YourTango Online Dating Bootcamp: Day Nine

Polyamory. Nonmonogamy. Open relationships. Whatever you call it, it's having a moment right now. More and more people are ditching monogamy in favor of experimenting with new relationship styles, and why not? Online dating opens up a world where millions of potential suitors are waiting, so it's the perfect opportunity to try your hand at dating around.

Day nine of YourTango's online dating bootcamp takes on the pros and cons of dating around with the help of Lyndsay Katauskas and Samantha Karlin. Here's a few highlights from what the ladies had to say:

• Pro: dating several people at the same time expands your options and teaches you to be a better dater, and those are always pluses.
• Con: you may be tempted to stay with someone even when you know there's no real connection. Don't waste time dating someone unless they genuinely interest you.
• Pro: dating multiple people keeps you in control, and helps prevent you from getting emotionally invested in someone who isn't a good match.
• Con: getting physically intimate requires a little more thought and safety. It may be wise to wait longer to jump in the sack than you normally would.
• Pro: you can gather a lot of information about what you want and don't want in a partner, and it's easier to see what qualities you're looking for when you can compare dates.
• Con: it can be destructive if not done correctly. Think carefully about who you're seeing and when, and make an effort to keep feelings unhurt.
• Pro: dating around isn't just a great way to learn about yourself, it's also a good way to learn about others. You can learn about cultures, careers, and ideologies that you've never been exposed to before, and my find yourself falling for someone you didn't expect to.
• Con: it can get confusing! Start seeing too many people, and you won't be able to keep them straight.
• Pro: dating around relieves some of the pressure that comes with seeing someone new. No more waiting anxiously for the phone to ring!
• Con: dating can start feeling like a game, and the people you're day may become nothing more than pawns. Drowning in dates may feel good at first, but it could just be a cover for a deeper loneliness.
• Pro: the more people you date, the quicker you'll separate the wheat from the chaff and find the one who's right for you.

See more advice from Samantha and Lyndsay here.

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