More and more people find their love online. No wonder, says Marc de Jong. He thinks that online dating is even better than dating in
real world.Let me tell you a story. For years I went to bars, festivals and other meetings, and it wasn't always for beer or music. To be honest, many times I was mainly looking for a girl friend, for a woman to spend rest of my life with. I had my share of dates, don't worry: Frankenstein was not my father, some ladies even consider me handsome. But in end I was still living on my own, and slept in a bed that was always too big.
Life changed when I bought a modem and went on Internet. Initially my connection wasn't meant for a ride on electronic highway to love - remember: I am a music fan - but it lasted only a few days before I first visited a dating site. Within seconds, thousands of women entered my cramped living room, and after a little surfin' around I wrote a girl that called herself Pearlemma. I hope it was not her real name.
Only 24 hours later Pearlemma wrote me back. We exchanged up to six letters. Then it became clear she was only interested in having a chat once in a while. I knew type - from bars, festivals and other meetings. My next stop was FriendFinder, one of oldest and best known dating sites. I found a lady with whom I shared some hobbies and interests, but I soon had enough when she sent me her picture.
Online dating finally became serious when I put my ad on a site called Soulmates or something like that. I got a few replies, wrote back, got more replies, wrote back again, made a selection, wrote more, met her. Love, romance, you got it, and I got it. And then we split up. These things happen, not only in virtual world. But at least I knew, online dating could work.
So when I had come to terms with emotional damage, I put another ad, and this time it was really bingo time. Over one hundred replies. And you know what? I'm happily married now, for over eighteen months, with a lady who used to live on other side of world.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I truly believe online dating works. And even better than real world dating. First of all, there's choice. Second, there's comfort. On net, you can meet thousands of potential partners and still stay at home. Your choice is incredible: as long as you speak a few words of English, you can communicate with almost whole world. And even when you only speak your native tongue (if not English) then you can still reach more people than you will ever be able to meet in a bar. You can write at daytime, at your work, during one of these dull and lonely evenings, in middle of night when bed's too big again. Doesn't matter: you can choose time and place yourself.
Maybe you only want someone who lives just around corner, but let me tell you this: international aspect of online dating adds some extra flavour, which you will never regret to try. Other countries means other cultures, and other cultures are not scary, no, they enrich your life. They broaden your view, tell you what's strange about your own culture, and show you things you had never dreamt of. Besides, it's very exciting to go on holiday knowing you'll meet this mysterious man or woman for first time. And if love is true and country nice, you have a great holiday destination for future as well.
