We live in a time where you’ll almost never catch a stranger’s gaze on the subway or on a park bench. Laptops, iphones, and apps for everything and anything have captured our eyes and we just won’t let them go in public, for fear of us accidentally meeting someone the old-fashion way. This has basically taken the tradition out of doing the cold call and picking up a stranger in a park, bus, airport, etc. Meeting people isn’t as easy, because society has trained us that that is no longer natural, and instead we have to play Angry Birds until we’re back in our homes.

However, this isn’t entirely bad. Many relationships start online in today’s culture. As a matter of fact, enough start through internet dating that it’s not uncommon in the least. The idea is pretty straight-forward. You go to a dating website, fill out your profile, announce what you like, what you don’t like, who you’re looking for, and who you’re looking to avoid like the plague. Then, you select the virtual cards of others who are using the service or they select yours when they are found compatible, and you can communicate and get to know each other.

You can throw away the ones who don’t match your needs and keep the ones who do. Keep in mind that you’re on the Internet, though, which can be a place as sick and depraved as some countries without the murders but with more cat pictures and grown men posing as 22 year-old cheerleaders with nymphomania looking to troll your day. (Have fun researching).

But don’t let this deter you, love traveller. So many great couples and long-lasting loves started in an online dating forum – maybe even some of the couples you know. Just be smart, and use some discretion when you’re giving out your personal and identifying information. Most of these people are who they claim they are (but note that some are not), and if it works out, you could meet the love of your life. Internet dating is such a common way for people to meet and fall in love in today’s world that there is no reason to be scared. If you are scared, contact Dating Dave and I’ll do my best to help you.