Do you think it is socially unacceptable to meet dates from the Internet?

Question

Is there some sort of stigma to do this?

Answer 1

My sister met her husband through the internet but they have made certain that very few people know!!!

As far as most of their family and friends are concerned, they met when she was "walking her dog in the park"...!

I respect their decision not to tell people how they really met but it is that kind of attitude that puts people off ~~ of course, I'd always remind anyone thinking of meeting someone off the internet to be careful of safety issues ~~ make sure someone knows you're meeting this person, where you are, don't give your address immediately etc... all the usual, sensible things

Answer 2

No I think its fine.  I am certainly not desperate but when I met a guy online and we hit it off we met up and we've been going out for two months now and we are crazy about each other.  Its not much different than meeting someone that you met anywhere else.

Answer 3

It used to be very unacceptable, because it smacked of desperation.  It is still dangerous, and should be done only with extreme caution.

However, a great many people have found love through internet dating websites.  I think this is becoming more acceptable.

Answer 4

"Socially unacceptable"?  You fear your clique dumping you if it becomes known?

It is, however, risky; people can -- and often do -- present themselves differently online than they actually are in person, sometimes unintentionally, and sometimes with intent to scam, defraud, or hurt you.  Even the unintentional ones carry risk: it's very easy to fill in the missing blanks with what you fantasize and hope for, only to find the reality is much uglier.

Answer 5

I don't care if it's unacceptable or not. That's how I meet dates anymore. Better than meeting them drunk in a bar. It's just like everything else, use a little common sense and you'll be ok.

Answer 6

NO - I am always reading oh how you must be a loser to do this and blah blah blah....

Ever heard of rural communties that there aren't very many people to meet?

I have met plenty of nice people on the internet, you must be cautious, yes, but that is true no matter where you date.

Answer 7

I think it cries desperation.

Answer 8

I certainly think there is a stigma associated with meeting dates from the Internet. I'm more concerned with personal safety, having never met the person before.

I know people who have met their spouses online and are very happy. Sometimes the unconventional works better than the conventional.

I don't necessarily think it's socially unacceptable though, it just may seem a bit weird to people who would never fathom dating online. But what does it matter, as long as you are comfortable and happy with it, it shouldn't matter to anyone else.

Hope I helped!

Answer 9

Yes of course I think it is socially unacceptable. This is because it is incredibly dangerous. I was completely naive and I agreed to hang out with a guy I met off the internet. (He had been asking for over a year.) He started stalking me and told me he was in love with me. He tried to ruin my life and called up girls I used to be friends with and hadn't talked to in yeras to get info. about me.

I learned the hard way. I felt bad for the guy and felt guilty for always turning  him down. So I gave in. He was another guy at my college so it didn't seem that creepy. Boy was I wrong! Just because the guy goes to your same school doesn't mean he can't be a sociopath!

Answer 10

No, but it IS dangerous!

Answer 11

Expectations are always greater than the real thing.

Answer 12

In todays busy lifestyle, there is nothing wrong with meeeting people from the internet,though you should probably meet in a public place.

Answer 13

As long as you meet in a public place and let friends and family know what you are doing (for security's sake), there is nothing wrong in it at all.

It's certainly no worse than going to a bar and meeting some stranger.

BUT, if you do meet someone from online, take good care to spend time getting to know them first and don't just assume everything they tell you about themselves is true!

Answer 14

Some people might think it's ridiculous or unacceptable, but i would imagine that most people are accepting of it. It's no different from answering a personals ad in the newspaper.

And, if you're looking to find dates on the internet, then that's not really an issue anyway; the only people you'll find looking for dates on the internet are people who consider it socially acceptable.

Answer 15

It isn't socially unacceptable,but can be dangerous if your not extremely careful. Don't tell them where you live and meet them in a public place only for the first month or so. Also meet them inside and leave without them. Tell them your friend is picking you up,but be careful. This sounds paranoid,but on the internet you might have a shark on the line that you think is a guppy!

Good luck!

Answer 16

No and it doesn't cry for desperation. it only means.. be careful.. it's ok to meet people from the internet.. but meet them in a neutral place in a cafe. with plenty of people there and at daytime on a weekend.... then nothing will happen.. Just be cautious.. there is nothing wrong with  internet dating.. but always meet the person in a place where there are a lot of others... one can talk to each other in a coffee shop.. you should meet that way for a while.. and if he really is trustworthy.  he will give you his address and his proper name and you can verify that.. there is a way to find people whose phone number is registered and if you know his first and last name and his address and phone number you can go to yellow pages ''find a person'' and type in the info.. if his phone is registered and his name is out there in the open then he seems to be telling the truth... at least you can tell someone where you are.. and someone else will know his address and his name.. so you reduce the danger but that is for if there should be the potential for more.. meaning if you both feel you want to meet again and pursue this slowly further.. and it might lead to a relationship.. x*x

Answer 17

just follow some safety rules and you should be ok, meet in a public place, do not give your home address,

go with someone else you trust.  make it a group event.  Never ever send anyone from the internet money.

Answer 18

I know a nice couple that met off a dating website and married. They're so happy together. It can happen, just be very, very careful of who you meet.