Making the Case for Online Dating

I never thought it would come to this, but here I am writing about the importance of keeping an open mind after 35 and trying the online dating scene.  Why?  Well, it really is quite simple-- how else are you going to screen through a bunch of people while juggling work and kids?  We all barely have time for the friends we already have in our lives, so without wasting a ton of time and still preserving our egos and livers, it has become amazingly easy to screen out potential dating candidates online from the comfort of your own home or on your smart phone.

The fact is that over 20% of people are meeting online now, and there are a ton of options that cater to different tastes and preferences.  My last three friends to marry (one is a doctor, the other is a lawyer, and the third is a PR exec) all met their husbands online, and many of my clients, all highly educated and decent people, are finding quality people through the various sites.  Here are the most popular ones that I've heard of:

1. Match.com
2. Zoosk.com (which is also an app with a carousel that lets you scroll through pics);
3. Chemistry.com (which is owned by Match.com and tries to match you based on personalities)
4. Eharmony.com  (known for those wanting a serious relationship)
5. Our Time (for those over 50);
6. How About We... (you finish the sentence by suggesting a fun date)
7. OK Cupid
8. JDate (for those that want to date Jewish people);
9. Christian Mingle (for those that want to date Christians); and
10. Plenty of Fish

If you don't want to s*it where you eat by dating people at work or in your building, which could lead to very awkward situations when things don't work out, then I highly recommend you give the online thing a shot.  I'm not saying it will be easy, and I'm definitely not vouching for the integrity of everyone on those sites.  The fact is there are creeps everywhere, and it is up to you to be savvy about the information you put out there and the measures of precaution you take to guard your safety-- and sanity.

The online scene has definitely improved over the last 10 years, and it can be a lot of fun.  Here's hoping you will feel like a kid in a candy store-- and who knows who you will meet???  You just never know... :)