Monday, March 28, 2011

Meet Un-cute . . .


Meet-Cute: a convention of romantic comedies in which two potential romantic partners meet in a contrived way in unusual or comic circumstances.

The last few weeks I've started to consider doing something I haven't attempted in years: dating (dum, dum, dummmmmmm). It's been awhile, ladies and gents. While I'd like to say I've just been waiting around for the right chap, I think the truth is I just haven't really felt like it was worth my time and effort. Whenever I got truly lonely, I always had a huge circle of people to fill the void. Sure, there was no special someone, but part of me thinks that really isn't in the cards for me anyway. I have tried dating a few times, but it's never really worked, usually running a distant second to an evening in with a new dvd or a good book.

Lately, though, I've been thinking about it more often, the reason being, of course: I no longer have a huge circle of people to fill me up when loneliness hits. However, I am not naturally gregarious, and have no desire to try hitting bars or something to try to meet people. Possible solution? The dreaded dating site. Yes, folks, I'm actually thinking of paying a website so that I can talk to strangers in the hope that I will find someone who occasionally wants to go see a movie with me. It's such a weird concept, and I know that a lot of people do it these days, but I still feel like it would be better to meet in a bookstore or in line at a Starbucks or something.

Being as this isn't a film, however, I guess I'll have to put up a profile and hope for the best.

What do you think, dear readers? Are dating sites the last bastion of the desperate, or just the way people meet nowadays? Would you join a dating site?

7 comments:

Elle said...

People keep telling me to try online dating. I don't really want to because the idea kind of creeps me out, and I much prefer to meet someone casually in person and become friends first. (In theory, at least. This hasn't actually worked out so well in practice.) But I also don't like bars and I don't get out much and so my options are next to zero when it comes to meeting new people the old fashioned way. I don't know...maybe it's worth a try. I'd try one of the sites with free trials first, though.

SquirrelyMama said...

If you're going to sign up for online dating, it might as well be free. You'll have to wade through some real creepy people, but OKCupid.com has done well for me in the past, especially if you start searching and contact some people yourself.

(oh, and HI! I'm reading your blog, don't know why I never commented before)

Maggie said...

I think it's a great idea, especially since you're in a new city where you don't know many people. I have several friends who have met (and married) people they met on dating sites. I've heard good things about match.com, but pick one you're comfortable with.

Go for it!

Maggie said...

I think it's a great idea! Especially since you are in a city where you don't know many people. I have several friends who have met (and even married) people they met via a dating site. I hear good things about match.com.

Go for it!

LibertyJBE said...

Okay, so I dating using E-Harmony a few years ago. Me and my two roommates did it at the same time. I meet my husband. One roommate is engaged to someone she found on E-Harmony and the third roommate was in a long term relationship with someone she met on the site. I agree internet dating isn't for everyone, but it worked for me. Basically I think its good for people looking to make a connection. I always felt guys I met at parties and bars thought I would be the made up sexified version when we met for dates. But I'm like an elderly lady in a young person's body. I'm old fashioned and that didn't jive well in the Los Angeles scene. Luckily I found a man who valued the same things and now we're old fashioned loners together.

Ginger said...

Thanks for the support, guys! I think I might give it a go;)

Nikki said...

My sister met her husband through e-harmony. My BFF met her last boyfriend through e-harmony and they had a pretty good run, and met her delightful current through Plenty of Fish. Two dear friends of mine met their wives through Match.com (all happily married and with kids). Another dear friend who is similarly not-dating-inclined had a great 1st date and is excited about a second through a Dating For Nerds website. Another friend swears by OKCupid because they have complex compatibility algorithms. She's poly and has had several delightful relationships through it; OKcupid scores for people with similar morals & values & personality characteristics, so 96% match & up has generally been wildly successful for her. I wouldn't classify any of these folks as desperate. More that they didn't want to go sit in clubs, chat up strangers on the bus, contrive situations at grocery stores, and go on awkward blind dates. Dating sites can give you a good idea of what you have in common in advance.