Jump to content

Recommended Posts

It's no less desperate and sad, and arguably a little safer, than popping out on the pull. Moreover, it's no longer a geekish enclave of the friendless, but a mainstream phenomenon which has, more or less, lost what stigma it had.


There are two drawbacks to it. First, the algorithms are better, but still not omniscient, so there's always the chance of your details being suggested to your spouse, boss, aunt or uncle, which may lead to awkwardness. And it won't be long before face-recognition software becomes widespread enough to justify a certain nervousness, especially if, like everyone else, you've lied through your teeth about your height, weight, career and love of the Great Outdoors.


If you don't let those bother you, then there's very little not to get into, unless you're baffled by the concept of dating as such. You pick a few suggestions, exchange a few messages in an attempt to work out what's wrong with them and, if they seem moderately sane and aren't a relative, you meet them somewhere neutral (not a cinema - you need to be able to talk and, more importantly, watch their hands) to refine or amend your conclusions.


Admittedly, there's a wide range of different agendas out there, though. Some just want someone to talk at for a few hours a week, some are after a few minutes in a cheap hotel, some are after a long-term relationship (or, at least, long enough to snaffle a house and half an income), some just want the sort of confidence-boost that they're no longer getting at home and others are in the habit of dining out on forgotten wallets. But that is the same for any form of courtship.


It won't suit everyone, all the same. For some it will involve too much time, money and effort for the questionable benefit to be justifiable. Objectively, given cats are cheaper, more reasonable and much better company than most people, the only real reason we have to court anyone at all is that we're incapable of resisting the reptilian urges of our selfish genes, and this particular urge is only curtailed, rather than proscribed, by law. Happily, if you're able to resist, there's nothing to stop you investing in tweed and ignoring the whole dating thing altogether.

It's just another medium, no ?


Like anything in life; if you look hard enough you'll find it. It's just way easier on the internet.


Social networks or forums like this do get some people together, i've met a few on here and become friends


I know one couple who met via the EDF drinks night, who are now married with a baby boy & V happy indeed.



I imagine it's the same for dating or shagging.

My sister is in a long-term relationship with a man she met through Guardian Soulmates many moons ago.


I've used internet dating sites in the past. When I've been unattached, I hasten to add :)


I think you have to choose the site carefully - depending on what sort of person you are looking for, of course! I used Guardian Soulmates and Love and Friends, no idea if Love and Friends is still going. I also did actually meet some friends, through their forum, some of whom I'm still in touch with years later.


As Annette C says, it's just another way to meet people. I'd suggest you do meet up with them quickly though rather than having long email correspondences or whatever, as somebody who seems like your ideal person through their writing may not be at all when you meet them, and you might not be attracted to them in the flesh (hoho) at all.


Also you have to meet a hell of a lot of people before you find one where there's mutual attraction :)) , or at least that was my experience, so it depends whether you can be bothered :))


Also you usually know immediately you meet them whether you are interested or not, but in order to be polite you have to stay and talk to them for a reasonable amount of time .....


One thing that did piss me off was many people's obsession with age, which also led to many people lying about their age. I could sort of see why they did it, but it made me wonder what else they were lying about.


I met my current OH at a party in the end, quite unrelated to internet dating.

I know several couples (including 2 married couples) who met through internet dating, and why not? It's bloody hard to go out and meet people.


I remember a Swedish girl I used to know telling me a decade ago that it was how most people met back home, but in this country there seems to be some stigma about it.


If I found myself single again, I'd definitely give it a go.

holloway Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> i just can't get in to this, seems a bit

> desperate/sad. everyone seems to be doing it

> though. anyone had a go?



no, but go for it. the 'net is only the initial introduction innit, the rest is up to yerselves.

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Mick Mac Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > The Guaridan is the last place I'd look.

>

> XXXXXX

>

> I expect The Telegraph and The Mail have lots of

> lovely Thatcher like women for you, then :)


The Telegraph you end up with a Thatcher-like. The Gruin you'd probably end up with some Harriet Harman harridan.


I'd go for the Beano's dating service, based on that.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • These have reduced over the years, are "perfect" lives Round Robins being replaced by "perfect" lives Instagram posts where we see all year round how people portray their perfect lives ?    The point of this thread is that for the last few years, due to issues at the mail offices, we had delays to post over Christmas. Not really been flagged as an issue this year but I am still betting on the odd card, posted well before Christmas, arriving late January. 
    • Two subjects here.  Xmas cards,  We receive and send less of them.  One reason is that the cost of postage - although interestingly not as much as I thought say compared to 10 years ago (a little more than inflation).  Fun fact when inflation was double digits in the 70s cost of postage almost doubled in one year.  Postage is not a good indication of general inflation fluctuating a fair bit.  The huge rise in international postage that for a 20g Christmas card to Europe (no longer a 20g price, now have to do up to 100g), or a cheapskate 10g card to the 'States (again have to go up to the 100g price) , both around a quid in 2015, and now has more than doubled in real terms.  Cards exchanged with the US last year were arriving in the New Year.  Funnily enough they came much quicker this year.  So all my cards abroad were by email this year. The other reason we send less cards is that it was once a good opportunity to keep in touch with news.  I still personalise many cards with a news and for some a letter, and am a bit grumpy when I get a single line back,  Or worse a round robin about their perfect lives and families.  But most of us now communicate I expect primarily by WhatApp, email, FB etc.  No need for lightweight airmail envelope and paper in one.    The other subject is the mail as a whole. Privitisation appears to have done it no favours and the opening up of competition with restrictions on competing for parcel post with the new entrants.  Clearly unless you do special delivery there is a good chance that first class will not be delivered in a day as was expected in the past.   Should we have kept a public owned service subsidised by the tax payer?  You could also question how much lead on innovation was lost following the hiving off of the national telecommunications and mail network.
    • Why have I got a feeling there was also a connection with the beehive in Brixton on that road next to the gym
    • Ah, thanks,  it all comes flooding back. I've actually been to the Hastings shop, I'd forgotten all about it, along with her name! Didn't she (in between?)  take over what  was then The Magnolia, previously The Magdala, now The Lordship, with her then partner? Or is that some figment of my imagination?  In fact, didn't they transform it from The Magdala (much missed) to The Magnolia? With flowery wallpaper covering the front of the bar? Which reminds me of the pub's brief period after The Magnolia  as the ill-conceived and ill-fated The Patch.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...