Online Dating vs. Speed Dating

Online dating and speed dating seem to be very popular nowadays, and there are even websites that are taking the two and bringing them together. Online dating has been around for quite some time, and there are more sites than ever willing to help you find your perfect match. The sites available range in between serious relationships, or casual encounters; so no matter what you are looking for in online dating, there is something for you.

Online dating compared to speed dating is much better for certain people as there is much more time to get to know someone when you are online. You can pick and choose who you communicate with, and who you share your information with. Online dating is more discreet as well, as you are not face to face with people as you would be in a speed dating scenario in real life. Online dating is also more exciting as you can take a while to get to know certain people and chat with them via instant messenger and video chat.

Speed dating also works for certain people. The way this works is usually a scheduled event and people show up and take turns meeting others. The timed dates usually are under 10 minutes and people who are interested in this form of dating should be prepared. It’s more of an interrogation in my honest opinion and it’s too fast to really learn anything substantial about another person. However, on the bright side, if you are a good judge of character, you may be able to tell if you would like to know more about a certain person or a couple of people and it can lead to another meeting.

Now what’s best for you is really up to your personal preference. If you are shy, or timid, I would suggest online dating vs. speed dating, only because you can take it slow and really take your time to open up. Behind the computer screen is a form of anonymity and people can usually be themselves more when they aren’t face to face. However, there is a downside to online dating as well; people could use this as a way to mislead others into believing they’re something that they’re not.

Whether you choose speed dating, online dating or the traditional way of meeting people, it’s best to be safe about it. Take your time, take it slow and be careful of who you meet. Speed dating is usually in a public place, which makes it safe for people to attend the gatherings, and online you can pick and choose who you converse with; so there is safety in both aspects. However, there are horror stories and stereotypes associated with both forms of dating as well.

If you are looking for that special someone, just do what works best for you. While online dating may work for me and others, speed dating may be more your “speed”. Do a little bit of research if you are new to all of this and choose whatever one interests you most. Also, there is the choice to try them both out and that could prove to work even better when trying to find that special someone.