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Notebook
Romance
Love on the line
Once considered the domain of the desperate and dateless, online dating is now mainstream, sweeping thousands of people off their feet and on to their computers. Linda Peatling reports.
Four years ago Lisa Stewart went through a “horrific” break-up with her long-term boyfriend. At 33 she found herself single and disillusioned, not only with the modern dating scene but, dare we say it, with men in general. The thought of getting back on the dating treadmill left her feeling empty and mentally exhausted. “I’d go out with my girlfriends occasionally, but I just didn’t want to go through all the rubbish of meeting someone in a bar and then waiting for the call back and everything that goes with it,” she remembers.
It wasn’t long before the Victorian pharmaceutical sales manager found she wasn’t the only one who felt this way. A few of her girlfriends expressed their own frustrations with trying to meet Mr Right in crowded, noisy watering holes. This realisation left Lisa feeling even more despondent and wondering how she was ever going to meet someone through the traditional networks open to her.
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It was at this stage that one of Lisa’s workmates introduced her to the concept of online dating. “I’d heard of it before, but it still had quite a stigma attached to it, so I was curious but cautious,” Lisa remembers. Reassured by her friend that it would be “a bit of fun”, and spurred on by her own philosophical argument that she had nothing to lose, Lisa took the plunge and posted her photo, profile and list of likes and dislikes on one of Australia’s most popular dating sites, www.rsvp.com.au.
“I was surprised by how professional the site was. There was nothing sleazy about it and you could reveal as much or as little as you liked. Nobody could get your email address or phone number unless you gave it to them, so I felt very safe,” she recalls.
Over the next few weeks, online dating began to gain appeal for Lisa, particularly as the whole process could be conducted from the comfort of her own home. “It was great fun and quite exciting to see who was going to contact you. I could sit at home in my PJs and be in control, choosing who to reply to and who to maintain contact with.”
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Comment on this article...
|
 gardenspirit, at 10:18pm Mon 28th November, 2005 |
| My lovely man and I met through RSVP about 14 months ago, and we are getting married in April. Internet dating can be great - but be prepared for meeting some 'interesting' people along the way. I nearly gave up, but then though "one more go" - and there he was! GS |
| kezviola, at 3:26pm Tue 29th November, 2005 |
| I met my true love online in 1996. I don't think there were any dating sites then and they wouldn't have appealed to me anyway as I wasn't in the market for a man! I joined in an astrology forum and we gradually got to know each other from halfway around the world. We met when he decided to visit Aus from New York after about 6 months and knew we were meant for each other. We married in 1997 and have been happy every minute for the last almost 9 years! My tip would be to be totally honest. It's the very best way to meet someone 'from the inside out' without being swayed by appearances. |
| Sheridan123, at 5:03pm Fri 2nd December, 2005 |
| I met my husband online and we were married 14 months later in 2004. He had been through a nasty divorce and I had come out of a long term relationship and from the moment we met the attraction was instant. My girlfriends thought I was insane and one even called me a 'Loser' because I had met him online - but I knew it was love. Even his adult kids tell me they have never seen him happier. Me - I cannot believe my luck in meeting such a wonderful, kind, generous man that makes me happy every day of our lives together. |
| gardenspirit, at 7:33pm Sat 3rd December, 2005 |
| Sheridan - how sad that people said that to you! Some 'indicated' that I must have been desperate, but that's their problem I think. Now its interesting how many people are using it - I think it's seen as much more valid now - people realise its really hard to meet new people in our society.... |
| Sheridan123, at 9:03pm Tue 6th December, 2005 |
| I agree, GardenSpirit, meeting on-line is definitely the way to go these days. If my friends had done the same thing perhaps they would now be as happy as I am today. I laughed at your memo of the 28th Nov. you certainly do meet some "interesting" people and at times some very strange people and, of course, you do have to be careful. There are some very nice men out there on-line waiting to meet some nice ladies. I think you have to persevere and sift the wheat from the chaff - I, like you, nearly gave up, but something told me that Mr Right was out there somewhere and we eventually found each other. |
| tankgirl71, at 7:33pm Wed 12th July, 2006 |
| Reading all your stories inspires me and gives me hope, that my "best match" is out there still. I am a "defiantly hopeless romantic", and hate the pub scene - now i think I'll give internet dating another go. It's too soon to give up..... |
| wendebs, at 1:15pm Fri 18th May, 2007 |
| im 37 now..i met this man online last april,2005...and i never stop talking to him until today..we really got stuck to each other..he live in australia ..i live in the philippines...we still on our fantasies that someday we can see each other in person.....it make me excited evryday of my life knowing someone out there is thingking of me.....we have a new puppy for now..he give it to me as present....how i wish that someday i can share my love story to this magazine...... |
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