Why Date Online?

More and more people in the UK are turning to the internet to find a date. The advantages are perhaps obvious; it is easy, it widens your choice of partner and you can do it from the confort of you own living room.

Additionally if you are uneasy about approaching members of the opposite sex in traditional meeting places such as bars and clubs, or have had bad experiences with these types of dating then online dating can be a valuable alternative.

Whats more is it is now more socially acceptable than ever to date online and more and more singles are logging on to look for a date. In the same way the internet has now become a part of every day life so online dating is becoming the norm rather than a niche market.

But can it lead to success? Can you really find love online? The statistics are promising.

A recent study showed that some 94% of persons using online dating facilities who met their online date met again after the first date (source BBC). In fact it has been shown that couples who meet online are far more likely have a long term future together.

So give it a go. Who knows that gorgeous guy or girl that you may have been too shy to approach in person may just reply to your e-mail! If not what have you lost?

Find singles near you, love horoscopes and dating advice at:
FIND MATE NOW AND GET AFFILICATES: www.findmatenow.com

Speed dating for the older single

Speed dating may be quick but it takes a lot of energy, writes Anna Wise.
IT STARTED badly: 14 women and seven men. Even a novice could tell the numbers were wrong. A few women approached the organiser and offered to leave but I hung back. I knew that if I left now, I would never return to this bar perched on a plateau overlooking the Yarra.

This was no casual dinner. I was at my first experience of speed dating and I was nervous. It didn't help that the numbers were lopsided in the traditional too-many-females-to-males-ratio that bedevils dating for the baby boomer generation.

Stampede over, I was greeted by Brenda, a tall, spiky-haired veteran and self-appointed host. Within two sips of our complimentary glasses of wine we were swapping smiles and accounts of our few attempts to meet men. This was a normal bunch of women dressed to impress and I began to feel comfortable in their amiable and optimistic company. Brenda's experience showed, however, as she sidled away to nab a chair, from where she would have an opportunity to preen and pose from any number of angles.

The real business of the night began when we moved to tables, one woman per table, and began to chat for six minutes. A bell was rung to move men on. Each of us was required to note the number of each man and designate him friend or date. The next day, if both parties had indicated an interest, details were supplied.

My night began with Tombstone Teeth, who had extended the gap theme to produce artful bulges between the buttons of his maroon shirt. He was an engineer, with two mobile phones, one of which rang. The call took one minute. Five more to fill. I feigned interest in his job and the mobile phones, which we stared at carefully.

Then came Wonder Chin. I wondered where his chin was, maybe in the voluminous folds of his cardigan. He was South Efrican. I slipped into a nostalgic wrinkle in time since my first lover had been South Efrican. What was his favourite author, I asked. His blank stare drew me back to the present with a wince and sip of water.

Mr Charming seemed just that until we established that his daughter went to a school in the area in which I work. Surely not the parent of someone I teach? But alas, yes. What's worse, I knew his ex-wife and blurted out: "How could you have left her?"

At the end of the night, the organiser asked what could be done to enhance the experience. I suggested that the print should be in larger font for this age group (45-55) and enjoyed the laughs as I spun on my heel and into the night.

What I now know is that it is a good thing that there are few speed-dating events for the older single. It takes a huge amount of energy to flirt, feign interest in a stranger's job/ex-spouse/children/mobile phone, listen attentively, stay sober, suck one's stomach in, preen and pose, decipher the "date" card in the dark and maintain one's sense of humour.

Maybe that's why there are always more women than men: the multi-tasking element. And men are the scarce commodity after all. Speed dating presents an ideal opportunity for them to bask in the warm glow of undivided female attention: it's a type of boozy, soothing therapy. For six minutes, anyway.

Hilary Duff Dating Hockey Star Mike Comrie

Hilary Duff is reportedly dating U.S. hockey star Mike Comrie.

Hillary and Mike are said to have enjoyed a night out at Los Angeles restaurant Katsuya on Friday and apparently he went with her to Winnipeg, Canada on Saturday for the opening date of her new tour.

Hillary has had a couple of high profile relationships in the past.

So I suppose that the question is are they a couple or not guess we will have to wait and see because time will tell?