The Busy Person's Guide to Dating

The rules of dating have changed over the years. Many people who are serious about finding the love of their life now use internet dating sites. The dating websites have really broadened the spectrum of what is available. There are sites that are geared toward the specific needs of the consumer. There are Christian Dating sites, Catholic Dating sites, sites for those in a hurry (Speed Dating), Pre-Dating Speed Dating, Eight Minute Speed Dating, etc... There are dating sites which specifically state that the men are successful and they are looking for pretty girls, and one which claims to match the lucky singles scientifically using their chemical make-up. Sounds a little far-fetched to me.

In a Hurry

The idea of getting things accomplished in a timely fashion appeals to almost everyone. It seems strange, though, that there would be a market for "Speed Dating." The idea is to encourage singles to expose themselves to many people in a short period of time. There is also the Eight Minute Speed Dating: eight dates for eight minutes each. The Pre-Dating Speed Dating puzzled me. They claim to prepare singles for the "Speed Dating" circuit. It goes to show the times are changing.

The ladies in my lineage would turn over in their graves upon hearing me tell them I went on eight dates for eight minutes each in one night. I suppose if one's biological clock is ticking it would be worth checking out.

Variations of Dating

There are more varieties of almost every product known to man and the internet dating sites are no different. There are dating sites specifically for speed, religion-specific, color specific and weight specific. There are sites for language barriers, sites where you can simply rent the woman, and sites that would be considered illegal ten years ago.

Cost of Dating

Most of today's dating websites will gladly allow you to sign up for a "Free Trial Offer" of their resources. You can view anyone on the site and "flirt" with him/her. A flirt is simply a canned comment that you can send to the person of your choice. The catch is that you are not able to send any personalized messages unless you are a paying member. That puts a damper on it. The sites are not cheap to use either. The average cost of the sites is about $45.00 for a six month subscription. There are options that can be added on to a membership that will cost extra, of course. The draw is that you are paying less to get to know the person than you would if you actually took them on a date. Good answer!

Advice for Dating

The Do's and Don'ts of dating are not that different from the common courtesies most individuals use on a daily basis. However, there are a few things every single person should know before venturing out with a member of the opposite sex. The most important thing to remember is to be confident in yourself. Confidence in yourself makes others feel confident. Confidence is a morale booster and makes for a better mood. The second tip for dating is to wear something comfortable. You may find yourself having the best time of your life,but when you get home, your feet have thirteen blisters and they are swollen. Chances are the memories created might not be the best when you suffer. Another point to remember is to make sure the things you say are things you will not regret later. Do not reveal secret things about yourself, you may find your story on the internet and feel destined for doom. Be aware of your body language: folded arms across your chest say, "I am not open to your communication." Make sure you establish eye contact early on and remember that look. The first meeting is generally pretty genuine so this is a great judge of later looks. Do not talk about failed relationships; do not talk about family drama. These subjects are taboo: no one wants to spend an evening with someone who is complaining about their failures or their psychotic family. Do talk about yourself. Tell them your passions, your interests. Show them what a wonderful human being you are. Tell them what a wonderful time you had last summer. Lastly, be yourself. Laugh. Smile. Live your life to the fullest.

Does It Work?

Statistics show that a high percentage of members find someone to spend time with. Unfortunately, few actually spend their lives with that person. The odds of a lasting relationship resulting from internet dating are low. If you are looking for a good time, internet dating is probably for you. If you are looking for a lasting time, stick to the produce aisle of the grocery store. Either way, smile and have a great time. Life is too short to be unhappy.

Live today as if it was your last!