The author was once a very different, single man. Here, he shares his past dispatches from the front lines of the dating game.
Hey there. It’s Simms Jr. again. Let’s all face it. Dating in the 21st century is wacky. At best. And one of the biggest reasons/factors for the weirdness is the Internet. Internet dating sites are, in many cases, the most popular way to meet met people. The sites now pretty much have interaction down to a science. There are a few dating sites that allow you to search for EXACTLY the kind of person you want; a digital menu of sorts.
As someone who has used dating/social sites in my time, I think I’m capable of being able to guide anyone out there through the digital “wilderness” of Internet dating sites. What’s going to follow is a list of the more notable dating and social sites, and my honest opinion on them.
Plentyoffish.com: The site’s cheap blue background and crude layout hide a very important truth…POF is one of the biggest dating sites in the world. As a matter of fact, it’s easy access and navigation makes it very user friendly when it comes to searching/browsing for a possible new significant other or Friend With Benefits. It’s “menu” options are exceptional, and if you like to travel (or the dating options in your town suck), you can even browse in other states.
However, one of the big problems I’ve had with POF is the thing that makes it so cool. The accessibility. EVERYBODY is on Plentyoffish. Your friends, family members. Co-workers. It’s not a pay site (well…not fully), so the checks and balances to get on the site are pretty much nil. If you have a few shirtless pics (men), or pics in your “frisky” PJ’s (women), you may want to take them down. Because it’s possible your aunt and BOSS may have seen your nasty profile.
Tagged.com: Hood. A ghetto website if there ever was one. But…it’s FUN. It’s fun in the way that Black Planet used to be in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s used to be. The profiles are full of people throwing up gang signs, women half clothed, women and men high and drunk, and posting comments that would make Mark Zuckerberg stroke out. But, as I said earlier, it’s a refreshing website, due to its freedom. If you go to this site, join it, and look for companionship, you should know exactly what you are getting into with many of the members.
Which…can be a problem. While Big G who openly smokes weed on his profile may be really fun to hang out with, he may not be hubby material in the end. It’s the same for guys, too. Sexxxy Shelly may have an epic booty and the alcohol tolerance of a Hell’s Angel, but…you may not want to take her home to Mom. Tagged.com is a fun site. It’s like a digital bar. But, chances are you won’t meet the love of your life on the site.
Mocospace.com: The fifth circle of Hell. The worst, cracked-out, drunk tanked, website in history. I’m just gonna openly hate: STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE. You need a condom to BROWSE this site. You should go to the local clinic as soon as you log off Mocospace.com. Ugh. This is the site that people in prison join, and stay on throughout their bids. The more teeth you are missing, the better your chances are of joining Mocospace. Every abusive, drug using, bi-polar Maury Povich guest comes directly from Mocospace. The majority of women I know who have met men from Mocospace have SURVIVED these men. Take what I’m writing about this site as a Public Service Announcement.
There are way more sites than the ones I wrote about. But, these three are the biggest ones amongst people I know. Feel free, to browse and join any one of them. But, heed my words, too. The digital jungle can be a fascinating place to explore, but you have to watch out for the predators.
This article originally appeared at Examiner.com.
Photo –Don Hankins/Flickr Creative Commons