Ok! Let’s say the typical online dating services don’t pop your cork. You’re looking for something offbeat ... daring ... maybe even a little taboo. Well, there’s always the “alternative” dating sites. And I use the term “dating”, somewhat advisedly. For those of you who like your potential dating partners swathed in black leather studded vests and gaucho pants or form-fitting rubber jumpsuits replete with six-inch-heeled thigh-high boots and wearing dog collars then perhaps sites like Alt.com, Bondage.com, AdultFriendFinders.com, etc. will positively jettison your corks. What’s that you say? How could you possibly know about such things? Research ... it’s all in the research.
But seriously, online dating comes with one HUGE caveat. The phrase “big fat lie” comes to mind. In my experience, where I had the experience, I found that most everyone’s profile, my own included (to a lesser degree, of course), was a pack of self-serving, ego-boosting, often truly audacious lies. And it’s easy to do, and even, in a sort of twisted kind of logic, the thing TO DO if you hoped to meet someone ... anyone, you might actually be attracted to, and vice versa—sad, but true. And while I’m not George Clooney, I’m not chopped liver, either. I could go on ad nauseam about this subject, but the fact is the chances of you meeting the love of your life online are slim indeed and potentially dangerous.
Certainly, many of these sites claim any number of marriages as a result of meeting a partner online. But if one looks closely at the statistics, the figures are typically quite small compared to the number of people who are actually signed-up members of any given online dating service. So ... conclusion ... a big fat zero there, as well … at least for me.
So, back to the drawing board.
I’m past the age where I enjoy going to nightclubs or bars hoping to meet my “next great love.” I only attend clubs to watch live music or dance ... mostly Salsa if I can find it. Even when I was a nightly habitué of the club scene, wherever I lived, I never came close to meeting a woman I harbored thoughts of marrying, or even dating seriously. For purposes of engaging in the horizontal mambo ... yes (Told you I liked dancing). But dating with an eye to marriage or a long-lasting relationship? Nah! Hasn’t happened yet! And, I’m sure nothing has changed ... here in Memphis, or anywhere else in this country, for that matter. So, where does that leave the lovelorn?
