Contributed by: Jet on Friday, February 01 2013 @ 08:42 am
Last modified on
For many people, online dating is a way to “get their foot in the door.” Perhaps they’re incredibly shy, or they have a tendency to put their foot in their mouth. Having an online profile allows them to give a glimpse of the person they really are without getting tangled up in the awkward first-impression stage.
However, there are others for whom the computer is an additional obstacle to their love life. Maybe they’re not used to expressing themselves through the written word. Maybe they’re just slow typers, and the idea of real-time online communication terrifies them. Whatever their individual story, they’re the ones who are wishing they could make that first impression in person.
However, even for those skilled at in-person interaction, it might not be as simple as just “finding someone.” Online dating is becoming one of the most popular ways to meet someone; if you don’t have any friends who know other single people, and you don’t have an online profile, you’re eliminating the biggest ways people meet each other today. There are many other reasons online dating might be a better fit; an unconventional schedule, or just a small town with no real social outlets, for example. Just because you aren’t computer-savvy doesn’t mean online dating isn’t a viable option for you.
So what can you do if you’re one who falls in the cracks? Start by getting some outside help. Get a friend or family member to help you proofread. The great thing about an online profile is that you can take all the time you need to create that first impression - and you can always change it later, too.
Don’t worry too much about real-time typing - that works for some, but it’s by no means a necessity. Be honest in your emails or even your profile - that you’re a slow typer or that you work better face-to-face. Phone calls or video chat can be an excellent alternative to typing if you want to get comfortable before meeting in person.
And if you’re a computer-savvy someone perusing profiles yourself - don’t dismiss a less-skilled profile right out of hand, particularly if there’s something about it that draws your interest. We all have different weaknesses, and the true test of chemistry comes in person, not through correspondence. Why not take a chance, send a contact message and step out of your own box?
Online dating is a great way to emphasize your strengths - as long as we remember that not all of our strengths are the same. A relationship is about communication, and there are many different ways to communicate; whatever your strengths, try not to focus on only the written word.