Why use the internet as a means of finding love online?? Why not?

It's been my experience that a small group of people feel that only "losers" use the internet to find love. Not true! I can't speak for everyone, but I know why I choose to use the internet as a way of possibly finding that special someone... and there are more pro's than con's.

The pro's...

I'm fairly new to my area. I moved 750 miles away from my hometown a few years ago. I don't know many people here, mostly just co-workers, and I don't like mixing business with pleasure. It's just not good policy.

There aren't many places to meet people in this small town either. We have one bowling alley, two movie theaters, no culture to speak of. The nearest large city is in another state, and about a forty mile drive. So I'm stuck. I would feel a little foolish walking up to a man in the produce isle of the local grocery store and introducing myself.

Of the few people I do know, most are married... and so are their friends. That pretty much rules out meeting someone via an introduction through an acquaintance.

Answering personals ads, or posting one online, is no different than putting an ad in the personals section of the local newspaper. And again, because this is a small town, there are very few personals ads in the local paper... most who post are women. Maybe there is a shortage of available men here.

The internet opens the door to meeting available men I would otherwise probably never meet. I don't intend on living my last days out in this town, so why limit my myself to finding love here?

When meeting someone via email through a personals ad, I have the option of screening before deciding to meet. It's a time saving factor. Much of my free time is consumed at the moment with work and my book venture. I don't have three or four nights a week to go on �blind' dates hoping that I'm compatible with someone. Emailing is a way of finding out what I need to know about someone at my leisure... before investing the time. It's also cheaper than going out on several dates before discovering we're not suitable to each other. Not that the internet is a full proof way of knowing if you are compatible before meeting, but it does give you a lot of insight into one's personality prior to doing the real time thing. If I'm not attracted to at least some facet of their personality online, chances are great that I won't be attracted real time either. In using the internet, I have the opportunity to learn about their past relationships, values, morals, etc. through email. People generally aren't that revealing on the first few dates. It's easier to be open on the internet than when you're face to face.

The con's...

This is difficult. Other than the obvious deceptions that can occur... giving a false description, age, marital status, or even false gender... there really aren't any negatives. Even those deceptions can be can't be pulled off for long if you request pictures, setting up a time and date to meet and phone contact. If someone shy's away from you're request's, past the time you deem �normal' for getting comfortable enough to send a picture, talk on the phone or meet, chances are something is amiss and contact should cease. But it's been my experience that most people are honest and sincere when answering or posting personal ads, hoping to meet that special someone.

With people becoming more mobile, and having less time to devote in the pursuit of personal ventures, the internet is a fantastic way to begin communications before meeting.