Do You Use the Internet to Get Laid? [He Said/She Said]

January 23, 2013 6:01 pm     Posted in He Said She Said  Ellen Scott g+ page

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By Ellen Scott

My initial response to using websites like Craigslist or OKCupid’s blind date app to find hookups has always been no, no, NO. It freaks me out. Call it watching too many episodes of Catfish, but I am just too freaked out by how easy it is to lie about who you are online. A seemingly cute guy could be a 40 year old woman. Someone who says they love the same bands as you could be Googling them as you type. It’s scary.

But to be fair, anyone can lie. It may be a lot easier to do online, but even someone you meet in a more socially accepted way could be a complete psychopath. Dating is risky. Maybe if we’re still clinging on to the idea of old fashioned romance we also have to get back to the times of actually trusting people. Of not being terrified that a guy could be completely nuts and just enjoy the excitement of getting to know someone.

The OKCupid app sounds weird, but actually kind of sweet. You don’t get to see each other’s photos, and don’t even get to choose your date. You’re matched with someone simply based on where you’d like to have your date, the nights you’re available and your age and location. It could be kind of cool, meeting someone by chance who you just get on with, either in a friend-sense or romantically. I guess that’s the romantic side of me, hoping that these kind of random meetings — meeting someone who just gets you — can still happen, even with some internet intervention.

So there you go, my paranoid side and my romantic side. Let’s meet in the middle. Yay or Nay on using the internet for hookups? I say Yay, with caution. Go with the romance and mystery of the situation. Don’t Facebook stalk. But be safe. Go to a place where your friend works, or tell your room-mate that if you’re not home by a specific time, give you a call. Obviously, have an alert word in case you need an ‘Oh sorry, I have to go! My friend’s having a problem!’ call. Good luck intrepid internet daters.

What do you think of this week’s topic? Have you ever met a date online, or are you strongly against the whole idea? Leave a comment below and click here to see what He Said!

[Lead image via doomu/Shutterstock]

 

10 Comments on "Do You Use the Internet to Get Laid? [He Said/She Said]"

  1. Shanthi says:
    Wed, 23rd Jan 20139:16 pm 

    I would totally not be opposed to using a dating site but I don't know about Craigslist (I just don't see that ending well…). It's really hard to trust people on the internet anymore since so many people create fake identities like you were saying. I think I would rather be set up on a blind date by my friends than meet up with some random person that I don't know. Even if I don't like my friends' choice, at least I know I am safe with the person they set me up with?

  2. tkastaneer says:
    Fri, 25th Jan 20138:10 am 

    OKC sounds cute in theory but I feel as though more needs to go into a connection, I feel with OKC you may be roped into numerous pointless dates because the people you're meeting may not have anything in common with you there seems to be no basis for a relationship other then you like the same Thai restaurant … and as far as craigslist dating well that seems like you're just auditioning for the next BTK killer … craigslist in general just scares me so that may be my bias.

  3. mel says:
    Fri, 25th Jan 20134:46 pm 

    You can't possibly know you're safe with your friend's choice. You're just giving yourself a false sense of security. No matter what kind of date you go on, you should always go in with the same form of caution. Don't let them touch your drinks. Go somewhere crowded if you really feel that way. Don't let them pick you up from where you live, don't get into a car with them. Basically, don't be stupid. If you're meeting up with them, I like to tell my girl friends to call me before they leave so that (if it's early enough) we can hang out/she can get home safely.

  4. Shanthi says:
    Fri, 25th Jan 20135:19 pm 

    I am not giving myself any false sense of security. I realize that just because my friends set me up with them doesn't make them perfectly safe. However, it's definitely safer than meeting some random guy off of craigslist or OK Cupid. Also, all the "tips" you mentioned above are common sense, which I think I have plenty of so I don't really need your advice. I already know how "to not be stupid". Thanks.

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    Mon, 28th Jan 20131:28 am 

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  6. facebook blog says:
    Wed, 3rd Apr 20132:08 pm 

    Actually i came here while searching on google for that term and its just awesome article. i like it and share it to my fans. So I like to tell you that your 4th point is most powerful then any other. appreciate it

  7. domain name says:
    Tue, 9th Apr 20137:46 am 

    I got here great stuff,It's really hard to trust people on the internet anymore since so many people create fake identities like you were saying.Thanks

  8. morocco tours says:
    Mon, 29th Apr 201312:00 pm 

    it's a noooo way for me too

  9. unblocked games says:
    Wed, 1st May 20131:20 pm 

    for me i don't do that i guess it's kind a wrong i am only using internet for some work and having fun

  10. العاب فلاش says:
    Mon, 13th May 20138:07 pm 

    Thanks for the article is actually good

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