This is the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie that started it all for me. Before this movie I didnt know how meeting someone online works… hell, i didnt know how email works. I did penpal things since I was 12 and did snail mail friendships with people from Europe, the US and South Korea… but this movie opened my eyes to friendships online.

Before the fear of stalkers, before the apprehension about pretenders, before I ever thought of putting myself out there and just meeting people, interacting… I watched this movie, and it got me where I’m most sensitive, my romantic bone.

Best Quotes from the Movie “You’ve Got Mail”

“I like to start my notes to you as if we’re already in the middle of a conversation.

I pretend that we’re the oldest and dearest friends– as opposed to what we actually are — people who don’t know each other’s names and met in a chat room where we both claimed we’d never been before.

‘What will NY152 say today’, I wonder. I turn on my computer, I wait impatiently as it boots up. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You’ve got mail….

I hear nothing, not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beat of my own heart. I have mail. From you…”

Meeting up after meeting online is a whole new adventure, but it has to start somewhere. Go find your adventure now, visit my dating sites page.

Being new to Online Dating can be scary. Some doubts that make people hesitate include being skeptical about the characters they will meet online, not being able to project a good image of themselves… or simply the fear of interaction. The first step to online dating is considering what your objectives are. Do you go to a dating site to a.) meet friends? b.) hook up (for sex)? or c.) simply hang out?

Once you got your objectives straight, you may now choose a dating site to join. Note that not all dating sites are the same and most will cater to different audiences. One other factor to consider is language. Seek out the dating sites that cater to people who speak your native language so that you’re more comfortable at the onset.

Here are some of my recommendations on how to deal with this whole online dating thing:

1. Strive to create a profile that will reflect your personality more than your looks.

Sure there are options to put in your exact height, body measurements, skin and eye color, ethnicity and such, but what you must focus on is your likes and dislikes, as this will be the basis of the other people who will want to meet you. The phrase “anything fun” is too general, while “nature and photography” is specific. You will also be asked to create a short tagline for your profile, and for this I suggest putting in your objectives for being there, i.e. to meet friends who are bi-lingual like me.

2. Take the tests

Usually, there is an option to take a personality test. Some of the best ones I have encountered are FastCupid’s (Smart Singles) and One Good Love’s (GLBT). These tests are designed to tell you more about yourself and how you will react to others. This is a good thing why? Self discovery will show you your strengths and weaknesses, and will serve as a guide on who to choose to chat with.

3. How to react to pushy individuals

There’s an unwritten rule to never be too specific about your personal info in online dating sites. For your protection, never give your phone number and address. The best way to put off the “let’s meet up, what’s your address” request is to simply say that you will be revealing it ’sometime’ when you’re more comfortable to do so. If your chat mate pushes too hard, close the chat window.

Final Reminders

Remember to have fun with it. Self expression and how people see you should be the least of your worries as long as you view the interaction in a positive way. Dating online is slightly different from offline dating, and trust as well as real love will sometimes take months or years to come. A long distance affair is not as difficult as it seems, as long as you keep your perspective and you’re enjoying it.

There comes a point in a person’s life when superficial traits (such as looks) become less and less important when seeking a life partner. Rather, one seeks a mate that can complement his/her personality and share his/her dreams for the longterm.

Onegoodlove.com is a gay dating and lesbian dating site that offers a completely different matching system compared to other dating sites I encountered in the past. For starters, the first step to joining includes a detailed personality test, wherein the user is required to honestly answer several questions designed to highlight a person’s strengths and weaknesses. After completion of this step, the user is matched with gay personals who share or complement his/her personality.

I reconnected with my bisexual side and took the test. Here’s my personality profile according to the test:

It is pretty accurate. :D Try it!

Love & romance is in the air and this blog might just melt into a mushy pulp before Valentine’s is through. But, don’t worry something hotter might just mix in with the romantic interlude as summer is coming up.

A Fine Romance is a free dating service that offers a friendly atmosphere where people can connect with each other over the internet. The idea is simple: find someone who matches your personality and you gain a friend, or even meet your soul mate. There are a lot of free dating sites but this one stands out because of its simple interface. When site navigation is a breeze, the interaction part becomes the main focus of the user.