YOUR VIEW on online dating vs traditional dating Options

[lillylin91]

hey... i'm doing a sociological research paper on the issue of online dating... i REALLY need some opinions/feedback of what people think of it. I need a broad range of people to answer these questions, so I'd FULLY APPRECIATE it if any of you guys can help me by answering me these questions. since i'm only 18, i don't know anyone who online dates....

if you've only dated "traditionally" (face to face, meeting people in real life) then please answer any of these questions:
1. would you try online dating?
2. How long would you wait to meet the person in real life?
3. Would you exaggerate or make up things to make you seem like a better person?
4. Do you find online dating strange or awkward?
5. If you did online date, would you openly tell your friends/family?
6. What are the advantages of online dating?
7. What are the disadvantages of online dating?.
8. Would you feel like you missed out on the “real” dating process of which you would see, touch, feel the person? (such as going to the movies, dancing, eating together)
9. If you had to choose, would you prefer to online date or traditionally date?
10. What is the reason(s) that are keeping you from online dating?

if you've online dated, it'd be even MORE helpful. Please answer THESE questions:
1. Which online dating service did you use?
2. How much did it cost and do you think it was worth it?
3. How long did it take to find your match through online dating?
4. How would you and the other communicate?
5. How often would you communicate with them?
6. Was it difficult to express your emotions through the internet?
7. When did you two first meet in person?
8. Was it awkward to first meet them?
9. Was this person what you expected from their profile and how they acted on the internet?
10. Did you exaggerate or make up anything on your profile to make yourself more attractive to potential dates?
11. If different, how so?
12. Was it strange or awkward to try this new method?
13. Was it strange or awkward to tell your friends/family about it because some people frown upon it?
14. Regarding to your political views, would you consider yourself to be more conservative or more liberal?
15. Did the relationship through online dating last longer than the one through traditional dating?
16. What are the advantages of online dating?
17. What are the disadvantages of online dating?.
18. Do you feel like you missed out on the “real” dating process of which you would see, touch, feel the person? (such as going to the movies, dancing, eating together)
19. Do you prefer online dating over traditional dating?
20. From your experience of dating in both ways, which method would you recommend?

okay, thank you SO much for your cooperation :):) please also mention your name, age, gender, religion or whether you're athiest, and description/general location (completely urban, rural, isolated city, etc) thanks!!!

[HeartOfPandora]

Female, 18. See 14 for political? Living in the suburbs of a small town, BLEH.

1. Which online dating service did you use?
Met in a random chat room, never paid for a service.

2. How much did it cost and do you think it was worth it?
n/a

3. How long did it take to find your match through online dating?
n/a

4. How would you and the other communicate?
At first only via IM, but every once in a while we'll talk on the phone now (when either of us can afford it) and also texting. Trying to get him to get Skype, the lazy bitch! A good few times a month we're on webcam, just to see the other's face.

5. How often would you communicate with them?
Nearly every day, except where holidays or family functions interfere and the time zone gap doesn't allow it.

6. Was it difficult to express your emotions through the internet?
Using only words, definitely. At first, you have to be so careful with the words you use when you're upset, or even just being sarcastic because the other person may not quite have picked up your own personal textual cues to your moods. After a while, though, you start to understand context a hell of a lot better, though nowhere near as perfectly as verbal cues can point out.

7. When did you two first meet in person?
We haven't yet, but in less than a month we will! EEP.

8. Was it awkward to first meet them?
n/a but we've been together so long I certainly hope it won't be! ><

9. Was this person what you expected from their profile and how they acted on the internet?
n/a

10. Did you exaggerate or make up anything on your profile to make yourself more attractive to potential dates?
No way. Exaggerating who you are is just lying, and that's asking for serious trouble. If you want to keep your relationship (or get one, even) then just don't lie.

11. If different, how so?
eh?

12. Was it strange or awkward to try this new method?
Well I wasn't even looking for a relationship

13. Was it strange or awkward to tell your friends/family about it because some people frown upon it?
The only thing I shied away from was the age gap, and only because I was afraid my relatives would do something about it. Other than that, I had no problem telling people (though it does get repetitive and annoying when people ask the same nosy questions and still can't believe it).

14. Regarding to your political views, would you consider yourself to be more conservative or more liberal?
Depends on the day lol. Mostly in the middle, with a slight tip to the liberal side.

15. Did the relationship through online dating last longer than the one through traditional dating?
Well considering I've never had a "traditional" boyfriend, and I've been with my LDR guy for almost 3 years...YES lol.

16. What are the advantages of online dating?
It puts way less pressure on both people by removing any normal social awkwardness that might normally push you apart, no matter how good a couple you could have made. In a way, it's a lot simpler. But in other ways...

17. What are the disadvantages of online dating?.
The lack of contact! You might talk every day online or on the phone, maybe you even see each other over webcam but you'd be surprised at how taxing it is emotionally not to be able to give a simple hug (or do other things to/with, if you catch my drift) to someone you care about. Sexual tension is especially high when you can see and hear the person but not touch. You just have to get creative, if you're comfortable with it (and if not, SUCKS TO BE YOU lawl).

18. Do you feel like you missed out on the “real” dating process of which you would see, touch, feel the person? (such as going to the movies, dancing, eating together)
Yeah, after getting past the initial awkwardness, I definitely missed being able to do all the little things. You're getting to know someone pretty well emotionally, but again, you really miss all the little things about them that you can't possibly know yet.

19. Do you prefer online dating over traditional dating?
n/a

20. From your experience of dating in both ways, which method would you recommend?
Introverts are probably better breaking the ice online (more time to think and be relaxed), and extroverts offline. That said, I haven't an opinion past that 'cause I've never dated offline (/blows loser horn).