My co-worker and I like to talk about my online dating experiences. I think that I’ve become a professional online dater. Unfortunately, the whole concept is somewhat weird to most people. Most of my friends consider me to be practical and rational, but when they find out that I am a frequent online dater, they question my credibility.

Personally, looking at online dating profiles has nothing to do with the rest of my life, but people tend to label me as one of “those” guys. You know the ones they are talking about. I am viewed as an internet guy. I’ve tried to stop online dating. Many times, I wonder why I’m still looking at online dating profiles. But I continue to do it because I still feel like I haven’t found the perfect date, and I know that I am not the only online dater that feels the same way.

For numerous years, I’ve tried online dating off and on. I have friends that have found successful dates, but people still think that online dating is a bad thing. They may be right because online sites have many weirdo members lurking around.

Thus, I recommend that if you try online dating, be very cautious about it. All online daters have had at least one bad dating experience. I’ve had about three of them, but this is no different from going on a bad blind date that is offline.

As a matter of fact, I think online dates are better than blind dates. At least you can talk to a prospective online date numerous times before actually meeting them in person. When it comes to blind dates, you’re walking into a totally blind situation.

Honestly, dating is very terrifying. It doesn’t matter if it is an online or offline date. I have gone on just about every type of date imaginable, but I keep going back to online dating. So far, it’s the best way for me to meet new people.

My longest relationship started on an online website. I lost contact with an old friend, but I found him on an online dating site. I reached out to him, and we went on a date that weekend. We continued the relationship for a couple of weeks. Since I already knew a lot about him, the dating process wasn’t so weird for me. I knew that there weren’t any hidden surprises. The bottom line is that I learned about his single status because of an online dating website.

I believe it’s easier to meet and get to know people online. Obviously, there must be an attraction in order for a relationship to begin. Don’t chat online for months on end. You risk the chance of finally meeting the person and not liking them.

Instead, talk to your prospective online date and meet them within a reasonable amount of time. This is a good option for shy people. You’ve already contacted this person online, which means that you shouldn’t feel as awkward. If there is a spark, continue the relationship. If not, move on.

I also believe in online dating for another reason. These sites expose you to people in your local area that you might not have run into otherwise. Your paths might not have ever crossed.

For example, I met this man on an online website, and we have been dating for a couple of weeks. He’s much older than I am, but we went to the same high school. Thus, we know some of the same people. He lives just five minutes from me. Why haven’t I run into him before? We live so close to one another. However, if it wasn’t for online dating, we would have never reconnected. Since we have a somewhat shared history, I feel comfortable dating him.

I’ve had plenty of online dates, but I couldn’t say that they were dangerous or scary. Sure, I’ve had plenty of disastrous dates, but the same thing applies to many of my offline dates. Basically, if you want to start dating online, learn to do it wisely and cautiously.

Take the same precautions for online dating that you would for offline blind dating. Meet in a public place and resist the temptation to share your personal information too soon. If it’ll make you feel better, perform Google searches on all perspective online dates.

Also, keep an open mind when it comes to online dating. It is not a sign of desperation, and it doesn’t mean that you’re unlucky in love. A lot of people meet online and get married. You might have the same success someday.