Casual Online Dating
Posted by AdultDating on September 24th, 2018
Introduction to online dating
Online Dating (also known as Internet dating) is a way for people to find and contact each other through the Internet to arrange a date, usually with the goal of developing a personal and romantic relationship. According to match.com, one of the largest online dating services, over 40 million people Americans use online dating, which is 40 percent of the single adult U.S. population. Some online dating services are free to use but most charge a service fee to access all the available services.
Online dating basics
To use online dating, a person creates a user account on an online dating site, then creates a profile with photos, descriptive information and match preferences. The online dating service uses software to provide the user with matches based on mathematical formulas (algorithms) which match one user with another based on their profile information, preferences, and interests.
While the matching features of online dating services present a user with potential dates, it's also possible for a user to search for potential dates based on location, age, religion and other profile information. Users can then make contact with a potential date using messaging or email services provided within the online dating service.
Online dating services
There are dozens of online dating services available. Each one has a slightly different marketing approach designed to appeal to various segments of the dating population. There are broad-based dating sites, the most popular of which is match.com, which called itself the “leading” online dating site and according to statisticbrain.com, Match has over 23 million members. eHarmony, another popular online dating site, has over 16 million members and markets itself as the “#1 trusted dating site for like-minded singles.”
Specialized dating sites exist that focus on bringing people together with specific interested and preferences. There are dating sites for specific age groups, religious backgrounds, hobbies, sports, and age ranges as well as adult dating sites. By using one of these specialized sites, it's easier for a person to find an ideal matched with others that share something in common.
Online dating services have followed people who use their smartphones with mobile apps, and almost every online dating service has an app for both Apple and Android smartphones. Some online dating services have been designed specifically to take advantage of features on smartphones and use the user's location and smartphone gestures. One of the most popular apps to use features on smartphones is Tinder, which was launched in 2012 and by 2014, had over one billion (yes that's right) “swipes” per day.
Tinder users see potential dates on their smartphone screen and then swipe one direction to choose someone they are interested in dating or swipe the other direction to skip the match and move on to the next match. The user can then contact the potential date using Tinder's messaging feature in the app. While Tinder gathered a reputation early on as “hook-up” app, it's swiping feature has made it popular and it's used by an estimated 50 million people every day and is available in over 30 languages. By the way, the company that owns match.com, IAC Interactive, owns a majority stake in Tinder.
Online dating safety
One of the biggest challenges with online dating (or online communications of any kind) is safety and security. The online dating services all monitor suspicious activity and will delete a user's account if it is compromised or if it is being used for fraud or harm, however, they can't catch everyone, and it's important to be safe when using online dating.
Some common advice across is given by all the online dating services concerning safety. These tips include:
- Don't use your real name in your profile
- Never send money or gifts
- Arrange any meeting in a public place
- Drive yourself to and from your first meeting
While safety and security are a concern, use the same common sense you'd use when you're dealing with people in any situation and don't let it get in the way of meeting people. Oh yes, it's also becoming more common for people to use online tools to check up on old relationships, so the online sites all have ways to block users similar to social media sites.
Does it work?
A lot of research has been done to see if online dating has been successful in getting people together in relationships. Most Americans know a couple who first met through an online dating site.
Opinions are changing concerning online dating as a potential way to meet people. The Pew Research Center surveyed Internet users in 2005 and 2013. In 2005, 44% said online dating was a good way to meet people, which increased to 59% in 2013. In 2005, 29% of the people surveyed said that people who use online dating are desperate, which dropped to only 21% in 2013.
One benefit of online dating is that it's possible to find more people that you might meet during your daily activity. The same Pew study found that 53% said that online dating allows people to find a better match for themselves because they can get to know a lot more people.
Online dating doesn't happen by itself either. It's best if you spend a little time day using whatever online dating site you choose (and I recommend trying a few since they all have a different appeal) to look at your matches and communicate with potential dates. It won't take more than an hour a day after you set up your account and profile. While this may seem like a lot of time, if you're serious about meeting someone look at it as an investment, not a chore.
To my way of thinking
While the vast majority of people in a marriage or long-term relationship still say they met their partner offline, rather than online, the proportion of Americans who are finding partners online is increasing and has doubled from 2005 to 2013 from 6% to 11%.
Online dating is one of many approaches to meeting people, but it's not the only one. If you're single and involved in social activities that give you the opportunity to meet people you're less likely to find a need for online dating to get a date, but online dating does expand the available options for you to be matched with a potential date so don't rule it out.
Chat-up lines
To get you on your way in online dating, here are our top chat-up and pick-up lines:
Pickup lines for the funny guy:
1. Kiss me if I’m wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?
2. You’re so pretty, I wouldn’t even need to use an Instagram filter if I took your photo.
3. Roses are red, bananas are yellow, want to go out with a nice little fellow?
4. Hey, you’re pretty and I’m cute. Together we’d be Pretty Cute.
5. Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile.
6. Want to come see my HARD DRIVE? I promise it isn’t 3.5 inches and it isn’t floppy.
7. If you were a tropical fruit, you’d be a fine-apple!
8. If I were a stop light, I’d turn red every time you passed by, just so I could stare at you a bit longer.
9. Screw the nice list, I’ve got you on my “nice and naughty list.”
10. Can I follow you home? Because my parents always told me to follow my dreams.
Pickup lines for the smooth guy:
1. I have had a really bad day and it always makes me feel better to see a pretty girl smile. So, would you smile for me?
2. Your smile lit up the room, so I had to come over.
3. I seem to have lost my phone number. Can I have yours?
4. Do you have a Band-Aid? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.
5. You must be a magician, because every time I look at you, everyone else disappears.
6. Do you know what my shirt is made of? Boyfriend material.
7. My buddies bet me that I wouldn’t be able to start a conversation with the most beautiful girl in the bar. Want to buy some drinks with their money?
8. Hey, I just realized this, but you look a lot like my next girlfriend.
9. Can I tie your shoes? I don’t want you falling for anyone else.
10. If kisses were snowflakes, I’d send you a blizzard.
Pickup lines for the nerdy guy:
1. Your chromosomes have combined beautifully.
2. If you were C6, and I were H12, all we would need is the air we breathe to be sweeter than sugar.
3. Are you made of Copper and Tellurium? Because you are Cu-Te.
4. Mario is Red. Sonic is blue. Press start to join, and be my player 2.
5. Is your name Google? Because you have everything I’ve been searching for.
6. Do you like Science? Because I’ve got my ion you!
7. Where’s the ‘like’ button for that smile?
8. You have nicer legs than an isosceles right triangle.
9. You must’ve been made by Intel to be that hot!
10. Are you a video game? Because I think you’re my Destiny.
Pickup lines for the brave guy:
1. Baby, if you were words on a page, you’d be what they call FINE print.
2. My love for you is like diarrhea. I can’t hold it in.
3. So did it hurt when you fell from heaven?
4. Let’s play Titanic. When I say iceberg, you go down.
5. I have a snake and he wants to enter your garden.
6. You must be a broom, because you just swept me off my feet.
7. Hey, I lost my underwear, can I see yours?
8. My name is Peter Pan and I can take you to Never Never Land.
9. Are you a parking ticket? Because you’ve got FINE written all over you.
10. If I was a fly, I’d land on you first. Because you’re the shit.
6 online dating mistakes to avoid
1) Don't go crazy over photos
2) Don't get carried away ith too much detail
3) Understand the tone of the profile
4) Ignore claims about 'personality'
5) Don't get attached based on an online profile
6) Don't build up a fantasy in your head
