24 Jan

The Advantages of Online Dating

The popularity of online dating has soared as more and more people have access to the internet.  According to some studies, 69 per cent of first dates are now organised as a result of meeting on an online dating site or via a social networking site.

One of the many advantages of dating online is that you are in complete control of the information you choose to provide about yourself – it can be as specific or as general as you are comfortable with.  With most dating sites you are able to peruse thousands of member profiles in the safety and comfort of your own home without the pressure of actually having to meet them in a bar or other public venue, and choose who you would like to contact.  More importantly, you can control who is allowed to contact you. 

Internet dating also allows you to narrow down the number of prospects based on criteria such as age, geographical location, and certain personality traits and characteristics which are important to you.  This means that anyone you are put in contact with will already have several things about them which should appeal to you.  By using an online dating site such as Parship, you can also avail of many other services on offer such as articles filled with dating advice, and a continually updated dating blog.

Single people with a limited amount of time due to pressures from work or family commitments are finding that using online dating sites such as Parship fits perfectly into their busy lives.  Online dating is also particularly suitable for single people who haven’t dated for a while and who would be nervous about going into more pressure-filled social situations to meet potential partners.  Online dating gives people the opportunity to narrow down the pool of potential dates from the safety and anonymity of their own computers or mobile phones before even initiating contact, which serves to increase their chances of finding a compatible partner.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

19 Jan

Easing First Date Nerves

Preparation is key to easing those first date nerves.  It can be nerve-racking finally meeting someone with whom you have been chatting online for a while, but do not worry, there are steps you can take to ensure things run smoothly.

Arrange to meet somewhere you will both feel comfortable.  Meeting for a coffee is good, as it allows you to bail out and make your excuses if things are not going well.  Equally, it is easy to extend the date and move on somewhere else if things are rosy.  This is a getting to know you session, so it is important that you can hear each other speak.  Avoid noisy places with loud music and distractions.

Prepare topics of conversation to avoid any awkward silences.  You can refer to past conversations you have had online.  Ask questions and listen to the answers.  Remember communication is a two-way street and the only way we learn things about each other is by listening.

Be safe.  Before a first date with an unknown person tell a friend where you are going and who you will be with. 

Posted in Dating by poppyspage | Add a Comment

16 Jan

Random Dating Facts And Figures

There is no denying the fact that online dating has become a part of the mainstream.  No longer considered a place reserved for weirdos and geeks, online dating agencies are the third most popular way to meet a new partner today.  Testimony to the success of online dating are the many happily married couples spread across the world who have found their ideal partners via online dating websites.

Internet dating has become a really effective and successful way of meeting a partner, this in turn has spawned a massive industry worth 2.5 billion pounds worldwide.

A survey back in 2009 conducted by YouGov and Maestro, found there were 8.6 million adults in the UK actively dating.  That is approximately half of all singles.

The national average of dates per year is four.  However, it is well documented that online dating is a more efficient method of finding a partner and those using online dating sites tend to go on more dates, simply due to the fact that they meet more suitable potential partners with online dating.

Dating is not kind on your wallet or purse.  The average cost of a date is over £206.87, with men usually bearing the brunt financially.  However, the money spent by women on beauty products and clothes in preparation for dates is almost the same at £191.38.

Other facts you might bear in mind or even find useful whilst planning your dating campaign are.

Welsh people are on average the highest spenders on dates.

Glasgow is the place to go if you are looking for the highest ratio of single women to men in the United Kingdom.  Reading has the lowest ratio of single women to men in the United Kingdom.

One in five 19-25 year-olds who get married started their relationship online.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

13 Jan

Dating Rules That Men Should Follow, But Often Forget

You believe you have found your ideal woman on an online dating site and you have arranged a date.  You have a lot in common with her and you are really excited.  But you are nervous because it is ages since you have been on a date with someone.

Do not worry.  Here is some dating advice which should raise your chances of success.

It may seem obvious, but sometimes these things get overlooked.  Take a shower beforehand so you smell good.  Dress in some nice, clean and ironed clothes and wear some smart shoes.  Choose a contemporary but casual outfit, something you feel comfortable in, but still look like you have made an effort.  A shave and a trip to the barber will also help make a good impression.  Make sure your fingernails and teeth are clean.

Prepare in your mind topics of conversation you think she may enjoy.  Avoid topics that are too controversial, or sports, unless she shares your passion for football, for example.  Do not talk too much about your job, unless she seems truly interested.  A date is for getting to know each other and there has to be two-way traffic when it comes to the conversation.

Do not expect anything physical on a first date.  Women find patient, non-pushy men more attractive.  Do not use coarse language.  Speak respectfully and be polite to your date at all times.

Following these basic rules could mean the difference between getting a second date and getting the cold shoulder.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating by poppyspage | Add a Comment

8 Jan

The Best Way to Meet Someone

As people use the internet to accomplish more and more things in their lives – from paying the phone bill and grocery shopping to booking holidays and keeping in touch with friends and family – it seems natural that more individuals are turning to the internet for romance.  The stigma attached to meeting a partner through an online dating site no longer exists and, in fact, it is rapidly becoming the most popular way to look for someone with whom one might foster a long-term relationship.

Single people are more likely than ever before to meet a suitable mate online using the services of a dating site such as Parship UK.  Of the 15 million or so single adults in the UK and Ireland, it is estimated that one-third have organised a first date via an online dating or social networking site.  With more and more people logging on to UK and Irish dating sites on a daily basis, and sites like Parship utilizing the most advanced compatibility testing software on the market to match their members with the best potential long-term partners, the best way to meet that someone special may very well be online.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

25 Dec

Pacing Yourself With Online Dating

It is always a good idea to go local with your choice of online dating services.  If you are scanning through a list of Irish dating sites, evaluate them on the basis of their popularity among the masses.   Online reviews are a good measure to go by, or you could even go with references from friends that may have used such services.

Of the many sites that you might select, the Parship dating site could be one.  One of the basic things you need to do once you register on the site is to create an accurate profile.  In your profile, try and be as natural as possible.  You are trying to attract people who have similar interests as yourself.  Pretending that you are something you are not is taboo – do not do it.

Once your profile has had time to elicit some positive responses, the first step is to allow the other person to get to know you.  Let the sharing be mutual and never ask too many probing questions on your first few interactions.  There is a time and place to ask for a photograph and you will know when the moment is right.  Seeming over-enthusiastic can work against you.  There are times when your potential partner may seem a bit shy about expressing himself or herself and that is where you need to be able to put them at their ease, and put yourself forward.

As you get to know a person you will see that there is a kind of pace that sets into your communications.  Try and stick to that pace so as not to overwhelm the person you are in touch with, or get ahead of yourself.  When you think the time is right move on to meeting each other. The dynamics can change at this point and you will be able to better determine whether things will work out or not.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

17 Dec

Online Dating – The New Way to Date

Online dating is now an integral part of the dating scene; UK and Irish dating sites now have hundreds of thousands of members, and their membership is growing all the time.  There is no longer any stigma attached to using an online dating agency, or to meeting a new partner this way.  With increased access to the internet and more and more aspects of people’s lives taking place online, looking for a long-term partner online is not only convenient, but also seems logical.

The internet is playing a huge role in how many people start a serious relationship, and some recent studies indicate that 69 per cent of all first dates are now organised via an online dating or social networking site.  Other surveys have found that many people – and men in particular – find it easier to form relationships online initially, perhaps because they can express their emotions more freely and find it easier to say how they feel than they would in a face to face situation.

Dating in Ireland and the UK using online dating sites is growing rapidly, and one of the most successful sites is EHarmony Dating.  EHarmony Dating uses scientifically proven personality-matching software – as well as advice from a team of experienced relationship experts – to match individuals based on the answers members provide to a personality inventory questionnaire.  This questionnaire, which is quite straightforward and doesn’t take long to complete, helps the dating site find out facts about their members’ personality, attitudes, likes and dislikes, values, beliefs, and behaviours and they then use this information to match them with other like-minded singles.

As well as matching members with other members using a percentage compatibility score, EHarmony offers extras such as articles filled with dating advice, and members are provided with a phone number and email address of a personal dating counsellor who will answer any dating questions they might have.

Posted in Online Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

11 Dec

Long Distance Love

Long distance relationships are common in the world of online dating.  The internet gives people the option of finding someone to love virtually anywhere, and opens up a world of possibilities that have never before been available.

Europeans have an amazing amount of freedom when it comes to living and working in other EU countries.  As you start your search for true love,  think realistically about whether or not you might be willing to relocate.  UK-based daters can widen their horizons simply looking at dating Ireland residents, as well as dating the residents of other EU nations. 

Long distance love can have a number of advantages for certain people.  The travel that will be necessary to physically be with the other person can help to add romance, excitement, and adventure to the relationship.  If you lead a busy day to day life, travelling for love may actually prove to be more relaxing than trying to squeeze in the demands of a relationship with someone who is easily accessible into your daily life.  You will need to plan ahead as the romance progresses, but this can actually improve the quality of the time you spend with your partner.  Some people actually prefer living apart from their long term partner,  communicating mostly by phone or the internet, and only seeing them a few times a year.

If the romance starts to grow, there are certain things that you can do to foster intimacy even when you are physically located far away from each other.  The easiest way to do this is to make sure that you involve your partner in the other relationships that you have.  While you may be tempted to keep them to yourself during their visits, it will be important for them to get to know your family and friends on a meaningful level if the relationship is going to endure, and you should also make a point of getting to know their family and friends when you visit them.

Posted in Dating by poppyspage | Add a Comment

6 Dec

Alerts to Watch for on Online Dating Sites

Online dating, just like dating in real life, has its advantages and pitfalls.  One of its biggest dangers is that people tend to be more open and trusting with people they don’t actually see. This is because without the strain and awkwardness of physical proximity and eye contact, people relax and let their guard down.  From the other person’s side, it is easier to lie to someone you cannot see and lead them along with some tall tale.  Here are some signs that should tell you to end an online dating relationship.

It is good to be on your guard against someone who gives away very little about themselves but presses you for information about your work, income, lifestyle etc. Also be wary of people who may try to sell you things, direct you to other paid sites or try to get free advice from you on medical or legal conditions and the like. Another red flag goes to those who bemoan a recent and catastrophic change in their financial situation and make you feel like reaching for your wallet.

Visit and read a reputable dating blog to get more information about the common pitfalls of online dating.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating, Online Dating Information by poppyspage | Add a Comment

3 Dec

Safety Tips for Great Online Dating

Online dating is rapidly becoming a popular way to meet someone and to start a relationship.  It is convenient and requires very little time to get started.  However, unless you are very careful with what and how much information you divulge, sometimes online dating can turn unpleasant.  Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your online dating experience is pleasant.

Guard all aspects of your identity until you are a 100% sure that the person you are corresponding with can be trusted with that information.  This includes protecting your name, your age, address, phone number, email ID(s), work or education details, photographs and any places that you frequent.  It is a good idea to create an anonymous email ID and use that on all the dating sites you visit.  Check your profile information very carefully and provide only the minimum details.  When creating an email ID or login name, do not select something very explicitly sexy or provocative.  While your intentions may be harmless, this can attract the attention of the wrong kind of person.

If you are trying this out for the first time, it is a good idea to get dating advice from someone mature and trustworthy before you get started.

Posted in Dating, Online Dating by poppyspage | Add a Comment