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Back in the day, online dating was seen as something that
only the socially inept engaged in. It was a last resort
measure, a desperate move. No normal person would agree to
date someone they had never met in person. That proscription
has, for the most part though, been abandoned. Hundreds of
thousands of people are taking to the interwebs to find
romance. True love on the net has become fashionable, so
much so, that more people now than ever before are
connecting online. The internet is a top destination for
romance. Even the older generation is getting in on the
game. The online dating industry is booming. Scan the net and you'll find sites like OkCupid, Yahoo Personals, and Date.com are making a killing online as more and more people are looking to the web to find their one and only. Finding romance on the web is becoming so fashionable that a whole bevy of matchmaking sites are cropping up by the hour; and these sites are specializing, gearing themselves to more discerning consumers. The niche dating site is more refined than your regular dating site. Niches target a small audience. They are geared for a select demographic. For instance, you can find niche dating sites catering to raw food enthusiasts or vegans. There are sites where members can only join if they enjoy adventure sports or rock music. If you're into wine, there's a niche site for that. If you like traveling the world, there's a niche there too. There's a site out there for everyone. Many people, those who have never participated in online dating, are quick to question why. What's the point, they wonder. Why would you want to date someone who you've never met in person, never seen in the flesh? It's a legitimate question, the internet after all, isn't known for being the safest, most reputable place to find a date. And a lot of people prefer to know what their potential partner actually looks like, off screen. Fans of online dating like the fact that they don't have to put themselves out on the traditional dating circuit. They don't have to limit themselves to the people they find at the local watering hole or club. Who hasn't been stuck in a conversation with some bore who thinks they are God's greatest gift to mankind? There's also the fact that the internet is global. Online daters can be much more selective than their offline counterparts. It's easier to engage in conversation online, especially when you already know about a person from reading their profile. It's more casual, less daunting. The fear of rejection you get in a live scenario isn't there. Having someone to talk to, especially in rough times can be very helpful. Online dating is great just for finding people to share your stories with. A lot of people make lifelong friends through online dating. Of course there are a fair share of naysayers who bring up the cases that end in tragedy; or to a lesser degree, those cases where people are lied to, or mislead. However, these circumstances aren't limited to online dating. They actually occur as frequently offline as they do online. With online personals on the rise, it pays for people to familiarise themselves with the industry before jumping in. Jayde Johanssen provides free online dating advice to help people on their way. |