Online Dating for Singles

Hoot Gives Suggestions to New Online Daters

(Online Dating for Singles) The Brandeis Hoot Newspaper, for Brandeis University students, has published a humorous article that provides "guidance" for people wanting to get into online dating. The article, titled "Choose Your Own Online Dating Adventure," walks the reader through the questions online dating services may ask. Written by Leah Berkenwald, here's an excerpt:

"8. You are using an online dating service because you:

Are sick of the bar scene. Are sick of the club scene. Are sick of the strip joint scene. Are ugly. Are weird. Are under house arrest. Are cheating on your significant other. Are bored. Can’t get no love..."

To read the whole article, click here.

Detroit's Free Press Online Dating Experiment

(Online Dating for Singles) The Detroit Free Press has been conducting an experiment titled "Single No More" that is attempting to match four people up with dating success. The process has been going on for several months, with the four participants (chosen from a contest) receiving dating advice from a relationship coach and being turned loose in singles events and with online dating services to find their perfect match. Here are links to two of the most recent update articles. You'll want to read them quick, because the Detroit Free Press unfortunately expires and archives the articles, forcing you to then pay to read the articles. So much for the "Free" part in their name!

No Luck, But They Have Pluck

Online Dating Results Mixed

Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Against Don't Date Him Girl

(Online Dating for Singles) A judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought against the Website Don't Date Him Girl, alleging defamation of character. You can read about the lawsuit at the Online Dating Industry blog. The dismissal came on a technicality - that the lawsuit was filed in the wrong state. As a result, it may be re-filed.

Here are a couple of good articles on Don't Date Him Girl:

Unethical Website of the Month - Don't Date Him Girl

Don't Date Him Girl Flaws

Long Distance Relationships

(Online Dating for Singles) Online Dating Magazine has three good articles for people who are in long distance relationships and want to make it work.

The first is a column by Kim Lance:
Stay Connect in Your Long Distance Relationship

The second is a column by Dr. James Houran:
Long Distance Relationships

The third is a feature article:
Making Long Distance Relationships Work

The simple fact is that long distance relationships are hard - very hard. It takes a lot of commitment to be in a relationship with someone you can't see or touch on a daily basis. A long distance relationship can work and really strengthen the connection if done right.

What are some of your long distance relationship tips? Post them in the Comments.

Online Dating Dos and Don'ts

For those of you on the fence about or new to the online dating scene, the Contra Costa Times has published a great introductory article about online dating.  It breaks down some of the more well known services and gives you a useful list of dos and don'ts during your venture into online dating. One of the biggest "don'ts" is to never lie, which is good advice because if you do decide to meet, your lies will evenutally be revealed and trust issues can arise.

For the full article, click here.

Unconventional Approach to Dating - Pretend Girlfriend

One San Diego man, fed up with not being able to find the next love of his life, has taken an unconventional approach to dating.  Instead of setting up a profile online looking for a woman to fall in love with him, he has posted a personals ad on Craigslist indicating that he wants a "pretend girlfriend" to travel with.  From an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"He was looking for a “pretend girlfriend,” his ad announced, someone to travel with him to exotic locales like the Caribbean or Central America. He made one thing perfectly clear: “I'm NOT looking for sex of any kind.” The job description, however, did include holding hands on the beach and sharing an occasional kiss in “romantic spots around the world.” In exchange for such companionship, the ad said, he was willing to pay all travel expenses – plus an unspecified fee."

I am not quite sure how to feel about this strategy.  On the one hand, I can sympathize with someone who feels they have tried everything and still can't find a partner, but, on the other hand, he may be setting himself up for disappointment.  The man claims he has come to terms with the fact that he will probably never fall in love again, but, I can't help but think that deep down he may be hoping that the women he chooses to travel with will fall in love with him during their trip. 

Regardless of his motives, this is definitely a unique way to meet women and, hopefully, both parties end up having a fun, memorable time traveling together. 

Unique and Creative Date Ideas

Online Dating Magazine has published an article listing some creative date ideas and unique dating concepts.  The dating idea titles include: Drive in Movie with a Twist, Picture Perfect, New Beetle Bugavan, Glow Sticks at the Beach, and These are a Few of My Favorite Things.  From the article:

"The key to putting together a unique date is the thought and planning you put into pulling it off. The woman (or man) will quickly recognize the extra effort you put into creating the experience and that will raise his/her opinion of the relationship. Take some time to put serious creative thought into what your next date will be. Creative and unique dates are likely to always stick out in your partner's mind forever, even if you eventually part ways. It shows you as a fun, creative, and thoughtful person and soon you may find your partner inviting you on a creative date!"

Visit this article on Online Dating Magazine to read full detail on each of these unique dating concepts. 

Toothing for Singles

An article in Wired Magazine details what may be the next advancement in meeting people.  The new trend is called "Toothing" and uses Bluetooth technology to send messages to those in social situations, with hopes of meeting each other.  From the article:

"To play, you need you need to activate the Bluetooth facility available on your mobile phone, which will then show a list of people within a few yards who are also active. Then write a message and press send."

This seems very interesting and it could be kind of fun.  As long as people use common sense, it really is not that different than approaching an attractive person in a crowded bar.  Click here to read the full article. 

Biological Factors in Relationships

Ever wonder why your long term relationship sometimes loses its spark?  Or why most couples divorce after year 4 of marriage?  According to the latest "Dating From The Inside Out" column on Online Dating Magazine, it could be biological.  From the article:

"Biology, working against us, continues to persuade us to ruin perfectly good relationships in pursuit of its procreation goals. The basic neurochemical reward for engaging in passionate sex is a blast of dopamine to the “pleasure/reward” center of the “primitive brain.” In rat studies, the mechanism has been known to work so well that it’s been found that allowing a rat to stimulate the “pleasure/reward” part of its brain without constraint, it can “delight” itself to death without even stopping to eat.

"Based on the above, can we then surmise that biology really serves our best survival interests when it encourages that sort of chemically addictive scenario? It has now been argued that this compelling, chemical reward mechanism that worked well for distant forbearers in relation to the scarcity of food and sex, now actually creates havoc in the modern world. It may be precisely what is behind other social addictions such as gambling, food, alcohol and drug excesses, obesity, and the like."

This may seem as if all relationships are ruled by our instincts, but author explains that "harmonious relationships offer far greater rewards than biology’s mere empty disadvantages" and that we have the power to pick between remaining loyal and thrills of intimate union.  In any case, the most important thing is to find balance and understand what makes you feel most comfortable. 

Who Picks Up The Check?

An article in CBS News examined the ever-present concern about who should pick up the check on a date.  It turns out that determining how the bill should be paid may be "less about independence and more about instinct."  From the article:

Anthropologist Helen Fisher says it's natural for a man to want to pay the check and that something comparable happens all the time in the animal world.

"Chimpanzees will catch a little rabbit or hand over sugar cane. The bird catches a fish and hands it to the female," Fisher says. "The exchange of food for sex. It's called courtship feeding. You see it in insects. In fact, it's so common in insects that they call it the nuptial gift."

Online dating service Match.com also did a survey on the same subject and found that 71 percent of men think they should pick up the tab on a date and 58 percent of women agree. The article indicates that, although nowadays it is perfectly acceptable for the woman to pick up the check, the basic rules haven't changed much.  Men still tend to have that instinct to pay as a symbol that they are looking for more than just friendship.