For centuries, it seems, singles have been looking for their match in bars. We’re not sure how the practice got started, except for the fact that alcohol can sometimes help people get over their fears of talking to someone they don’t know. But, past that, the idea that you can meet your true love in a bar is a huge myth; though it seems to be one that people still subscribe to.

In fact, in one study, just 9% of women and 2% of men reported ever finding a relationship in a bar. That pretty much says that it’s no better place to find a relationship than, say, going to church. In fact, going to church might be a better way, because you would, theoretically at least, immediately have your faith in common with someone you met at church. In a bar all you can count on having in common is alcohol.

Now, we’re not trying to discourage you from hitting happy hour Friday night with your friends after work. It’s a great way to relax, unwind and have some fun with your buddies. If you like to dance, going to a dance club is a great way to meet some new people or connect with your friends.

The important message here is to view going out to the bars and clubs for what it really is: a fun way to hang out with your friends. If you’re relying on the bar scene to help you meet your one true love, you’re likely to be very disappointed. And, to make matters worse, if you do make a match in a bar, it’s less likely to pan out than matches you make elsewhere because it’s typically based solely on looks and fueled by drinking.

So, look for some new ways to meet people. Take a class in something you’re interested in, like cooking, photography or a foreign language. Join a club or take up a sport. You’re more likely to meet someone you can really be compatible with – and you can save happy hour for your friends.

Dating Essentials Alcohol, Bars, Church, Hobbies, Singles

Being single is easy; dating is hard. Even with the emergence of online dating, it seems that more people than ever are single and staying that way. This creates the quandary of whether online dating is not as effective as it’s thought to be or if the daters are taking their real life behaviors and are bringing them online.

When you’re out at a bar, you tend to behave a certain way in order to attract those that you want to date or get to know better. If you haven’t been successful in this dating scene, however, you might find that your behaviors are actually more subtle than you think – and the other person just isn’t getting the hint.

To help with this problem, you decide to try online dating, thinking that it will help you overcome your shyness and your inability to talk to others. What you might want to realize is that online dating can still allow you to act the way that you did out in the ‘real’ world, so you’re still single and wondering why.

Dating experts believe that many singles are still single because they’re not taking risks or being as persistent as they need to be. With all of the information we’re bombarded with each day, those that we’re attracted to might not realize that we’re hitting on them. You need to be bold no matter where you are when you’re trying to attract a date.

When you’re online, you need to have a profile that’s fun and exciting and really talks about who you are and what makes you special. When you’re out in that bar, you need to create a way for people to notice you – even if it’s simply a bright color that you’re wearing.

Taking a risk to be noticed is the way to attract more dates than you ever thought possible. Try it.

Dating Essentials Alone, Bars, Fun, Loney, Shyness, Single

Dating online has never been easier. Not only are there numerous websites to choose from with various formats, but there are also a number of specialized online dating sites that range from religious backgrounds to tastes in wine. However, one thing still separates these websites from each other – whether you pay or not. And does that really make a difference?

Many people say that you do get what you pay for when it comes to online dating. Is it true that the more money you invest in your online dating experience, the more you tend to get in return, or that free dating sites are full of time wasters? If you think about it, the cost of paid online dating, usually around $20 to $30 per month, is really not that great when you compare it with what you would spend on other leisure and social activities such as bars and clubs.

Another thing to remember is that with pay sites, membership usually requires payment by credit card. This gives some added peace of mind that the person is who they say they are, though there’s no guarantee.

While there are a few excellent 100% free dating services, there are some which claim to offer a free service, but which are for all purposes in fact pay sites. After taking the time to fill in the details to become a member, you find that you have only limited access to the features of the site. For example some dating services will allow you to post your profile for free, but will not allow you to interact with other members until you pay a fee. Others will allow you to interact, but only through specific channels – email, for example as opposed to video cams.

If you’re new to the waters of online dating, the free websites can be a great way to get your feet wet. However, they can also be filled with people who just want to see what online dating is all about.

When you’re paying for a service, you tend to be more serious about actually meeting people and wanting to find a relationship. But if you’re short on money, free online dating sites do exist and you can use them to find your Mr. or Mrs. Right. But just as with finding any other dating website, be sure to read some reviews before you sign up. And never ever give out your personal information to anyone that asks.

Reviews Bars, Cost, Dating Websites, Free, Free vs. Pay Dating, Money, Online Safety, Pay, Time Wasters