The truth of the matter is...most people just don't have time these days to wander aimlessly, hoping to accidentally bump into Mister or Miss Right, and if you're like me at all, you probably spend most of your time at work, parked in front of an unsympathetic computer.
You do see where I'm heading, don't you?
That's right. Your computer—more specifically, the World Wide Web—can help you put an end to those lonely, "phone's-not-ringing-think-I'll-down-another-pint-of-Haagen-Dazs" nights. Just try entering "dating service" on any given search engine, and you'll wind up with thousands of hits.
But how to avoid being swallowed up in the matchmaker morass? After all, as Mother used to say, "There's someone out there for everyone," and the plethora of online dating services certainly supports Mom's advice! Sites range from the wholesome to the downright repugnant—much like the available singles themselves. (Needless to say, you'll have to check elsewhere for reviews of naughty sites!)
Okay, I hear you. I'll just get on with it.
Meet Your Match
Although a bit slow to load because of its friendly, pink heart wallpaper, Match.Com struck me as one of the most cost-efficient and useful general online dating services available. Boasting over 100,000 members, with the addition of 6,059 new member profiles in just one week, it undoubtedly seems one of the hot spots to register. The service offers a 10-day trial membership to folks who merely want to poke their toes in the water. If you decide to become a regular member during your trial period, the monthly rate is only $7.95. Otherwise, the regular monthly rate is $9.95. Of course, in an effort to encourage longer-term membership, Match.Com offers discounts for three-, six-, or twelve-month memberships. (The price is pretty reasonable when you consider those newspaper personal ads with the 900-numbers that cost almost $2 per minute!)
The matching process is based on a collection of data entered by each member. Match.Com takes into account the type of relationship sought by the member (short/long-term, etc.), the member's age, and the preferred age of any potential matches. Optional profile information, also used for matching, includes location, ethnicity, religion, body type, height, smoking/drinking preference, and whether or not the member desires children. The service also allows a lengthy space for a personal description, but reserves the right to eliminate any words which could be deemed offensive. All in all, Match.Com provides an extremely thorough and success-oriented method of matchmaking.
Onward, Christian Services
If general online dating services don't seem to offer you the religious focus you need, Christian Dating Service International might be worth a look. At first glance, the price appears relatively reasonable—an application/registration packet costs $5.95, membership starts at $24, and fees are "structured so that the most dis-advantaged [sic] to the super- wealthy...can enjoy membership." Of course, as C.D.S. hastens to point out, "Anything that costs nothing, is worth nothing." Gee...could this explain the fact that membership fees can climb as high as $300? That must be the price reserved for the "super-wealthy." Although the site does offer a handful of testimonials from happy Christian couples brought together by C.D.S., it doesn't even try to explain the way the service works. If you decide to send in your $5.95, maybe you can fill me in.
A heavenly alternative to C.D.S. is Cyberlove: Free Christian Dating Service. The service is based in Australia, but will match people all over the world. Also, despite the fact that it calls itself a dating service, Cyberlove places a strong emphasis on wholesome email friendships. Each user is required to state his/her name, gender, type of relationship desired (from "Just a penfriend" to "Maybe marriage"), age, email address, denomination, and location. Other requested data includes "What I Enjoy in Life," "What I Like About Being a Christian," "What I want from my relationship on-line," and a personal description. Actually part of Eternity Magazine, Cyberlove charges nothing to users, but does accept contributions. If you're on a tight budget, Cyberlove could be the answer to your prayers.
Bored in the U.S.A.
I was amazed to find such an abundance of international online dating services. Less amazing, however, was the fact that almost all of them were ostensibly geared toward American men looking for primarily foreign brides. One salient example of these "mail-order bride" sites is The Global Love Connection. This site contains pictures of would-be brides, along with some very limited personal information, such as age, height, weight, country of origin, and one or two likes/dislikes. Like many of these sites, Global Love constantly refers to these women, who range from 18 to 49 years of age, as "girls." Men who fancy a "girl" can "order" one (actually an email or snail-mail address) for $5, with a minimum order of $10. As a woman, I was a bit uncomfortable with the unbalanced arrangement, but let's face it—these women, from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, England, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Southeast Asia, Spain, U.S.A., and the West Indies—assumably chose to advertise for a mate this way. To each her own, I suppose.
Another site of this type is Cherry Blossoms, based in Hawaii. Again, the site caters to American men seeking mainly foreign women. The women on this site come from Asia, Australia, Europe, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and South America. (Note the use of the word "women." It seems Cherry Blossoms has noticed that these people are all over 18!) Email addresses are available at two for $20, four for $30, seven for $50, and $5 each after $50. The prices might seem high compared to those posted by The Global Love Connection, but Cherry Blossoms seems to offer more information than its competitor. The profiles at Cherry Blossoms are somewhat more extensive, the pictures more professional, the general atmosphere a bit more genteel and respectful, and the site claims responsibility for "thousands of happy marriages since 1974." But, hey—what do I know??
It should go without saying that these sites are just a meager sample of what is available in the online dating world, and only you can decide which sites, if any, are right for you. You'll certainly have plenty to choose from. I guess Mom didn't know how right she was!
Additional Resources:
MEET Market Online Dating Service
THE INTERNET COMPUTER-DATING SERVICE
American Singles
Selective Beginnings (Herpes Dating
Service)
Telnet-based Chat Systems: Dating
International Dating Services
LoveLine.com (Gay)
Stargazers Dating Service (Gay and Lesbian)
AquaNet Dating Service (Israeli)
The Toronto Love Connection Plus (TLC+)
Chinese Dating Net
Jewish Bulletin of Northern California Online:
Personals
Love, Dating, Mate, Compatibility, Marriage