About thirty years ago, human life began to change rapidly. And the reason for this was the Internet. It was the Internet that discovered completely new ways of communication and expanded them every year. Just think about it! 20-25 years ago, people exchanged emails. Today, in just one click we can chat via video on the other side of the Earth, sitting in the park!
Of course, this could not but affect dating methods. Before the era of the Internet, everyone met in person – on the street, in cafes, at parties. Yes, there was still classical correspondence, such as paper letters, but they rarely led to a real meeting. The Internet has become something completely new. Today, according to statistics, every fifth acquaintance begins on the web. And this is a completely natural phenomenon. Three reasons why online dating squeezed traditional dating out.
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
Reason 1 – Convenience
Chatting on the web is really more convenient. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about texting or video chatting. You can meet and communicate literally anywhere, anytime. You do not even need a computer – now there are a lot of dating applications. Choose your favorite one and enjoy using it.
In addition, for many, online communication is also much more comfortable. During a personal meeting, there is always a feeling of constraint and shyness. The Internet removes this “wall”, allows you to be more relaxed and open. And when it comes to meeting in person, you will already know a person well. Communication with him or her will go much better.
Reason 2 – Lack of time
The pace of life of a modern person is just crazy. A standard eight-hour workday can suck all your energy out. Some people still spend an hour or two only on the trip to and from work. Besides, you need to sleep, eat, do household chores, and much more.
Under such circumstances, it is more and more difficult to set aside at least a couple of hours a day to attend events, go to clubs, or take a regular walk around the city. The chances of meeting offline decrease every year.
It is much easier and more efficient to register on a website or in an application. Just fill out the form and start the search. Or wait until someone finds you. This does not take much time and in fact is more effective than trying to meet in real life.
Reason 3 – The Reluctance Of Many People To Meet Online
This applies primarily to girls. However, among guys there are many who do not appreciate personal meetings. Girls do not like to be hit on in the street, guys do not want to flirt like that realizing that they often look silly.
Years earlier, when the Internet wasn’t ubiquitous, there wasn’t much choice. Getting acquainted on the street was something quite commonplace. But now, such attempts are almost a sign of bad taste. Yes, and we shall be honest, not everyone knows how to start communication “right here, right now.”
We are not saying that in the modern world there are no people ready to get acquainted in real life. It’s just that their number is getting smaller every year. And we are unlikely to see the opposite trend.
Advantages Of Online Dating
This paragraph partially echoes the previous one. But there are several points that we want to draw your attention to.
Preliminary Acquaintance
Unlike a traditional live date on the Internet, you have the opportunity to get to know the person in advance. You can see the photos, study the questionnaire, understand whether it is worth starting a conversation. If there is something that does not suit you, you just close the form and go to the next profile. There are no uncomfortable explanations and awkward situations as in a personal meeting.
Moreover, the digital era has witnessed the rise of niche platforms like online dating websites for BBW or sites for pet lovers, apps for people sharing similar religious beliefs that cater specifically to individuals with different lifestyles, preferences, and interests.
By narrowing down the pool of potential matches to those who align with your specific passions and interests, these niche dating sites offer a higher likelihood of finding meaningful connections and long-lasting relationships. With a simple click, you can explore a plethora of profiles that resonate with your lifestyle, saving both time and energy that would otherwise be spent in traditional dating scenarios.
Preliminary Communication
Before a real date takes place, disconnecting is much easier. There is no need to explain what exactly is wrong. After all, sometimes it happens that a person seems to be good, but the soul does not feel anything peculiar. Disappearing after a real meeting is not always a good idea. It’s at least rude.
In addition, preliminary communication allows you to better get to know the person, find common topics for conversation and common ground. Thus, during a personal meeting, you simply continue your conversation and do not need to break the ice and start the conversation on the spot.
Polygamous Communication
Nobody limits you in the number of people whom you can communicate to simultaneously. Of course, there is a matter of morality. But let’s be honest, such an “online polygamy” gives a much greater chance of finding the right person for friendship or a serious relationship.
Raising Self-Esteem
Due to their own insecurity, millions of people in the world are alone. Everything is easier on the Internet. And interest in your profile only increases self-esteem, which in turn is very motivating. Therefore, if you are not confident, welcome to online dating services.
Places You Can Meet Online
Luckily, the options are numerous in different categories.
1. Dating Websites
- Match.com
- eHarmony
- Tinder
- OkCupid
- Badoo
2. Dating Applications
- Tinder
- Badoo
- Pure
- Happn
- Newpl
- Hinge
3. Online Video Chats
- CooMeet
- Omegle
- Chatroulette
- Chatspin
- Shagle
This is only a small number of options available. There are actually hundreds of them. It is up to you what to choose. We recommend that you do not limit yourself to one resource, but use at least 2 or 3 of them. The audience is different and their goals, too. If one website or application is not suitable for you, try others. In most cases, the basic functionality is provided free of charge. So, you can experiment.
Tip: if you are experiencing difficulties and embarrassment during live communication, try texting first. It’s not necessary to immediately go online to video chat. This is not for everyone. It requires experience, as well as good communication skills.
Romanticization As Another Reason For Online Dating
It is not accidental that we describe this feature in a separate paragraph. Not much is said about it, but in the meantime, it is becoming a very important one. Why is this happening, and what does it mean?
Each person has their own circle of friends. To go beyond it in real life is not so simple. Yes, this circle is gradually expanding, but this process is extremely slow and unstable. Over time, a person comes to realize that within this close circle it is difficult to find a soulmate. So, a person looks for ways to get out there. This is when online dating comes to the rescue.
Very often we see how girls consider guys/men from their circle unworthy. You probably could notice this at your university or work team. For the sake of truth, let’s say that it happens among men as well, even though, it happens less often.
And here comes a man on the Internet. He is absolutely different, not knowing any of your friends and acquaintances, interesting and unusual. This is romanticization. Even if in reality there is nothing unique about this person. But it is the thirst for something new that attracts millions of people to the Internet. This is more of a positive thing than a negative one. The main point is to approach this issue with wisdom and caution.
Lastly, you can think of online dating as you wish. But denying that it has become the starting point for millions of happy couples around the world is impossible. Give it a try! And perhaps, after a week on the Internet, you will meet a person with whom you will want to spend the entire life. We wish you success in your search and may you meet only interesting people.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
COMMENTS