Is it Better to Date Online or the Old Fashioned Way?

Today you can do just about anything online, including dating. It seems a lot easier doesn’t it? You scroll through some profiles, glance at a few pictures, pick the one you like and send a quick message.  Next thing you know you’re on a date with the person of your dreams, thanking your lucky stars. Well, that’s how it’s supposed to go anyway. Sometimes it’s a pleasant date, and other times it’s like something straight out of a horror movie. But is dating the old fashioned way any better?

Maybe you’re out at a bar, hanging with friends, or sitting alone somewhere and that person of interest walks into your line of view. After you’re done ogling them, you need to get their attention.  Even after you’ve gotten their attention, one of you has to say something. Eventually the invitation to go on a date comes and you’re all too excited. During the actual date you’re a nervous wreck but you find that you really like the person. That’s one outcome; but another is that you realize your date is an absolute nut!

There are pros and cons to both styles of dating.

The Pros to Dating Online

1. Weeding out all the things you want and don’t want

Think of all the time you’re saving not going on dates with people you have nothing in common with. Dating sites are supposed to help you find people you are compatible with and are interested in the same things as you. Just look at eHarmony; it has compatibility down to science.

2. You don’t have to stop your life

A lot of people claim they are single because there is just not enough hours in a day to search for dates, go to school, and hold down a job.  It’s hard enough to get all the things you need to get done in one day, try adding scoping out a date for Friday night. Yeah, I don’t think so. Having a dating profile allows for you to save time finding someone or lets someone else find you. Now you can do it all and still have someone in your life.

3. Present your best side at all times

You never know when and where you might run into someone who could strike your fancy. Sadly, the majority of us are not Beyoncé and we did not “wake up like this.” Most of us can’t afford to leave our house looking like models all the time; we don’t have the time or money. Having a dating profile allows you to show your best side to potential dates at all times. As far as they know, you did “wake up like this!”

The Cons to Dating Online

1. Their page could be a complete lie

They look good, have a great job, and love all the things you love. It sounds to good to be true, and it just might be. There are people on these dating sites who might pretend to be someone they aren’t. Have you ever seen the MTV show Catfish? You think you’re meeting your soulmate and you accidentally meet your new stalker. Oops!

2. What’s good on paper isn’t always good in person

Maybe you found someone online that you truly think you’ll hit it off with but when you go on your date there’s just no chemistry. A lot of times when you meet people in person you get a feel for their energy; it can either draw you in or make you apathetic.  When you meet someone on the web it’s hard to know whether or not there is chemistry.

The Pros of Traditional Dating

1. You get a better feel for your date

When you meet someone and decide you want to go on a date you already have an idea of what to expect. There are a lot of things you can observe that will tell you about your date, like what they wear, what they do, and how they interact with others. Let’s not forget how they interact with you when they ask you out, or you ask them out. Those small conversations or greetings go a long way on your first date.

2. There is just something about being traditional

Some people just prefer the old school way of doing things. You might like the fact that you still posses the moves to attract the opposite sex. You’re probably a fan of meeting new people all the time, especially when they want to date you. You’re one of those people who like to tell the cute story of how the two of you met. Whatever your reasons, you just prefer the traditional way of things.

3.  It’s a confidence booster

When you meet people in person and ask them out there is a sense of exposure. You are opening yourself for possible rejection and slight humiliation. It takes a lot of courage to approach a total stranger and let them decide whether you’re good enough for them. Without a doubt you feel a small rush when they like you enough to say yes.

The Cons of Traditional Dating 

1. Possible rejection and embarrassment

Not everyone you ask out is going to give you the thumbs up and say yes. A couple of people might politely turn you down, while others could make a full on scene. Either way, your ego totally took a beating. Rejection is not easy for anyone to take. Unfortunately you might have to go through a couple of wrong people to get to the right one.

2. You don’t know what you’re getting

With online dating you can at least assume the people are looking to date. This can’t be said for everyone you meet in person. Sometimes someone asks you out and you’re not even sure if it’s a date or if the two of you are just hanging out. You’re not sure if the person you asked out is single or in a committed relationship already. Heck, the person might not even show up to your date at all. You just never know.

There is no right way to date, the important thing is getting yourself out there!