The Huge Advantages of Online Dating

Imagine the joy of finding the love of your life, an exciting romantic liaison or a rewarding friendship when you are looking and feeling your worst. You had a hellish time at work the previous day, you feel as though you haven't slept a wink, your skin would be a voyage of exploration for a dermatologist and a crow would be more than happy nesting in your hair. You feel tired and fed up and your self-esteem is at an all time low. You long for someone special with whom to share your life, but right now you feel that even Quasimodo wouldn't consider you as a romantic option. In this moment of self-deprecation, how is meeting Mr or Mrs Right possible? By taking advantage of online dating, of course.

Helen is 38 and works for a prestigious law firm. Her dating track record since the tragic and premature death of her husband five years ago has been poor. Although the majority of Helen's work colleagues are male, she says, "The majority of them are married and even if they were available, I would not be interested. I also don't think I could cope with having a relationship with someone involved in the legal sector. I imagine that we would find it very hard to leave our work behind. Socially, where does one go to meet likeminded men who are genuinely interested in a relationship as opposed to a one-night stand?"

Helen went onto explain that she met her late husband whilst at university and, during the many contented years of her marriage, she had a fairly blinkered view of dating agencies. "I viewed them with suspicion, assuming that they were frequented by people who either had major personality flaws, or else had some ulterior seedy motive. I never once stopped to think about how difficult it is in this day and age to meet suitable companions in mainstream environments. Of course, about two years after Harry's death when I began thinking that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone, I realised that meeting other people was not that easy. Clubs and pubs really didn't appeal to me. I tried going with friends to wine bars, but found that I was largely on the receiving end of unwanted attention from men in whom I had no interest. It was also obvious that the majority of them were just after a quick thrill.

Helen quickly began to view dating agencies as an attractive option, but didn't really like the idea of being computer-matched with someone. After all, that removed personal choice and she made it clear that she was not the sort of person who liked having choices made for her! Her decision to try online dating as an alternative was made whilst awaiting a dental appointment.

"In the waiting room, I came across an article on online dating as I was idly perusing the obligatory stack of well-thumbed women's magazines. The article must have been particularly well written, because I was instantly sold on the idea. The concept of being able to peruse a database of potential suitors whilst still in my dressing gown was extremely appealing. At least I knew that when I did dress up, it would be because I actually had a date, rather than putting a huge effort into preparing for a night cruising around social clubs, with no guarantee that I was going to meet someone. After my appointment, I couldn't wait to get home and begin checking out some of the sites that were recommended.

Helen spent a long time researching the plethora of online dating sites before she found one that she felt catered for her needs, which of course included a level of security.

"I wasn't particularly drawn to totally free sites, because I felt that they were more likely to attract members who weren't particularly serious about the process, or whose intentions weren't entirely honourable. I was more interested in sites that allowed you to peruse profiles, but which required you to pay for full membership before allowing you to contact other members. That way, I knew that those I contacted were probably more serious about meeting someone special and not just after a quick fling. I wanted to sign up with a site where I felt totally in control and also secure in the knowledge that none of my personal contact details would be divulged to anyone unless I specifically chose to give out this information. I was also more impressed by sites that offered a range of relationship advice and articles."

Helen eventually signed up with www.DatingHappy.com and says that it was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

"At first I felt rather embarrassed admitting to even my closest friends that I had chosen this route, but when I did, I was amazed at how many of them had also considered doing the same thing. One of my friends, whom I assumed had met her husband at the gym, admitted that she had actually met him via an online message forum. Although this wasn't the same as a dating agency, essentially it was no different. She had found someone with whom she shared common interests, but whom she had not previously met face-to-face and that is exactly how I began broadening my male social circle, except via a dedicated relationship facility.

Helen says that she found the search process "exhilarating".

"It was like being an invisible fly on the wall in a room full of interesting men from all walks of life with their personal profiles attached to them I could look, analyse and weigh up the options in a way that would be impossible if all those men were in one room. The best part was the convenience and the fact that it didn't matter one iota what I looked like or how I behaved!

"I also liked the idea of initially being able to build the foundations of a relationship on friendship and mutual interests, before actually meeting someone and being blinded by lust, which of course never lasts with the same intensity as at the beginning of a relationship!"

Has Helen met her match?

"Very possibly", she laughs. "I've had tremendous fun and I'd like to say that I believe I have found a relationship with future potential, but you'll just have to wait and see......!!"

About The Author

Jan Andersen is a British Freelance Writer and Copywriter specialising in articles and features on diverse lifestyle topics and social issues. She has also participated in many TV and radio programmes. Jan also owns and runs five websites; World Writer, Mothers Over 40, Child Suicide, SACS (Surviving After Child Suicide) and Jan Andersen Writing Services. Until recently, Jan had four children aged 20, 18, 16 and 4. Her eldest son, Kristian, tragically took his own life on 1 November 2002. Whilst campaigning for depression, suicide and drugs' awareness, Jan is writing a book on child suicide entitled, "Chasing Death".

http://www.janandersen.homestead.com

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:05:30 GMT Rice set for historic Libya visit - BBC News RTE.ie Rice set for historic Libya visit BBC News - 3 hours ago US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to begin a historic visit to Libya as part of a North African tour. She is expected to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as part of the trip, which will also include visits to Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Rice set to begin historic Libya visit AFP Rice set to make history in Libya The Associated Press Aljazeera.net - International Herald Tribune - WZTV - Bloomberg all 425 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:41:55 GMT Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible - Baltimore Sun Voice of America Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible Baltimore Sun - 41 minutes ago By Frank D. Roylance Researchers cataloging the genetic codes of deadly human brain and pancreatic cancers say they have found several dozen defective genes that appear to work in concert to set off the tumor growth that eventually kills their victims. In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, The Breakthrough Is the Problem Wall Street Journal What You Need to Know About Mapping the Cancer Genome U.S. News & World Report Reuters - The Associated Press - Bloomberg - Science Daily (press release) all 209 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:24:12 GMT Boeing Workers Are on the Brink - BusinessWeek Wall Street Journal Boeing Workers Are on the Brink BusinessWeek - 1 hour ago Despite being offered a relatively generous package by management, Boeing machinists are ready to go on strike. Here's why by Joseph Weber When a stunning 87% of Boeing machinists voted on Sept. Motown Blues for Boeing? Wall Street Journal Boeing, machinists union meet with mediator The Associated Press Seattle Times - Bloomberg - Reuters - Chicago Tribune all 1,406 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:54:59 GMT Wal-Mart acting on shifts in consumer spending - BusinessWeek Los Angeles Times Wal-Mart acting on shifts in consumer spending BusinessWeek - 3 hours ago By CHUCK BARTELS If the mood on Wall Street is grim, then consumers must be feeling even more bleak, right? Fuel prices remain high, inflation has hit food prices hard and consumer confidence is down. August another disappointing month for retailers Los Angeles Times Lower-cost stores gain from US shoppers' thriftiness Financial Times Forbes - The Associated Press - Wall Street Journal all 673 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:48:39 GMT Schwarzenegger: Palin delivered 'fantastic' speech - San Jose Mercury News KGET 17 Schwarzenegger: Palin delivered 'fantastic' speech San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago AP SACRAMENTO—Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday said Sarah Palin hit a home run with her acceptance speech for the Republican vice presidential nomination. Video: Governor To Californians: Bug Lawmakers About Budget kcratv California nears record in spending plan stalemate Sacramento Bee San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Los Angeles Times - New York Times - City Watch all 302 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:14:17 GMT '1967 lines not up for discussion' - Jerusalem Post Sydney Morning Herald '1967 lines not up for discussion' Jerusalem Post - 32 minutes ago By JPOST.COM STAFF The July 4, 1967 lines are not up for discussion and are the very foundations from which direct talks between Israel and Syria will start, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Friday. Video: Sarkozy in Syria : the press is divided france24english Syrian sets terms of role on peace Philadelphia Inquirer New York Times - Boston Globe - International Herald Tribune - Voice of America all 1,039 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:32:39 GMT McCain takes stage, turns down heat - Boston Globe The Gazette (Montreal) McCain takes stage, turns down heat Boston Globe - 1 hour ago By Joanna Weiss For a man at the top of a presidential ticket, John McCain had an unusual task last night: to remind the nation that he was the star of his own show. Palin Assails Critics and Electrifies Party New York Times GOP welcomes McCain with enthusiasm Milwaukee Journal Sentinel CBS News - Kansas City Star - ABC News - TIME all 1,387 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:20:31 GMT Clickbank Data Feeds Get Paid for Surveys

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Change Your Body Language to Be Relaxed When Approaching Somebody New

Get a Girl To Seduce You By Changing Your Body... Read More

The Dating Game

Why is it some people look at dating as a... Read More

Dating Advice for Those Just Getting Back on the Dating Wagon!

Dating is a daunting prospect, especially for those who've been... Read More

Dating On-line in Safety

Dating online can be great fun, stimulating and exciting. So... Read More

The Language and Meaning of Flowers

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing Thomas... Read More

The Right Dating Site For You

There are so many dating sites on the net these... Read More

Help! Im Single for the First Time in Years!

You're back on the dating scene. But you're worried as... Read More

Finding a Safe Dating Site

Seems like everywhere we surf on the Internet nowadays we... Read More

Still Single for the Holidays? Lucky You!

Oh, no! Christmas, Hanukah, and New Year's Eve are coming,... Read More

Web Cams: Windows on the World

The webcam has brought a truly amazing variety of experience... Read More

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places?

You've hung out in bars, you've answered the personals, you've... Read More

Four Dating Rules You Must Know To Transform Your Love Life

Dating is the first step to love. I am going... Read More

Ten Great Holiday Dates For Singles

Dating during the holiday season can be a special treat.... Read More

The Cyber Lothario

Are you writing to someone who is romancing you off... Read More

5 Signs Why He Wont Leave His Wife

LadiesYes, we all have a friend who is or has... Read More

Oops, I Did It Again

Oops! I did it again!So you are licking your wounds.... Read More

Dating Advice: Should You Play With Madness?

I have a friend with a big problem, a guy... Read More

Why Online Dating is So Tough For Men

Online dating has become increasingly popular over the past several... Read More

10 Important, Easy Dating Rules to Ensure Your Success

1) Leave the mobile phone off! Do not answer it... Read More

Dress for Dating Success: Clothes to Attract the Man of Your Dreams

In order to attract the man of your dreams, it... Read More

Things To Avoid At Your First Date

Finally, after a year of mending a broken heart, you... Read More

Six Things Every Christian Single Should Know Before Dating Online (Part One)

Years ago, online dating had a reputation that was less... Read More

Dating Tips: Work on The Similarities

What is it that makes you attracted to someone? The... Read More

A Dating Story From My Youth

One of my first "Big Dates" was a Cotillion dance... Read More

Am I Weird If I Date Online?

True story: A few years back I was working with... Read More