !

chuckster

I've made alot of friends (and met DavidBrown ) through this site, and think matchmaking sounds pretty viable too, not 'sad' at all, just efficient. Met my woman the old fashioned way though, saw her in a clearing, clubbed her over the head and dragged her back to my cave.
Regards,
Dilbert errmm Chuck

fast bloke

Me and 'Chelle met here and we are getting married in February Ask anyone in the muppet forum

Ian Cook

I have met several friends on the internet, and through the car. I dont see what the problem is to be honest, as long as you are careful and dont later find u have been chatting up someone of the same sex cos you cant always see them online

Im quite happy at the moment

Trout...

Try www.adultfriendfinder.com for sincerity!

Not that I would ever go there of course!

Trout