Ohhhhhhhhhh hell even after 3 years being on here my kids still laugh at me when I do met someone online.

Ohhhhhhhhh they deal with it but they are not the only ones that think I'm weird. Just the others know better then to say anything. Cause I'm going to do what I want to.

Never really discussed with them, personal ads used to be the thing before these sites. I suppose they wouldn't think much figuring I'm a big girl. My ex has been with someone for awhile now that they met that way, never thought any different either way.

I thought it was kind of common to meet first online....seems the clubs have become a type of casual sex haven and not a place to meet any one for a serious relationship.

Its still preferable, though, to get out the house and mingle with others in the flesh,,but many who have schedules too busy to do so just add one more option by chatting on line to perspective friends or spouses.

Not really. Now at Denny's.....THAT would be weird.

I'm pretty sure it has a stigma. I don't personally give a ****, but yeah, I'm pretty sure one exists for online dating.

I don't have an issue telling people that my GF and I met online.
Using the internet is just a part of dating in the 21st century.
Just another avenue.

I showed my kids my Mingle account, the forums, profiles of people I have chatted with. the only thing that freaked out my youngest daughter was a woman who had a picture of herself petting a small bear.

"BearWoman" she is known as now, and that is the name she has given to "strange women looking for dates on the internet"

It depends on the sites and how they are monitored more and more. Some sites are more conservative and have a better image.

When family and friends question my use of dating sites I have been honest and told them that they are entitled to their opinions but also shared some of the pluses that online friendships allow.

Such all the security precautions all sites promote.

The safety that extended conversations to get to know someone that a quick hello somewhere can't give you.

That other people often also know, sometimes have met the person, or even work with them so you have more than your idea of who you may be interested in so often you are not going out "blind".

That in talking to others on line you get a multitude of experiences and perspectives without also having to go through it yourself.

That law enforcement is more and more monitoring dateing sites and weeding out the online preditors sometimes better that other venues.

By having computer skills you also know how to check out people and see if what they are telling you is true.

And last, family usually loves this, they can check out someone you are interested in and know that many online relationships lead to sucessful realationships and frequently marriage. The Arch diaoceses of the Methodist church reports that 80% of couples marrying in the church are meeting initially on line.

AARP also reports that seniors are actively dateing from on line sites so they maybe fussing but doing the same thing so stigma is fading.

I think it's true you may also meet a psycho in the RW, but the Internet makes it SO much easier to be something you're not. Face-to-face tells you a whole lot more about someone...their mannerisms, the sincerity in their actions, whether or not they actually hold down a job or panhandle, live in a suitable residence or in a cardboard box on the corner, or if there's wife/GF in the wings. Being able to watch them interact with you and with their friends and family I think offers a lot of insight. So, I'd say, from experience, meet, meet, meet and meet again before you commit to anything.

Well

Yea alot of people around me think its weird

But I am not on looking for love or really friends......my life is so full in the real world I really dont understand either how People make up big groups of online friends--talk on the phone--it weird to me (dont cut my throat---to each his own---JMO)

I started out looking for love---met someone--and learned REAL fast that its not worth the whole online thing--He was a fake-a phoney-a fraud!!! But ya live and learn-just anoother life experience

Im on here when my real world and real friends are working-with family-etc But to pick up the phone and conduct a relationship via verizon-no way!!!!

PS: Just my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can get anything on the internet. Tall blonde, average build, aisle 3.

nope non problem

I met papersmile online

and she has met all my friends and family

they know we met online and they all just adore her