OP, if you're meeting men in your day to day life that you'd like to date, go for it. Most people don't, which is why online dating is so useful in today's world.

The thing about online dating, as someone who used it very successfully, is that it is extremely efficient for weeding people out right off the bat (oh, you believe creationism should be taught in schools? next, please) but you have to move quickly to an in-person meet. By 2-5 messages in you should be getting together for coffee, and if that goes well you should set up your first proper date. If you're shrewd, specific about what you're looking for, not afraid to turn people down, and willing to get out there and meet these men in person, online dating can be not only fun but ultimately very rewarding!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

DS63 wrote:The thing is, on line dating does allow for misrepresentation. The thing to do it to put your best foot forward, but be honest. For example, I am not going to say I am athletic build; I will focus on my humor, etc. I would talk about what I am looking for...when I met my wife (on line), I was very upfront: I was looking for a spouse. Not everyone is honest. I have heard of guys saying they are looking for a LTR, thinking that is what women want to here. But, just go slow, and don't try to meet anyone within days of connecting on-line.

If profiles have a high potential for misrepresentation, wouldn't meeting sooner be better? There's more information available when face to face.

Because guys in bars and work never lie, do they ...

It's easier to tell someone is lying when you're having a real conversation with them.

Anonymous wrote:

DS63 wrote:The thing is, on line dating does allow for misrepresentation. The thing to do it to put your best foot forward, but be honest. For example, I am not going to say I am athletic build; I will focus on my humor, etc. I would talk about what I am looking for...when I met my wife (on line), I was very upfront: I was looking for a spouse. Not everyone is honest. I have heard of guys saying they are looking for a LTR, thinking that is what women want to here. But, just go slow, and don't try to meet anyone within days of connecting on-line.

If profiles have a high potential for misrepresentation, wouldn't meeting sooner be better? There's more information available when face to face.

Because guys in bars and work never lie, do they ...

If you meet men out and about, then go for it! I'm a single mom to two young kids and I work out of the home. Unless I'm meeting someone at work (which has never happened), then that guy would have to knock on my door late at night. Nearly every guy I've dated post-divorce, I met online. As a PP said, tons of jerks, several mis-representers (I won't say liars, but...) and even some dorky guys who were two-timers. Keep your guard up until you know some things about the guy, but online offers a lot of options. Plus, the majority of men online are at least looking to date. You never know what someone's intentions are just striking up a conversation in a bar. There is no magical way of telling who is honest and who is not...so just be mindful of that. I also agree to set up a first date quickly. I learned that one the hard way. Phone or email chemistry is not the same as carrying on a conversation IRL. There are men and women who are perfectly content to chat forever before meeting. I'd much rather figure out quickly if the guy is a potential for me and if not, let us both move on.

DS63 wrote:The thing is, on line dating does allow for misrepresentation. The thing to do it to put your best foot forward, but be honest. For example, I am not going to say I am athletic build; I will focus on my humor, etc. I would talk about what I am looking for...when I met my wife (on line), I was very upfront: I was looking for a spouse. Not everyone is honest. I have heard of guys saying they are looking for a LTR, thinking that is what women want to here. But, just go slow, and don't try to meet anyone within days of connecting on-line.

If profiles have a high potential for misrepresentation, wouldn't meeting sooner be better? There's more information available when face to face.

Anonymous wrote:id love a single mom for something casual

Yes, but what does "casual" mean to the average single guy? I want dating, but not hook ups.

The thing is, on line dating does allow for misrepresentation. The thing to do it to put your best foot forward, but be honest. For example, I am not going to say I am athletic build; I will focus on my humor, etc. I would talk about what I am looking for...when I met my wife (on line), I was very upfront: I was looking for a spouse. Not everyone is honest. I have heard of guys saying they are looking for a LTR, thinking that is what women want to here. But, just go slow, and don't try to meet anyone within days of connecting on-line.

id love a single mom for something casual

depends on who you are. i never meet people casually to date. find on-line much easier in that respect...

Anonymous wrote:Simple numbers game. What is your rate of seeing/meeting/talking with/determining you would be interested in dating a person for a given night out, vs. the number you could do that with via an online site/email/telephone?

Online is much more efficient as lets you spend a lot less time on the initial steps.

On the other hand, people will be able to lie about how they look much more easily online. Meeting someone IRL allows you to gauge the attraction more honestly.

Simple numbers game. What is your rate of seeing/meeting/talking with/determining you would be interested in dating a person for a given night out, vs. the number you could do that with via an online site/email/telephone?

Online is much more efficient as lets you spend a lot less time on the initial steps.

Try both. Why not?

Online allows you to be upfront about what you want (a committed relationship, or not) and you know that, ostensibly, the other person wants that too. Meeting people around was hard for me, because I first wanted to navigate the "are they already involved with someone? do they want a serious relationship?" stuff first.

I vote online. I enjoy being able to put things in words, and putting it all out there (such as stating that you have a child) before meeting someone. It weeds the ones that aren't for you, out. I met my guy online, as a single mother. Not going to lie, I met a lot of jerks before finding him. He is perfect, for us. Take things slow, don't rush it and have fun. I chose online because I don't do the bars and not social in large settings.

I'd like to get back into the dating market. Online dating seems so daunting. I've tried it in the past, but I've found it to be like a meat market or for those with reading comprehension issues. What are some of the benefits of meeting people online?

I don't have any problems striking up a conversation with someone when out and about or at a bar. There aren't a lot of men in the 40+ category in most bars. I get a little anxious about moving from a good conversation to offering my contact information. Do I just wait for someone to ask?

Suggestions? I'm a mid 30s female with a child, not looking for something super serious.