The Internet dating quest continues. I am starting to realize that there is no “one best online dating site” to be found. Consequently you find yourself signing up at an Internet dating site and “working it” until you have exhausted all the acceptable possibilities (Yes, I am discovering exactly how shallow I really am) or hitting the brick wall (i.e. you must cough up some cash if you want to “communicate” at all). When activity (if any) subsides you are on your way to the next dating site like any itinerant farm worker would.

My latest “work site” is  Matchmaker.com. This dating site is one of those sub-sites of a larger brand. I have learned that many Internet dating sites sell would be matchmakers access to their “catalog” of dating profiles and (probably) their software which they allow their customer to “re-brand” with a new name. It looks like Matchmaker.com is an affiliate of Date.com. I haven’t signed up with the main dating site Date.com yet (though it is only a matter of time) but I am interested in seeing if I am presented with the same line-up of perfect matches when I do.

I’ll keep you posted.
jd

Technorati Tags: online dating, online dating sites, dating sites, Internet dating

The following is the first appraisal piece (on me) from perfectmatch.com. Their approach is a bit different than the other matchmaking online dating sites in that they focus on you. I am not exactly sure why this section is called the “Similarity Test”. I am pretty sure that I am similar to myself. But they got pretty darn close to pegging me (in fact, they make me seem pretty gosh darn boring) except that I don’t see myself as being totally risk adverse. Anyone who watched me buy 500 shares of GE for $20 a share a month ago could see that. Hmm, maybe I should try to be more similar to myself and be more risk adverse!

Your Similarity Test Results - XBOP 

Risk Averse, Relaxed, Optimistic, Seeks Predictability

You don’t like the idea of a quick romantic connection and tend to be more cautious than not developing a relationship. That doesn’t mean you aren’t romantic. In fact, you are more than less likely to put a relationship at the center of your life. Even though you are an optimistic person, and generally expect life to go well, you think love needs time-and more than your instincts-for you to trust it to last. You are looking for a serious, monogamous relationship and you tend to invest deeply in both people and places.

I can’t really remember the questions that were asked (I always get so wrapped up in the interview that I forget to take notes) but that last sentence is dead-on. How did they figure out about the places?
jd

Technorati Tags: online dating sites, online dating profile, relationships

I have realized that I really have been sticking with the mainstream Internet Dating sites - probably because they are familiar (via TV) and not as scary. But the results have been less than stellar. I’ve actually gotten only one lady (from a FREE online dating site) to email me on a more-or-less regular basis but she lives like 1400 miles away. I guess she figured I was a pretty safe bet (too bad she doesn’t know how desperate I am!). Anyway, I decided to get serious on Google and look for another, less known dating venue. One of the first sites I came across was a directory of online dating sites and I have to admit that I found the categories listed there a little strange. It will probably take me two or more posts to cover this but I have created a table of the categories (and this is all of them) with a quick comment on each. The weird part is that these dating categories at first seem far reaching but on analysis really fall short.  Here they are:

Technorati Tags: internet dating sites, online dating sites, dating site categories, interneet dating, internet dating sites

I’ve mentioned before that I can’t understand why people put themselves through the agony of the Internet Dating experience. I’m not sure why I asked such a general question - what I really can’t figure out is why I put myself through the agony of the Internet Dating experience. I mean my divorce was just finalized in July (’08) - what’s my hurry? I can come and go as I please. I eat what I want when I want it (I have discovered that Klondike Bars make a terrific breakfast). I really am not lacking in anyone to talk to since I recently found myself chatting up my sofa. If I want a little affection I just head out to the local diner (I’ve reached that age where all the waitresses call me “Honey”).

Rummaging through all these online dating sites ain’t cheap, either. Fifty bucks here, forty five bucks there, hell, I might as well be married to Match.com I give them so much money. Wish I could figure this one out.

jd

 Technorati Tags: internet dating, internet dating sites, online dating, online dating sites, relationships