Senior Dating & Sexuality Support Group

After several dis-enchanting experiences with online dating sites-I lost interest in them 2 years ago. Granted, I met some very interesting men, but there were too many risky characters and screening candidates was very time consuming.

Yes I agree it is time consuming...so dont expect a miracle. It is just one way to try and meet someone when the other options are not happening.

I have used several online dating sites and have made some good friends. Yes, you must chat a while and then I have found talking on the phone to also be very helpful. You should always meet in a public place and I have had good luck by following my instincts. I have found that the more flowery the messages the more deceitful the men seem to be. I never expect to find anything more than a friend and have made some very good friends and now a possible future serious relationship.

It's all about what you're looking for, and how you do it. . . there's a lot of 'bad' people out there, both male and female . . so don't believe everything you're told without some supporting information. . and go slow. . even good lairs slip up sooner or later. . . I found that profiles are often incomplete and pictures are not always recent. . but after a few months I met someone who was everything she said she was. . . . meeting each others families is often the best way to see what they are all about. . . that's what convinced me. . . I think that if they are willing to introduce you to them and their friends, they are probably serious about wanting a lasting relationship.

I so agree with all you said toolguy. I think lots of patrons on the date sites have personal issues.. and such is real life. But at least face to face you know who you can see who you are talking to!

I live in a small town. Opportunites to meet suitable men in my age group (71 in Jan.!) are slim to none. Have been widowed for almost 4 years, and had a wonderful 2+ yr. relationsip with someone I met on a free dating site. Although we broke up 6 months ago, due to misunderstandings and the fact that we live 3 hours' drive apart, we are now talking again and may eventually get back together. (We are both in short-term, going nowhere relationships, and realizing that we lost something precious.) My point is this: Internet dating can be lots of fun if proper security measures are followed. I have several guy friends that I met face to face only one time, but we still e-mail, and even chat by phone occasionally. Good to have friends of the opposite sex..While some of your comments are definitely "nail-on-the-head", and caution is the key, this is one way to get back into the dating scenario as slowly or as quickly as suits you.


Looking forward to "living" in my 8th decade!!

Jane in GA (glfngrl)

Ithink I have used nearly all the major sites at sometime or another. None advertises how many of each sex have signed up. But I suspect there are a lot more men than women. Eighty percent of the men say they are looking for slender women. If you are slender, make sure you say so in your profile. One nice looking, slender, blond, 50 something I know got over 200 responses in the first week. The best I have ever gotten was two or three.

I have had some relationships which have started on the web. I agree totally with Kate 52. Unfortunately, it seems chemestry plays a big role in who I choose as a long term partner. Most of those I have met have been very average and there have only been a few who really motivated me to develop a relationship. Unfortunately the feeling was not mutual. Finding a partner is at least partly a numbers game.

On line meeting is not perfect, but compared to the other options it is pretty decent.

Well thanks Crusty but I would never want 200 emails in one week. I have found weeks where there are numerous men interested and others where no one seems to be around. After having been on the dating site for a while now I know that many (most) who are interested are not for me. I do not want to met every man on the site. I gets frustrating but I guess if you want something bad enough (relationship) you keep trying. Trouble is the older I get the more I narrow down what I can compromise on.....geeeeez! I am hoping there is someone out there for me somewhere! Maybe not online...there's a thought... lol. Best to yall wishing for the same as me..

Crusty probably touched on the most easily misconstrued facet of Internet dating sites. The choices that most of the sites list for body type are vague and open to interpretation.
I always state that I am a size 10, but being 5'2", in today's modern Hollywood star/ fashion model idiocy, I would be considered almost "over-weight" to those who follow modern ideas of what a woman should look like. I do keep my pictures up-to-date.."buyers" beware!!

I would also say that I have found one site to consistently have more gentlemen who seem to be seriously seeking, and tend to be more honest and intelligent.

Good luck to all of us!!

Jane

Okay, ladies!
I am a man that has used various dating sites. Some have been
quite helpful, some have not. One of those that has been most
helpful is also a free registration site. I have been able to meet
several ladies through these sites, although not all transferred into
dates. Then again, I have heard various horror stories from the
ladies I have met through these sites. I would agree that there are
certainly shady characters using these sites. How does one know
whether they really are single and/or divorced? Anybody can say
anything.
Then again, there have been several ladies that have been quite
choosy with what they are looking for. Myself, being a widower,
have found many divorced ladies appear to be wary.
Some of this I simply don't have time for. My wife was ill for a
lengthy period before she passed away. I know I'm not ready to
throw in the towel as far as giving up on life, but at the same time
there are things I don't intend putting up with.
Just my thoughts & opinions.
Dennis