We all want a wonderful partner but we are also afraid we won’t be pretty enough or interesting enough to the other person. Or we feel out of luck when it comes to finding our perfect match. Online dating has been present almost since people starting using the Internet. It was and still is a great way to meet people but it comes with certain drawbacks. To make the best out of it, let’s see the pros and cons of online dating.
Pros of online dating
Anxiety-free environment
Meeting people in person can be stressful for many of us. Awkward silences are a common thing when we meet somebody for the first time.
With online dating, you can be relaxed at your home while chatting to a stranger. You can also get the chance to talk to somebody you know but you never dared to speak in person. You are safe and confident behind your laptop.
Easy communication
Online dating gives you tons of ways to get to know a person before you agree to meet them in person. It’s safe and convenient, especially for people who are rarely at home, travelling for business. As much as communication is simplified and easier, you also don’t have to commit yourself more than you want and invest yourself too much.
Dating without guilt
Don’t think for a second that others on the site don’t spend time texting several people at the same time. This would look bad in real life but rules are different in the online dating world. You can communicate with multiple people that you find interesting and attractive and help yourself narrow down your choice. It’s also easier to stop communicating with somebody or even deleting them. No need to feel guilty about it because that’s the way it works.
Matching is easier
Many online dating sites provide some type of personality test to help you match with a compatible partner. That way, you get a filtered search among your potential dates and a higher chance of finding somebody you really get along with.
You can set up filters according to age or location, hobbies, or hair colour. These filters will help you find a perfect straight or gay match according to your preferences. This is something you can’t do in real life and it speeds things up.
Cons of online dating
Too much choice
Due to a great number of potential partners online, it can become overwhelming and difficult to make a final choice. You could find yourself endlessly browsing people on the site rather than actually finding a person who you can date in real life.
You may think that there is always somebody better out there but try to think of online dating as a way of finding somebody good but not perfect or your soulmate.
Catfishes
Some people may seem nice or funny online but they could show their real face when you meet them in person. They could be plain creepy or rude so it’s best to listen to your gut in these situations.
If you are meeting somebody you met online, make sure your friend or a family member knows where you are. Safety is extremely important here.
Harder evaluation
Communication online is never complete – there are certain pieces of information that you get only from a face-to-face conversation. Also, there are certain physical features or social cues that are attractive only when you talk to people in person (like touching your hand).
In other words, online dating can lack that emotional aspect and deny you some important information about a person.
Also, some people feel more comfortable talking online and could be very hard to get an actual date with. If you notice that the person you have been chatting for a while now is avoiding an actual date, it’s time for you to move on. You can’t have an online relationship without any real contact.
Bottom line
Online dating, like everything else, has its pros and cons and the more you are aware of all of them, the better you will use online dating sites to your advantage.
