Online Dating Lifestyles and Statistics

Recentlyreleased studies surrounding the lifestyles, behaviors and trends of onlinedating activity among single men and women have revealed some interestinginsights into this modern matchmaking phenomenon. 

Accordingto the research group, IPSOS-Reid, 48% of respondents involved in a recentsurvey said they considered online dating as a more genuine and realisticmethod to meet their match as opposed to bar and night club hopping.   
 
InNorth America alone, back in 2004, more than 39 million single people werelogging onto online dating each and every month. As it stands today, in 2011,this figure is estimated to have more than doubled to 80 million active monthlyonline dating participants within the U.S. According to IPSOS-Reid, thesegroups of online daters are split up into various categories and are seekingcompanionship on different levels ranging from serious relationships, cyberfantasy, casual dating and marriage. 

Eightyears ago, in 2004, the same research company went on the record to predictonline dating patronage would double within 10 years, a prediction that hascertainly come to fruition. The integration of technologies and socialnetworking has also made a significant contribution to online dating, which hasshrugged off its social stigma as a result and is now the leading matchmakingplatform in the world, virtually replacing the traditional dating andmatchmaking agencies. 
 
Despitethe enormous growth in this sector, experts predict online dating to still bevery much in its infancy. By 2019, it's estimated that more than 50% of coupleswill be matched up via cyberspace. Whyis society so readily willing to publicly expose themselves to a world ofstrangers?

Personalizedweb pages, photo galleries and chat rooms together with secure messagingsystems offer a level of anonymity while still opening doors to an infiniteselection of romantic possibilities and at lightning speed, something thatout-dated personals and dating agencies cannot match - online dating has becomevery much a self-serve dating concept.  

Onlinedating delivers single people highly targeted dating options thus allowingmembers to narrow down their search criteria on so many levels - age, sex,race, religion, lifestyles etc. Sophisticated matchmaking algorithms minimizethe profile browsing options by delivering you suitable and potential datesbased on the user information submitted upon member registration.
Whilstthe majority of online daters are aged under 35 years of age, older age groupsare also on the rise in terms of participation which can be attributed tomature singles becoming increasingly savvy with today's technologies. 

Socialnetworking giant Facebook has also entered the fray. With many dating apps nowavailable for free download via Facebook, participants now have access to theestimated 250 million single people currently using Facebook...Thepossibilities are endless! 

Aboutthe Author: This is a Guest Post by Matt Fuller who provides reviews about dating sites in Australia  as well as online dating tips for single people.

Image Courtesy: Don Hankins, Flickr

Becoming A Better First Date

Image by flickr user kevindooley

In this age of sexual freedom it is not all that uncommon for the first date to lead to sex. That puts added pressure on you and your date. Both men and women, understandably, can have anxiety due to worries about how they perform or how their bodies look “all natural”. There seems to be one thing neither party ever considers when on a first date and that is leaving sex out of the first date equation. Even if by some chance that idea does cross your or their mind, acting upon it or even bringing it up would not only be presumptuous but awkward no matter how subtle one tries to be. I believe many people, men and women alike, would probably appreciate one night out with someone they could be romantically interested in without having all the extra baggage.

Becoming a good first date means learning to read the subtle clues that are being sent your way. The problem with this is many times men either misread or completely fail to see the clues being sent. Often flirtation is taken to mean that the woman is really trying to go there. And on the other hand, culture has taken a turn and no longer encourages women to use the art of how to be coquettish without seeming promiscuous. How many times have you had a night with a total dud but still somehow ended up in bed and woke up wondering why?

One thing that can seriously make you a hit on a first date is to go somewhere apart from your both of your normal haunts. This is to avoid running into anyone from either of your regular social groups. There is enough pressure placed on a date for either party to try and impress. Meeting friends could lead to some very uncomfortable feelings and inevitably your friends will make the entire night a joke. Not to mention you probably want to avoid the embarrassing stories that will ensue; when with friends you no longer have control of how your story is told.

Don’t make a big thing of it but decide early on how things will be paid for. Traditionally the man has always picked up the tab but in today’s society it is perfectly acceptable to split the bill, especially on firsties. Of course fellas, in many cases the best way to make the greatest first impression is to try and pick up the whole tab; the chivalry will be remembered.

Even if your first impression of your date isn’t so hot, avoid talking down to them or coming across the least bit deriding. Give them a chance because you never know and doing so will certainly make sure there is not a second date. One other thing to consider is that you probably travel in similar circles and you never know who they may share their experience with. This may seem obvious but making lascivious comments about the opposite sex or those around you will also make a bad impression on any date, first or otherwise. At the other end of the spectrum, if you are head over heels don’t let it show. For some this might be an “easier said than done” situation but remember being needy and controlling is a red flag on a first date.

Finally, being a good listener and conversationalist is very important. What’s that saying… practice makes prefect or something…all kidding aside, you can prepare for the date by rehearsing a few non-invasive open ended questions. Open ended questions are great because they, by design, get the other person to not only open up but to also feel special and at ease. Make the first date one of fun and levity. Going on a date that involves the two of you in action like mini-golfing or bowling is a good way to begin. It gives you ways to interact and fill silent moments but still allows for those “getting to know you” conversations.

Anout the Author: Rick Valence has a vast array of writing interests that include fiction, non-fiction and how-to guides. Rick works Monday through Friday as a digital camera repair specialist at C.R.I.S. Camera Services in Chandler, Arizona. He is also the webmaster of his company's camera repair blog.

How To Ensure Your Security When Dating Online

Spruce up your appearance and take your grooming very seriously! Although we live in a highly technological age, nothing has changed as far as basic human nature goes, and you will want to look your best for that big date.

Technology has provided a fantastic venue for finding the perfect partner. The big buzz centers around online dating for all those seeking to find the ideal mate. You can meet the love of your life while chatting about nothing in particular. Who knows?

The modern system of online dating allows people to share the innermost feelings of their hearts in a friendly, semi-anonymous environment. It is a boon for those who are shy or introverted and who have a bit of trouble opening up face-to-face, at least at first.

Online dating gives you a chance to share your feelings with that mysterious special someone. When you do find a person who seems compatible, you can go out and meet him or her. But don't worry, it's not scary at all. It will follow a few online chats and probably a few phone calls. By the time you actually meet, you will probably already know the other person well.

Don't know where to begin? Just make an online search of dating sites. Once you have joined a site that seems to best fit your needs, you can start browsing the profiles of the other members.

Not all of the participants will be there for casual encounters either; some seek serious relationships. Not a few will probably be quiet and somewhat shy in person, at least until you get to know them, much of the process of which can be done online.

Finding compatible people online is pretty easy. The ball is in your court and the entire decision lies with you as to just whose profile interests you and who you want to date.

Now, you may have been scared off by some of the horror stories surrounding online dating. It is true that it has been stigmatized by some disreputable people. It has its drawbacks, such as participants who lack credibility and deliberately mislead the other participants. But remember that without risk there is no possibility of gain. Being misled by someone can and does happen quite frequently in "real life," but does this mean that we stop meeting different people? Obviously, that is not the way we wish to live our lives.

Do not forget that online you have every chance to test the person you're interacting with on a psychological, emotional and intellectual level, through the messages you exchange with him or her before dating. Moreover, the opportunity to hide your personal information until you feel it is safe to do so gives you the upper hand.

Blocking people who attempt to bypass your rights as an Internet user by spamming or sending misleading information is another advantage in getting rid of those you don't want to be around. If only it was so easy to escape a drunk or other loser in real life!

The many securities offered through online dating, if taken advantage of, make it an effective and safe place to search for your lover. So discard those scary images, cast aside that loneliness, and find the right match for you through the online dating sites.

Now listen very carefully: You want to visit http://datinginfoforsingles.com/blog right NOW for the full scoop from Chandler Jones on expert dating and seduction techniques. Next, you will want to get your FREE library of seven eye-opening ebooks on how to flirt, kiss on the first date and be a better lover! Yes, they're free! Visit now.