Online Dating Infographics
We just stumbled across WhyTheyreSingle.com and it’s a hilarious collection of online dating experiences of the weird and awesome. Here are some of our favorite creepers and winners from the site.

Creepers

Have Herpes?

Ok, so I get those dating sites designed for people with STDs — there are even a couple specifically for those with herpes. And that’s great, because there are daters of all types, and sites like PostitiveSingles help singles connect. Hey, this guy wants someone with herpes? No biggie… oh, wait. He doesn’t have herpes.

Hannibal

I can understand someone who needs their privacy, but this is too much. You’re on an online dating site — show your face! If you want to get creative with masks or costumes, at least hold off on the ski mask with the side of creepy. Apparently, the person who submitted this photo to WhyTheyreSingle said that they blocked this person over and over, but they kept messaging them. Eek!

Click through for more →

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They Don’t Have A Facebook Profile: 3 Red Flag Reasons

by Kristin Marshall on May 14, 2012

Online Dating Infographics
You meet a great guy or gal while you’re out and would like to connect online. Facebook has almost 1 billion users now, so it may come as a surprise to meet someone who doesn’t have a profile. What if they don’t? It could be any number of reasons, most of them good ones. You don’t need a Facebook profile! But what if they don’t have one for the wrong reasons? After asking a few friends about their dating adventures online, we picked up on three red flag reasons why someone wouldn’t have a Facebook profile.

  • Lack of self-restraint – They may be the type of person that just can’t help but share everything about their wild nights out — risque photos, drunken status updates, you name it. What we won’t know is whether they’re doing it to hide the fact that they’re a wild child, or that they genuinely don’t want to enable themselves. This type of person may be fun to hang out with, but they may say or do things before thinking. And that could end badly.
  • Player gonna play – This type may want to stay off Facebook to avoid revealing their player status. How will they date multiple people if they can all find him or her on Facebook? Even keeping a private Facebook page would be too much to keep up with. Private message here, hidden status there… If you’re not looking for anything long-lasting, this may be the perfect type of person for you. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little fun. Just remember to not get hurt.
  • Tech scrooge – This type is uncomfortable with technology. It could be that they don’t have enough time to keep up with Facebook, and that’s fine. It’s a whole different story if they lack the patience or interest in learning about it. Will they have the patience or interest in learning about other new things? Again, with Facebook, it’s not always a bad thing, but if you are way into Facebook, then the two of you may butt heads. It could even extend beyond Facebook, and they may not be interested in technology at all. If it’s important that your date be into it, then you should probably move on. To each his or her own!

Carnival of Online Dating Welcome to the May 9, 2012 edition of the Carnival of Online Dating! This is the twenty-eighth edition of the blog carnival, and we really appreciate those who have submitted their links for inclusion. Spread the word: The next Carnival of Online Dating will be May 23, 2012, so make sure to get your submissions in by then. It will also be our last Carnival of Online Dating, so let’s go out with a bang!

Dating Tips & Advice

Personal Anecdotes

Sex and Seduction

Be sure to tune in for our final carnival! It will be May 23rd, 2012, so make sure to get your submissions in by then!

That concludes this edition. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Online Dating Infographics
We’ve given you great first date ideas, essential first date tips, and even tips for first date conversation, but even after reading up, what if your first date isn’t going as planned? Anything could happen on a first date, but here are four signs your first date should be your last.

  • They checked someone else out. – Did she stare when that hot guy walked by? Did you see your date checking out that short skirt? There is a difference between people watching and ogling, so be sure it’s the latter before you write your date off. Ogling others while on a date is not acceptable. I mean, unless they’re checking you out! Your date should be respecting you.
  • They’re rude to the waitstaff. – If your date is rude to the waitstaff, cab driver, bartender or anyone else that serves you while on the date, consider this date the last. Now, there are exceptions when employees are snappy or rude first-off, but even then, how your date reacts will show their true colors. If your date is rude for no reason, well then, you’ve got a problem. Even if your waiter put in an incorrect order, or if the bar service is slow, there’s no need for insults or disrespect. Just think: If your date is rude to others, it’s fair to assume that they’ll do the same to you at some point.
  • They get drunk. – Many first dates include a few drinks — a glass of wine with dinner, or a few cocktails post-dancing. But, if your date ends up noticeably tipsy, even drunk, that’s a red flag. There’s an underlying problem, whether your date just doesn’t know his or her limits, or whatever the reason, watch out. Sometimes folks can get carried away, so try to limit yourself to 2 drinks and keep an eye out for your date’s intake. Also, keep a designated driver in mind. If they’re your ride home, and they’ve been drinking, call a cab!
  • You’re bored. – Alright, so you probably already knew this one, but hey, we’ve got to say it! If making conversation feels like pulling teeth, then it’s probably best that you make this your first and last date. Do your best to engage with your date — give him or her the benefit of the doubt! First dates can be nerve-racking for sure, but ride it out.

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Online Dating Don’ts

by Kristin Marshall on April 30, 2012

Online Dating Infographics
When to comes to the online dating world, there are plenty of disasters waiting to happen. Although some of them are unavoidable, there are many things you can do to prevent a disastrous outcome. As you go through the process of building your online dating profile and communicating with possible matches — following up on our online dating do’s — keep in mind these online dating don’ts:

  • Don’t seem desperate, even if you are. If you’re newly in contact with someone, don’t call, text or email him or her more than once a day -– unless they reply. Sure, you may feel like you’ve struck gold and are falling head-over-heels in love, but unless they’re reciprocating in some way, you need to cool those heels. Otherwise, you’ll come across as instable and desperate, and you may end the relationship before it even gets started.
  • Don’t lie. We get it. Most folks add an inch to their height, or drop a couple of pounds from their weight. We’re not talking about embellishing small details. But if you suddenly declare that you’re 5’11” at 135 pounds but you really stand at 5’5” and weigh 210, you’re going to have a problem as soon as that online dating romance takes a real-world turn.
  • Don’t look for the same kind of person who has hurt you in the past. Some of us are attracted to bad boys or to drama queens, but usually those things don’t work out so well. You need to break your pattern of picking potential lovers who are bad for you, and instead try to find healthy relationships.
  • Don’t give it all away right away. We’re not talking about sex, here. Especially with online dating, that should come down the road. We’re talking more about exposing your deepest, darkest secrets. Yes, in the long run you want to meet someone who loves you for who you are, and who accepts your faults. However, you don’t want to advertise those faults. Let the person discover them, one at a time, rather than dumping them all at once.
  • Don’t be rude. An obvious one, but we have to say it! If you do manage to land an in-person date, be on time. Don’t be rude, and don’t get drunk — two drinks is a good rule of thumb. Don’t check out other women (or other guys). Use your best manners, and just be courteous.

Online Dating Do’s

by Kristin Marshall on April 27, 2012

Online Dating Infographics
The online dating world is, in some ways, a minefield. Sure, you can dance across that minefield, taking extra care to step softly, but sometimes you’re just going to set someone off. Rather than tiptoeing and avoiding anything you think might be harmful to your online dating life, it’s time to accentuate the positive. It’s time to take some specific steps to improve not only your online dating profile, but your overall strategies and techniques. This may seem like tips for beginners only, but it’s always good for a refresher.

  • Look your best. This should go without saying! While you don’t need to have a professional picture taken for your profile, you do need to put your best foot forward. The same goes for photos elsewhere online. If you have a bunch of beer-swilling, beer-bellied pics on your Facebook page, eventually it’s going to work against you. The same goes for when you do set up an in-person date: Grooming is essential.
  • Enjoy yourself. Don’t be a downer. Sure, trying to find the love of your life is a serious and scary thing, but the fact of the matter is that folks aren’t out there looking for someone who’s going to depress them. Have a good time with it. Dating is supposed to be fun!
  • Be lavish with your praise. Make sure to drop compliments whenever appropriate. Don’t be so complimentary that it comes across as fake, of course. But if you do go out on a date, tell your date how nice he or she looks. Show that your appreciate all of the time and energy they spent getting ready.
  • Be interested and interesting. Don’t just talk to hear your own voice. Have a real dialogue. Ask questions. Pay attention to the answers. Identify your own areas of interest and passion, and share them succinctly. If the other person is interested in them, they’ll ask you for more.
  • Be honest about your feelings. If you’re not interested in someone, say so. You might want to be kind and not hurt their feelings, but in the long run you’re better off letting them go now rather than waiting.

Carnival of Online Dating Welcome to the April 25, 2012 edition of the Carnival of Online Dating! This is the twenty-seventh edition of the blog carnival, and we really appreciate those who have submitted their links for inclusion. Spread the word: The next Carnival of Online Dating will be May 9, 2012, so make sure to get your submissions in by 8:59pm PST/11:59pm EST Tuesday May 8.

Dating Tips & Advice

Personal Anecdotes

Sex & Seduction

Be sure to tune in every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays for more! The next Carnival of Online Dating will be May 9th, 2012, so make sure to get your submissions in by 8:59pm PST/11:59pm EST Tuesday May 8th!

That concludes this edition. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Online Dating Infographics
Sometimes, it may seem like college dates get old real fast as the one thing you both seem to have in common is that you’re probably broke, and after a few dinners and trips to the bars, there’s not much more to do. Hanging around is fine with your friends, but it is hard to start up an engaging relationship around food and alcohol only. It’s fun for you and your friends because you already know each other, but if you’re dating, you need fun activities to break the ice. Here are some ideas that may not have occurred to you without a little aid.

One great source of college dates if you’re both at least a little athletically inclined is to see what recreational activities your college offers. Swimming while you have that fresh spark between you can be a great time, and even if you’ve have been dating for awhile, it could be fun to have a new place to interact and fool around in the water. If your school has racquetball or tennis courts, they can also be fun places to work up a sweat. You can create your own rules depending on each of your athletic abilities and you will find conversation naturally occurs while playing because you have something in common to talk about right there. An added bonus is exercise releases endorphins and you’ll both be in a great mood after playing.

If sports are not your thing, or if your college doesn’t have a great recreational center, you may at least consider taking a nature walk. Ok, it sounds boring, but it doesn’t have to be — bring along snacks and a blanket! It gets you out of the house and sights will at least give you something to talk about. If you’re a little bit athletic, you could turn it into a bicycle ride.

Switching up gears a little, you may find inspiration in your activities from childhood. Try going to an art museum or the zoo for the afternoon. Both offer you a change of pace and scenery, and have plenty of built in conversation builders. What are your favorite pieces? What animal would you be? Even going to a school playground in the area may be fun as stories from your childhood are sure to come up — before long you could find yourself competing and showing off on the jungle gym or swings. Being a child is something you both share experiences from, so don’t be embarrassed go ahead and share them, believe it or not, you’ll have fun.

Definitely keep your eye out for festivals around campus and the town you live in. At some point, there are sure to be local festivals or activities that you can take part in that can shape a great date night. Take advantage of all of them so you keep your dating life fresh.

Why Online Dating?

by Kristin Marshall on April 23, 2012

Online Dating Infographics
From a small town to a big city, if you start to feel like you’re dating the same type of person, or that you’ve run out of eligible partners, it’s probably because you’ve gotten yourself into a routine and/or social circle that only holds so many prospects. Even if you feel like there is no one new to date or is worth a shot to date, you know that can’t be true — there are billions of people in the world. This is why many people have turned to online dating to find new potential dating matches.

There’s a certain thrill to meeting up with someone you have only been dating online, because people are more apt to open themselves up and let each other see their true colors online. When you’re dating online, you simply have to close a window to get out of a conversation, and know you will never have to hear from that person again, so you are more likely to take a risk, which often pays off.

Of course, it should be noted that the same way you let your guard down because you know the other person can’t see you, the other person knows you cannot see them as well. You’re definitely putting yourself at risk of being taken advantage of or even placing yourself into potential dangerous situation if you’re not protecting your privacy. It’s easy for someone to say they’re a well-mannered guy, but the truth is, you could be speaking to someone who doesn’t have the best of intentions. Don’t let this discourage you, though! But the point does need to be made. Always meet a potential date in a public place so you’re out in the open. Have a plan just in case things go south — there are nifty mobile apps out there that can help you get out of a disaster date.

Negativity aside, there are many stories of people who actually meet their matches online. How? Well, I believe it’s a combination of luck, timing, and work. Work? Yes! You should keep you profile fresh and reach out to possible matches as often as you can, sometimes it comes down to a numbers game, as bad as it sounds. Online dating gives you the ability to filter many people at once according to your preferences — imagine if you could do this in real life! If other methods are getting you down, perhaps you should consider jumping on an online dating site.

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Online Dating Infographics
If thoughts of breaking have been racing through your mind lately, it means you may be dangerously close to getting sucked into a black hole you will not be able to escape from. Once that thought worms its way into you or your partner’s head, every action, fight, and small mistake will figuratively be added to the file of reasons why a break up should happen. Instead of thinking of ways to combat the problems you’re facing, you’re creating a strong case of why you should not even bother. If you catch yourself thinking that way, you should act right away to solve the problems in your relationship before you cross the point of no return.

If you’re still able to communicate, you need to sit down with your partner and express your feelings and tell them what you feel is causing problems in your relationship. Most issues exist because each party wrongly assumes they know what the other is thinking, and build their case from there. Communication goes both ways, so in order for you to effectively validate the problems in your relationship, you need to allow them the opportunity to express how they’re feeling as well. Showing them that despite your overwhelming feelings, you too can sit back and take the time to listen to their feelings will strengthen their faith and trust in you and help to build a stronger bond between the two of you.

After you have the talk, give one another some space. At this point, emotions are running high and some time should pass before you can objectively begin to address the problems that exist between you. Things will not get better overnight, but they will have the best chance if you reopen the lines of communication and allow some time for both points of view to register.

While your partner is taking some time to think about what you’ve said, show them why you should be together and why the relationship is worth working for. Remember the excitement you felt at the beginning of your relationship, when everything was new and wonderful. Relive that feeling by digging yourself out of the rut you have fallen into. Instead of a movie every Friday night, take part in new activities together to try and rediscover that thrill. Perhaps a weekend camping will reinvigorate your spark or, if you live by a lake or ocean, try waterskiing. Sharing new activities together is a great way to bond while working out the problems within the relationship. Give one other a reason to smile, and it will be much easier to connect and communicate effectively to head down the path of a happy, successful relationship.

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