February 17, 2010 Mary-Kate Roan

mkroan@connectstatesboro.com

1. How does online dating work?

    People post a profile, much like Facebook, and then look at the profiles of people they might want to date. They can search in a particular age range, by religion, location, wanting children, just about anything, so it is appealing to daters because they can rule out a lot of people they wouldn't be compatible with. People then send email greetings to those they're interested in.

3. What are the worst mistakes you can make in online dating?

    According to OKCupid, one site: Using bad grammar, spelling, text slang (ur, lol). Commenting on the potential date's physical appearance. Immediately suggesting a meeting or asking for/giving a cell number.

4. What questions should you be prepared to answer?

    Setting up a profile involves giving a great deal of personal information: your religion, body type, interests, whether you have/want kids, age, height, etc. You can always choose not to answer something.

5. Do you meet face-to-face right away or exchange e-mails to get to know each other first?

    There are safety concerns, especially for women, and the etiquette is to get to know each other first, then talk on the phone, then arrange a meeting in a public place, often in the daytime.

6. When you get a match, what's the best way to break the ice and introduce yourself to a potential date?

    Offer specifics about yourself and your interests, ask specific questions about the other person.

7. Are there any tips on how to make your profile stand out?

    There are people who make a living as profile consultants, and tons of tips listed on the dating sites. It is becoming a fine art for some daters, going as far as paying a professional photographer to take the the photos they post.

8. What are the best sites in your opinion?

    Everyone has their favorites. The largest is Match.com, and that is the one I usually use when conducting research. There are also many specific sites out there, for gay daters, Jewish singles, people who are ill, people looking for casual relationships or strictly sexual ones, etc.

9. When you finally do go on that date, what is the protocol?

    About the same as a blind date.

10. When you do meet face-to-face, are there any nonverbal signs to look for to see if he or she is into you?

    When someone is interested, they will make more eye contact, keep the date going rather than break it off early, and a reliable but subtle indicator is synchronizing movements. When we like someone, we lean forward when they lean forward, take a drink when they take a drink.

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