Has anyone actually had a successful relationship through online dating?

Hedylogos

Is it just easier for women to have success with online dating? I have tried it but it just hasn't worked so far or the women are a bit crazy lol. It is difficult to get even dates so far because we either talk for a while and she stops replying, i grow disinterested or just no replies.

ellay864

I did use some of the free dating sites with mixed success date wise, but also used an internet chat room and met my hubby on there. We had been chatting in the same chat room for several months, got chatting privately and then met up for lunch when we found out he worked near me. That was 11.5 years ago, and we're just coming up to our 4th wedding anniversary

indiepanda

I've been with my boyfriend that I met on a free dating site (OKCupid) for 21 months now.

I found eharmony to be a complete waste of time - after I paid up and found I was getting very few messages or replies to ones I sent, I discovered they have very few paid up members - lots of people set up profiles on their "free to view" weekends and then if you message them, they can't see your photo and would have to pay to reply, so they don't bother.

On OKCupid I got tons of messages, admittedly some were overly salacious or clear "cut and pastes" of a bland message sent to hundreds of women, but there were some more thoughtful ones among them.

I agree with the comments about not wasting too much time chatting before you meet up. I had some guys message me for weeks and when I eventually suggested meeting they came up with excuses which led me to suspect they were already in a relationship and just entertaining themselves while their other half was out. Anyway, whatever the excuse, I wasn't looking for a penfriend.

A lot of men seemed to want to talk about sex before meeting up... I think unless you've got some very specific tastes you need to check a potential mate shares, I would leave well alone and keep it on more neutral subjects. (Some men I met had similar issues with women they'd chatted to as well, but obviously I didn't have any direct experience of that!). I also found flattering messages about my looks a bit dull - I wanted someone who'd read my profile and seen something that interested them. I take it as read no one is going to message me if they look at my photo and think I look hideous.

I think it's a great way to meet people. I am too shy to have much success meeting men down the pub, and although on my rare trips to nightclubs I usually get chatted up, most men (not all) are looking for fun for the night, not a girlfriend at that kind of place. Online is much easier for me - I can make the first move as I don't have to worry about getting publicly knocked back by someone I fancy, and I can establish if there's some common interests before we meet up. If I found myself single again, I would definitely do it again.

I was just on holiday with another couple who met on match.com - they bonded over a shared interest in hiking which they highlighted on their online dating profiles. (we were away on a group hiking holiday). It's pretty common these days - most single people I know have at least dabbled with it.

gabriel1980

I met my girlfriend on POF, over 8 years now and still going strong. Met a few girls before her and at least got a shag so they kept me going before I met the right one.

BigAunty

My friends met on the Guardian's newspaper dating site, think it's called soulmate. Married and had children. Very compatible, very happy.

densol_2

I met my current boyfriend through internet dating. He is significantly younger than me and looks exactly like Lio De Caprio in Titanic. We have been together 20 months this month and devoted to each other I defo recommend ( although I did meet quite a few frogs before my Prince !! Lol )

heyjude2013

Signed up for POF on a Tuesday, got a message from a man on the Friday...he's the only date I went on and we're getting married next year!!

I did get quite a few messages from Frogs but they are easy to delete/ignore and you could meet someone you'd never have met otherwise and end up very happy 😃

Diamond_Orchid

Yep, we met on Match.com and have now been together around 8 years. Married, a 4 year old and another on the way.

We would never have met otherwise as lived about 90 minutes away from each other to start with.

toffee'n'tom

I went on POF after being encouraged by my daughter. Been single (through choice bringing up children) for 8 years. Chatted to a few people. Very easy to assess the idiots- been asked a few choice questions which I ignored - went on four dates. two of which were great. Still with one after two years. Now have a business together and it's totally changed my life. Years ago I would have scorned on line dating but you don't just bump into potential dates in a supermarket and what's the difference between meeting someone at a pub? Even my kids now have the tinder app and don't think twice about it - go for it. Just make sure you meet somewhere public. Good luck

System

Another one for you OP,

My best friend had been single for about 6 years, until i "encouraged" (read: sat with him and talked him though signing up!) him to try online dating. He got talking to a woman and 2 years on they have moved in together and have a lovely baby boy. He was very hesitant to try online dating as he'd been single so long, but he's very glad he gave it a try.