Anx said:

REAL love is real... no matter how or where you find it

I have found lots of love!

And, each and every one of them is special.

Yep.

Internet love CAN be real, but I believe it's 90 percent smoke, mirrors and self-delusion.

Here's why...

Your online beau IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN PERSON. People set themselves us for disappointment when they expect the "magic" of their Internet love to translate to REAL LIFE.

Men and women are equally guilty of this. I'VE done it. Twice, in fact.

Nowadays, I will SOLELY flirt or chat casually online. I date FLESH AND BLOOD women.

SnakePeel said:

It doesn't always happen that way, although I understand that many times it does. My wife and I met through this website, and from the moment we began corresponding, both of us maintained an "open and honest" policy about everything. I understand that we're very lucky, but we're also proof that it is possible to find a genuine relationship online without falsifying or secluding anything.

Moonbeam said:

See my first sentence. Notice the word 'Can.' But, Ian, you and Diva are DEFINITELY the exception and not the rule. Online dating is like joining Amway. Yes, you CAN get rich....but the odds are stacked against it.

You gotta remember that just cause you're on puterz doesn't mean you don't have flesh and blood on the other end of the line. Much the same way how you'd chat to a friend or relative online with the exception that you haven't yet met em yet! No different to the old fashioned penfriend type relationships which endearlingly grow till they meet! It would be interesting to see how a relationship would survive between two people who already see eachother everyday over the net and telephone... it has to do with connection- excuse the pun

And to answer the question- yes i have

Natisse said:

that's nice

never truely dated online. but i have met some of my bestfriends online. was even introduced to a couple girls online but met them in person before i had any feelings for them so i don't think that counts.

Teacher said:

you are so lucky to have MM just like he is even MORE lucky to have YOU in his life. Cherish eachother I wish you both nothing but the very best because YOU deserve it

SnakePeel said:

Gotcha. I misinterpreted your first sentence to mean that even in real internet love, 90% of it is smoke and mirrors.

nope, but I've been lied to a lot One thing rings true.....There are a lot of COWARDS that hide behind a computer screen, trust no one

Moonbeam said:

and you don't know how much hope that has given me

emm said:

Awesome! I wish you the best!

...and it's on sale 4 $19.99

sixftblonde6 said:

haven't found love, but i've def. made fantastic friends. i think that when used honestly and wisely the internet can be an AMAZING tool to find a partner because it allows you to cut through the social interactive awkwardness of bars or parties, and just be very honest about what you're seeking in a potential mate. it's like BOOM:

"i like virgos because of their practical nature and sanitary habits and sense of service. i want to be with an artist who is clever and sparks my intellectual and creative mindspring, non-tv watchers preferred. non-smoker who likes kids and interacts well with them. listens to the following types of music (fill in the blanks) but open to experience all. must be good in the kitchen and experimental in the boudoir"

NOW, REALLY....with all of the billions of us running around this planet bumping into each other like ants, think of the odds of meeting this person in a bar or at a dinner party...let alone your neighborhood or CITY ...the internet allows you to opportunity to hone in on those who posses the exact qualities you're looking for, and as long as neither of you are bi-polar or secretly afflicted with BPD, i it can actually increase your chances for finding a compatibility together. but, as in all situations, honesty and communication is key here

SammiJ said:

Me too!

My cousin got to know his girlfriend through the internet. Been together for 4 years now. She's now a very good friend of mine too and my room mate.

althom said:

oh, and yes.

SnakePeel said:

You pessimist you!

Well kinda. I met my wife while on holiday, but we didn't really spend that much time together, didn't talk that much and were just sorta kinda friends who swapped email addresses. It was in the year after through email, chat and phone calls that we grew closer so the internet was massive in our relationship. Been together over 5 years now.

I can see how some people find it a useful way to meet new people. My sister-in-law has joined a few singles sites and uses Yahoo and MSN messenger to meet guys, but it's very tricky. There's no shortage of men willing to come out to Thailand to meet a girl but rarely are they what she's looking for. Difficult even after many months chatting to really see someone's true colours and see what they'll be like person. When time is of the essence it becomes even more difficult. Ideally, I suppose, you wouldn't force the issue so much and would trust one day to just meet the right person naturally, but when you're busy, in your 30s, and in a foreign country to the people you'd like to meet it becomes more complicated. Fingers crossed though. As I said above, the internet certainly helped me out a lot as far as starting my relationship and indeed maintaining it when I was back in the UK.

I would never hook up with anyone over the internet. You don't know what you are getting. A lot of people make shit up and post fake photos. I don't think you can trust a lot of people that are on the net.

Spats said:

You're right. Sometimes people put on an act.

Fauxie said:

Exactly. I would say most people on the net do. You don't really know them.

Fauxie said:

Spats said:

You're right. And often you don't want to.