Bitter Betty and the online dating question

Dating in Web 3.0. Photo credit: Don Hankin/Flickr

I thought I was done with men. Between artists, businessmen and the Adonis who turned out to be gay I had pretty much thrown in the towel. But then one evening, while I should have been doing some work, I found myself browsing through a dating website.

I’ve never tried online dating before. A friend had told me about her experience and recommended a site. Without planning to I, in the most extreme form of procrastination I’ve ever indulged in, quickly wrote myself a glowing report and posted it along with my most flattering picture.

Then came the exciting part—seeing who added me to their ‘favourites’ and reading messages from potential suitors. I’ve been up there for a few days now and am relieved that a respectable number of gentlemen seem interested.

It’s an unusual experience. You can search for people who match the criteria you select (hot, not hot, kids, location) or you can just browse through profiles. It’s a bit like a social networking site—if you put someone on your favourites list they are notified and can check out your profile and favourite you back. So you can test the water before you take the plunge and email them directly.

I’ve received a few emails—mainly just short messages with ‘how you doin’-type openings. I’ve also received a couple of essays. One wrote me a long message telling me that he really enjoyed reading my profile. He then changed tack and said: “I pretty much decided to contact you on the strength of your photo.”

In the same tone but with a little more style I was sent this message: “Hello…and how lovely are you?! I was just browsing and you caught my eye.”

So far, I’m not exactly blown away. At the minute though I can’t reply to these messages properly because I haven’t signed up for a paid subscription. It’s free to join and browse (it sounds like shopping and it feels like shopping) but you can only communicate directly after you’ve become a paid up member.

There is a very attractive gentleman who has added me to his favourites and I would like to email him but I’m not sure if I’m ready to take the plunge. So now, dear readers, I am asking for your advice. Should I sign up to the website? Or should I buy myself the hot new shoes I have my eye on and rely on them to give my love life a kick up the ass? Answers on a postcard please (or a comment below).

Catch up with all of Betty’s observations on being Single in the Foreign City:
Bitter Betty goes speed dating
Bitter Betty and the Christmas conundrum
Bitter Betty and the ill-fated literary love
Bitter Betty and the perfect man