Dating Tips | Dating Service.com » News & Views http://www.dating-service.com/blog Advice and Tips for Online Dating Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:35:40 +0000 en hourly 1 What You Didn’t See On The Oscars http://www.dating-service.com/blog/988/what-you-didnt-see-on-the-oscars/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/988/what-you-didnt-see-on-the-oscars/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:35:40 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=988

The Academy Awards have come and gone for another year, and as always the Oscars created all sorts of buzz and publicity. But what you might not realize is that the world of online dating had an important role to play in this year’s Oscar telecast. Well, okay, actually it’s more accurate to say that online dating didn’t play an important role in this year’s Oscar telecast.

It all has to do with the online dating site AshleyMadison.com and a commercial they wanted to run during the Oscar show. In case you haven’t heard of AshleyMadison.com, it is perhaps the most famous online dating services specially targeted at people who want to engage in extra-marital activities. It’s all about cheating. And this year for the first time ever AshleyMadison.com tried to run a television commercial during the Academy Awards television show.

The key word here is “tried”; the producers of the Oscars telecast turned down the ad as being inappropriate for Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. Why? Because it depicts infidelity and promotes AshleyMadison.com as a resource for those who want to engage in infidelity. Of course, the folks at AshleyMadison.com are quick to point out that Hollywood is hardly a place of virtue when it comes to monogamy and marital fidelity so it doesn’t make sense to them that their admittedly steamy but not vulgar ad has been declined.

What do you think? Is this a case of hypocrisy in action? Or is it an acceptable decision intended to keep the Academy Awards telecast appropriate for all ages to view?

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/988/what-you-didnt-see-on-the-oscars/feed/ 0 The Next Generation Of Online Dating http://www.dating-service.com/blog/981/the-next-generation-of-online-dating/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/981/the-next-generation-of-online-dating/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:47:04 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=981

Online dating has come a long way since the first real mainstream online dating site, Match.com, came on the scene in 1995. Over the last 15 years online dating has transformed from the perception of being the place where “losers” go to meet to the more modern and correct perception of being the place where singles of all kinds can connect with others. The change has been dramatic indeed, but that doesn’t mean the pace of change is slowing down at all.

Just the opposite, in fact. Online dating continues to transform and change, in some cases literally before our very eyes, as new technology and a new generation of tech-friendly singles comes of age. The tremendous growth of social networking web sites such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com has rapidly started to blur the lines between traditional online dating services and newer ways to connect and find interesting singles to date and get to know.

Many younger singles are shying away from traditional online dating sites and instead focusing their efforts on the social networking sites. Why? Because they feel social networking sites allow them to combine a number of activities all in one convenient place (staying connected with friends, sharing information, dating, etc.) rather than having to access a separate dating site for that activity alone.

What are the traditional online dating sites doing about this phenomenon? In most cases they are actively embracing the social networking aspects of online dating, offering specialty applications for both the social networking sites and mobile phone use as well. For example, Zoosk and Datepad are among the more popular facebook dating aps, though there are many others.

Look for this trend to continue into the future as more and more young people turn to technology and the internet as integral parts of their daily lives!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/981/the-next-generation-of-online-dating/feed/ 0 eHarmony Welcomes Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Singles http://www.dating-service.com/blog/976/eharmony-welcomes-gay-lesbian-and-bisexual-singles/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/976/eharmony-welcomes-gay-lesbian-and-bisexual-singles/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:50:45 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=976

Online dating for specialty groups of singles has exploded in recent years, especially for gay, lesbian, and bisexual singles. One of the biggest online dating services, eHarmony.com, however, was accused of discriminating against this group of singles and faced a series of lawsuits over their practices. These lawsuits were recently settled and now eHarmony is more openly welcoming gays, lesbians, and bisexual singles to their services.

The lawsuits alleged that eHarmony.com did not do enough to provide visible and appropriate dating services to this large and diverse group of singles, and in fact suggested eHarmony.com actively discriminated against gay, lesbian, and bisexual singles who attempted to join the eHarmony.com community. After a little over two years of negotiating, though, eHarmony.com has agreed to be more proactive about serving this audience of singles and also be more forthright about displaying and providing easy access to their gay, lesbian, and bisexual dating services.

So what does this really mean? The most readily apparent change is that eHarmony.com will make links to their gay, lesbian, and bisexual dating services more visible and accessible from the main eHarmony.com web site. For instance, on the eHarmony.com home page there are currently links to other specialty dating services for seniors, Christians, Hispanics, African Americans, etc.; under the terms of the lawsuit settlement the home page will now display an equally prominent link to specialty dating services for gay, lesbian, and bisexual singles.

This is a big win for singles of all types, as it means even the largest online dating sites cannot use their size and influence to discriminate against specialty groups of singles. Now everyone can expect to receive equal treatment and equally convenient access to the online dating services best suited to their needs.

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/976/eharmony-welcomes-gay-lesbian-and-bisexual-singles/feed/ 0 Matchmakers For Millionaires http://www.dating-service.com/blog/964/matchmakers-for-millionaires/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/964/matchmakers-for-millionaires/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:09:00 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=964

One of the things most singles dream about at some point is finding that perfect match and finding out he or she is a millionaire. Wouldn’t it be fun to date someone for whom money is no object? Someone who will “spoil” you and treat you to dating adventures and experiences others simply can’t match?

Just as there are online dating sites for all sorts of specialty groups and audiences, so too are there online dating sites that focus on meeting the online dating needs of millionaires. So what, exactly, does it take to get introduced to millionaires via some of these specialty online dating sites?

Keep in mind that these sites are selective about the singles (men and women) accepted into their programs. In most cases the millionaires are the ones paying hefty fees to join and the “regular” singles are the ones facing the most detailed and specific selection processes. If you aren’t a millionaire and are interested in being considered for matchmaking on one of these sites you’ll need to meet their often very exacting standards.

Some examples of typical requirements include:

Age – Anywhere from 20’s to 40’s in most cases, with some accepting older singles in select cases

Characteristics – Complainers, whiners, and gold-diggers need not apply! These types of sites are looking for single that are attractive, articulate, classy, and emotionally balanced and secure.

Occupation – Mostly looking for educated, professional types who have a steady employment background; this is important to many millionaires because they are not interested in dating someone who is after their money or has shown erratic behaviors in the past.

Here are a few of the better known Millionaire sites we’ve reviewed, though there are many others to choose from:

To combat the problem of fraudsters, the more established Millionaire sites have introduced certification procedures in which members are required to submit proof of their income and their “Net Worth”! At the very least, members should expect to have thier photos and identity verified.

In the end, if you choose to apply to one of the online dating sites catering to millionaires you should not be surprised if you are rejected. Most of these web sites only accept a very small percentage (often less than .5%) of people who are not millionaire clients. With that said, though, don’t let the overall odds scare you off. You’ll never know what could happen until you give it a try!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/964/matchmakers-for-millionaires/feed/ 0 Things To Do In A Snowstorm http://www.dating-service.com/blog/953/things-to-do-in-a-snowstorm/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/953/things-to-do-in-a-snowstorm/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:45:04 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=953

It’s a well known phenomenon that during the cold winter months, people tend to have sex more often; just take a look at the number of babies typically born in August, September, and October, and you’ll see how true this is. But what about all of those singles out there who aren’t involved in a relationship? What do they do when a raging snowstorm keeps them inside for days on end?

Turns out, they go online and join online dating sites. From Australia to the United Kingdom to the United States, online dating services report significant surges in website visitors and new members during the winter months. This has been especially true during the winter of 2009/2010 so far because it has been such a tremendously cold and wintry season.

For instance, in the UK there are reports from MySingleFriend.com and Singles365.com that their visitor tallies were up from 27% to as much as 55% during the recent plunge in temperatures and piles of snow. And it’s not just the snowbound in the UK turning to online dating sites, either; in the United States the adultery online website AshleyMadison.com reports it gained as many as 10,000 new members each day during the recent spate of snowstorms and frigid temperatures.

So the next time you’re trapped inside by cold temperatures, snow, ice, or the like, why not take a look at an online dating site? With all of those new members signing up you’re more likely than ever to find someone special online!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/953/things-to-do-in-a-snowstorm/feed/ 0 Beware The Bawdy Bankers http://www.dating-service.com/blog/948/beware-the-bawdy-bankers/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/948/beware-the-bawdy-bankers/#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:20:41 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=948

When you picture a banker in your mind, what does it look like? I see a person (man or woman) in a conservative suit, with a calm and disciplined demeanor, and a face that cries out “trust me with your money”. Okay, I know, that’s a stereotype, but you have to admit that most people involved in the banking industry tend to be more conservative, disciplined, and structured. And that’s a good thing, really, because after all you wouldn’t want somebody wild and crazy handling your financial stuff, right? (Those kinds of people are on Wall Street in the big financial firms, but that’s a topic for a different blog entry!)

Well, you can throw that stereotype of typical banking types out the window, because one of the leading web sites devoted to helping people arrange to have affairs (IllicitEncounters.com) is reporting a sharp spike in bankers and other financial workers joining the site in search of affairs. Why? The answers might not be all that surprising, when you think about it:

  1. To feel as if someone loves them
  2. Because their life at home has undergone a great deal of stress
  3. To boost their ego
  4. To enjoy the thrill of great sex without the burden of a relationship

I’d like to think that these kinds of bawdy bankers have enough smarts to go trolling for encounters at web sites set up just for those seeking affairs and the like, but I suspect that isn’t necessarily the case. There are probably plenty of them who opt for the more mainstream dating sites rather than the affair-specific sites.

So the next time you find yourself connecting with a single whose profession is listed as “banker”, be sure to exercise a bit of extra caution. You don’t want to get caught up in much more than you bargained for!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/948/beware-the-bawdy-bankers/feed/ 0 It’s The Most Lonely Time Of The Year http://www.dating-service.com/blog/944/most-lonely-time-of-year/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/944/most-lonely-time-of-year/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:22:03 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=944

Colorful lights. Tinsel and wrapping paper. Endless advertising showing happy couples sharing meaningful moments together. And of course, those sickeningly sweet, sappy, cheerful Christmas songs playing over and over and over again, everywhere you go. Yes, it’s Christmas once again, and for many singles it’s the most lonely time of the year.

If you find yourself feeling sad, lonely, or depressed during this “season of good cheer” the most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. The picture-perfect holidays featuring close knit families and large circles of vivacious friends are not real, but rather a deliberate creation of those who want to sell you something.

Instead of watching and listening to this kind of stuff over and over, why not take a different approach to this holiday season? You might:

  • Spend a day volunteering with Habitat for Humanity
  • Turn off the TV and the radio, and spend an evening reading a good book
  • Visit your local senior center or a nursing home to play cards, help with bingo, or simply listen to the wonderful stories most older folks love to share
  • Choose things to do that you want to do, not what others expect you to do
  • Take a walk outside to get some fresh air and get away from the holiday bustle

None of these ideas will get rid of loneliness completely, of course, but they are a great way to re-focus your mind onto activities and pursuits that get you away from the unrealistic expectations of Christmas. You just might find that once you turn your attention elsewhere, you start feeling a whole lot better!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/944/most-lonely-time-of-year/feed/ 0 Nearly Everything Can Be Outsourced http://www.dating-service.com/blog/941/nearly-everything-can-be-outsourced/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/941/nearly-everything-can-be-outsourced/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:15:19 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=941

One of the best things about modern technology is that it makes it so simple to outsource just about any and every part of your life. Don’t want to go to the grocery store? Go online and order your groceries to be delivered. Hate to spend time running those annoying errands to the cleaners, the pharmacy, the bank, and the like? No problem, just hire a virtual errand service to take care of all of those things for you.

Now you can even outsourced your dating activities. No, really, you can. Virtual Dating Assistants has been offering its services to men since the early part of 2009, and they have recently announced an expansion of services targeted at women. For just under $500 per month, anybody who is too busy to look for high quality dates via online dating sites can hire a set of professional virtual assistants to take care of this task for them.

No more spending hours writing the perfect custom messages to your potential matches, and no more worrying about whether your own profiles are up to date and well suited to attracting the kinds of singles you’re interested in meeting. With your own virtual dating assistants working on your behalf it’s easy to just sit back and let someone else do all of the work for you. The company even “guarantees” they’ll arrange at least 2 suitable dates per month for you.

It just goes to show that nearly everything can be outsourced, even your search for someone to date. What a wonderful world!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/941/nearly-everything-can-be-outsourced/feed/ 0 Online Dating Goes Mobile #2 http://www.dating-service.com/blog/915/online-dating-goes-mobile-2/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/915/online-dating-goes-mobile-2/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:54:02 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=915

Sometimes I think the whole world is possessed with smartphones, mobile browsing, and building thousands upon thousands of applications to make it easier to stay connected to just about anything via your mobile phone. It should come as no surprise, then, that online dating has “gone mobile” enthusiastically and deliberately. Mobile applications are the hottest ticket around and online dating sites are not about to be left behind.

Any online dating site that wants to compete in the marketplace absolutely must have a mobile “app” available for its users, and just about every major online dating service does indeed have one. SpeedDate, Skout, Radaroo, DateCheck, and Zoosk are a few examples of these rapidly growing and expanding types of services. Even the more mainstream dating sites like Match.com are getting in on the act, putting out apps designed to enhance the experience of their members.

But don’t for a moment think that these companies are doing all of this just to be nice; no, there is a huge amount of money to be made from mobile online dating. In 2007 the mobile dating market was valued at about $330 million, while in 2008 that number jumped to a whopping $550 million; the projection for 2013 is for the value to increase to approximately $1.3 billion. It’s no wonder, then, that online dating services are jumping headfirst into the mobile marketplace.

What does this mean for you? In general, the explosive growth of mobile online dating options works in your favor because it allows you even greater choice and access when it comes to dating. Where you need to be careful, though, is in the added costs. Some sites offer their mobile services for free, while others charge a fee; additionally, depending on your service plan you may get hit with big overage charges for the extra data usage you’ll rack up using these kinds of apps.

The best approach is to read the fine print on the service you’re interested in, check with your mobile phone company regarding your data usage plan, and then start taking advantage of the flexibility and fun of using online mobile dating apps!

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]]> http://www.dating-service.com/blog/915/online-dating-goes-mobile-2/feed/ 0 Online Dating Goes Mobile http://www.dating-service.com/blog/830/online-dating-goes-mobile/ http://www.dating-service.com/blog/830/online-dating-goes-mobile/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:12:09 +0000 Alison http://www.dating-service.com/blog/?p=830

Just about everything else on the internet is now accessible via your mobile phone, so why not online dating as well? It makes a lot of sense, really, because so many people now connect to the internet as much (or even more) using their mobile phone than using their laptop or desktop computer.

The latest online dating service to “go mobile” is Zoosk, which claims to be the “world’s largest social dating community”. They actually are offering two different applications, one that’s strictly for mobile phones and one that’s designed to bring the online dating experience directly onto your computer desktop. It’s easier than ever to always have Zoosk at your fingertips, right? Right!

But is this kind of approach really a good thing?

It’s already frustrating enough dealing with poor mobile phone etiquette, how much more annoying is it going to be to have lots more people focused on their online dating activities this way as well? Imagine sitting in a meeting where the person next to you is receiving updates, winks, virtual gifts, and the like, throughout; and you thought simple texting was bothersome!

And what happens when you’re out with one person on a date but you receive messages from another person at the same time? Imagine the raft of new excuses you’re going to need… “That was my mother calling”… “It was a wrong number”… “I’ll just call them back later”… these old tired excuses just might not cut it anymore?

This is all a bit ‘tongue in cheek’ of course, but the underlying issue is something to think about. If you want the latest in convenience and accessibility for online dating then by all means look for a service like Zoosk that offers a mobile application. If, however, you’re not quite ready to be THAT accessible, think carefully before allowing this kind of application to invade your mobile phone!

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