Finding true love through alternative dating

Posted on April 4, 2008
Filed Under Advice

With the number of adult singles aged between 30 and 34 tripling since 1970, more people than ever are turning to alternative dating methods in order to find their perfect partner. Singles bars are possibly the oldest alternative dating method, with the popularity of such bars growing as far back as the early 70s. Though perhaps not considered especially “alternative” in this day and age, singles bars remain popular due to the fact that anyone who goes to one is in the same boat as everyone else and, while it’s not the most subtle way to meet someone, it’s certainly straightforward.

Speed dating is another dating method that’s proved popular in recent years. Although speed dating only gives you a short time to make an impression, it can be a lot of fun. Since there’s only a few minutes to get to know someone before having to move on, so if anyone bores you to tears then it’s not long till they’ve gone. At the end participants in the speed dating session can either continue getting to know the person they clicked with most or, if they didn’t mean anyone that interested them, they can simply leave with no pressure on them.

One of the most popular methods for meeting that special someone, particularly among professional people, is by joining a dating agency. This dating method is somewhat safer than others due to all clients of the agency having to go through a filtering system. Many agencies utilise video dating, whereby the client makes a short video talking about themselves and their interests. Many people enjoy this dating method due to it taking the “legwork” out of dating i.e. you’ll already know what the person looks like and know some things about their personality before meeting them for the first time, helping people feel more comfortable and at ease with the situation.

Possibly the most popular, modern way to meet people is through online dating. Online dating websites sprang to prominence in the mid-late 90s and have since then become a multi-million dollar business. The reasons for its popularity are much the same as the reasons for the continued use of dating agencies. Online dating allows people to browse for potential partners when they have free time and can easily fit it around their schedule. There have also been innovations in online dating technology, namely virtual dating, where singles interact in a virtual venue that resembles a real life environment. For example, users can escape to a virtual world and perhaps enjoy a leisurely, sunlit stroll through a park in Paris or meet up at a Caribbean resort. Innovations such as this mean people literally never have to leave the comfort of their own home to date, adding to these sites’ popularity among busy professionals.