Have you ever tried giving a one-liner discussion of a concept to someone who knows absolutely nothing about it just because that idea wasn’t there when she was growing up? You should have heard me try to explain my job to prying oldies in my hometown who just want to snoop on what happened to the career of the student who pulverized their niece or daughter in a spelling bee two decades ago.

“So, Woobie, you say you work in this place called internet. That’s in what country again?” (eyebrows raised). “It’s not located in one country, madam, because it’s universal. Anyone from anywhere can go there to shop and to meet other people. They just need to use a computer.” (smiles brightly)

If I explained the internet using an analogy, I would have expounded on websites being akin to establishments and blogs to actual homes of real people. And where do people go for entertainment offline and online? The movies = video sites; the park = social networks for some wholesome family fun; and bars or clubs = dating sites for meeting like-minded people, for friendship and/or hooking up.

The next time I get accosted by internet-phobes, maybe I’ll explain the intricacies of online dating huh? Up to now, some peeps around here are still aghast when they learn that a newly wed couple met through the net, or when a girl reveals that her date with a penpal-boyfriend involved going online and chatting.

Play Dating Game Online

Not all dating sites are the same though. The common factor being they’re ‘free to join’, but the differences come later when your needs and agendas for signing up solidify. Paid member options should be looked into by free members, particularly the more careful ones. Do they protect your personal information enough? Do they offer support for easier site navigation and chat troll avoidance? Does buying a premium account mean you can actually call people (and vice versa) without real phone numbers being exposed?

I was pleasantly surprised though that not all sites with the keyword ‘dating’ on their domain name are actual chat places. An example is that of my sponsor, Dating Services, a relatively new dating advice site that has just been added in my list of ‘must-reads’. They review these chat sites for would-be members to know what the membership benefits before actually joining, but what I love most is the insightful articles on relationships. It’s like having someone tell you the pros and cons before you actually join.

Like in offline interactions, internet-based ones need not be complicated. In fact, the internet should be as commonplace as your locality. After all, It’s still just another venue for self expression, obtaining information, business and dating.

I just have to share my delight at this new dating site that I found: Friendsation! Besides availing of free online dating and free chat features, members can blog, rate photos, and develop buddy lists.

Not excited yet? Here’s a delicious idea: how exciting would it be if you can podcast a joke that you’ve been brewing for a week or a simple melody that you composed over the weekend to your online buddies? Friendsation is going to launch a new feature called “Friendsation Podcasts“. In fact, they’re conducting a poll right now to see how members will respond to this concept. I personally think it’s fabulous.

A free offline phone chat feature is available, and members can leave voice personals for others to hear when they are off the phone. Callers can also record a greeting for others to hear while they are live on the system. Members who are also on the system at that time can send messages to other members or request a conversation.

Having said that, I’m now wondering how some of my more intriguing online buddies sound over the phone or live chat (*evil grin*). How about you?

In my quest to help my friends (and others) achieve their optimum dating or connection skills, I ventured out to find chat sites that will serve as test grounds for their budding prowess. I stumbled upon Wireclub.com and got attracted by the site’s colors and the convenience of signing up. So I stayed awhile.

They have easy-to-navigate chat rooms, as expected, but I was pleasantly surprised to note that they also have forums and even blogging options. Yes, of course, I immediately created a blog *laughs*.

At the onset, they ask you to list your favorites (hobbies, food, activities, passions), race, age, overall appearance description (eye color, etc.) and even preferred fashion style. You also have the option to reveal the level of your sense of humor and spending habits, which means that someone browsing your profile may chat with you about something you share with that person without going through the hassle of the “getting-to-know-you” stage. Everything in your profile description page can be edited using menus (cleverly created multiple choices) so profile set up is a breeze.

Real life interaction is nice, but online chat may give you the chance to get to know someone who is not demographically available at this time. The trick to chatting is to keep it real, particularly if you want to maintain a long-term connection. It’s also easier to talk to someone over the net if you know that the person has made the effort to find a place where he/she can do just that. Chat rooms are where those like you who want to connect with others hang out.