Does online dating work?
The simple answer is YES. More than 40 million Americans date online today with companies with MATCH or ELITE SINGLES. That’s a lot.
But is it that easy? Uh, no.
Years ago when I returned home from college and just before my days in law enforcement, I got a job selling for a company in Kansas City called Computer Date Match. It turned out to be a total scam. It didn’t really even use computers, other than to find single men buyers. I was trained to go to people’s homes, add up all the money they spent dating with no result and tell them their lives were a total ZERO. It was the old hard sell.
They had tons of us 20 somethings out selling. This was the 1970’s so people didn’t have home computers. So my company would get your money – like a grand – and send you a list of lonely ladies they’d found. None of which actually matched you up with anybody and that was about it.
I lasted about a month on this crazy job. The company didn’t last too long either. Today things are much different.
There are countless dating sites. The big ones are MATCH,ELITE SINGLES, OURTIME, ZOOSK – the list goes on. There are dating services that are defined by religion, age and income as well. According to the online stats, all the ones I named have 8 to 9 scores on how people like them.
That’s huge.
I’ve never personally been a member of any of these sites. However, I have tons of friends – both men and women – who are or have been. The most common complaint is, “She or he didn’t look like the photo online or that was sent to me.”
Also age is a big factor.
Believe it or not there is some lying going on there as well. People use their real photos but they might be several years older. So when you meet Cindy she’s put on a few extra pounds. Or Dave is not only chunky but his hair is kinda gone. On and on. However with 40 million people on the sites, some of them must be finding true love. Right? And the answer is yes, some do.
There are also phone apps like tinder – a site mostly for younger people looking more for sex and fun than a wife or husband. Get this; over 100 million use it monthly with ages starting at 13.
Most sites are age 25-50 with some specializing in 50 plus.
You get to look at tons of photos. Now the hard part. You have to contact the person, talk online or text for lord knows how long just to get a date. Remember there are many others hitting on the same person – especially if they’re halfway hot – and most of them are not!
Hey, I’ve had buddies do their first dates at my comedy club. So if it’s a no go they can end it fast in the crowd and not be seen much. From what I saw the gals were not usually bad just not too hot. One of my pals who did it was a very handsome 35 year old ex track star. He was just divorced and looking for Ms Right. He did score a beautiful 25 year old blonde. Turned out she was a porno chick from England. Yeah, a one night stand. Fun but no future. In the end my pal quit after a year and met his live in love in the shopping mall at a pizza joint. All by accident.
In the end I think we meet our mates more just by chance.
You know, the old fashioned way.
And this computer dating has sure hurt the nightclub biz. That used to be the main way for many people to meet others. Go to a bar, have some good conversation, wear your best clothes, show her your hot car and pad, boom the magic begins. That still happens, just not as often.
I’m sure many of you have good and bad stories on the computer dating lifestyle. Love to hear them.
All this is missing is a quote from our esteemed editor! You know, as a first person, primary research source!
finally…I knew we’d get glaze off his worse subjects of football and baseball
and back to where the tire meets the road…..hookers…strippers and hos.
And glaze where are yoursites you use…Ashley Madison and back page?
anyway…thank god no more baseball/football stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice article Glaze.
🙂
If I use this photo, I was a little younger, it was last year, would that be deceptive?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcM8cBAMP2A/Txid3fVSYKI/AAAAAAAABj0/Tu9yrW0vau4/s1600/george-clooney.jpg
CHUCK YOU HAVEN’T AGED OR CHANGED ONE BIT…SURE USE IT…THATS YOU BROTHER.
Glaze — you don’t have to be lonely….At FarmersOnly.com.
I’m not thank God the one area I’m full up on is girls…I’d trade for enough money to move to a beach..hah.
Every time someone mentions “online dating”, that damn “Farmers Only” jingle goes off in my head.
Glaze — Didn’t mean to imply you needed to use the dating site (the link is to a youtube video of the commercial).
Sorry for the confusion.
“I’ve never personally been a member of any of these sites. However, I have tons of friends – both men and women”
Suuuuure buddy. You are too good to do online dating. Suuuuure.
Congratulations, you found your missing blog post draft on online dating sites from 15 years ago and decided to post it today just in case some of your readers just got out of their 15 year coma and needed the info.
“Go to a bar, have some good conversation, wear your best clothes, show her your hot car and pad, boom the magic begins.”
well for cryin’ out loud… 25 damn years too late i finally learn the secret. all those nights at blayney’s, stanfords (before the comedy, thank you), harris house, kellys and others… all wasted. damn.
That profile pic looks like a man, baby.
just what glaze needs. see description of girl s life. A DUMP TRUCK DRIVER.
just imagine ….coming home to the sweet smell of week old trash….hands covered with every imaginable disease…..the breath of a dog…but most importantly
justthe type of girl glaze needs….one who you know where their at just by
their body odor.
glaze …..save some free chairs for us. Coming to test the dr. peper ribs. Probably the 28th….ac/dc is the 29th..can’t miss that show!
saw jim Norton is at midland…he’s a funny guy but didn’t you help him start out? And
the guy from snl and the truck from walmart is at voodoo lounge (which I hate)…
tracy morgan.
There’s a huge market for good comedy in kc. Hope you’re doing well….and business is good. look forward to some big shows.
Thanks H. Yes we have some good ones coming. Next week Chelsea co star for five years, Chris Franjola, he also hosted Sons of Anarchy and will be Handler’s co star in her new series on Netflix in February. Then, this will be a crazy one, Dante and Rebecca from all their comedy movies with Ron Jeremy, yes that Ron Jeremy. Valentine’s week has JJ Walker. People named him top 100 Pop icons ever. Colin Kane from ‘Wedding Ringer’ with Kevin Hart. So lots of comedy coming up for the rest of winter. Tonite is American Idol original Host with Ryan Seacrest, Brian Dunkleman’s last nite with us.
Yeah Jim Norton worked with us for years in Westport even at Hooters spot. We were the first with him and Tracy Morgan. Those were the days when comedy at a high level was new and Stanfords brought all the big names to KC before some were even heard of or had ever been here. That list is endless.
It seems just a few years ago. Its been over nearly a 40 year run. It sure goes by fast.