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How To Find Great Guys On Tinder (Top 5 Tinder Tips For Women)

January 8, 2019/in Dating /by Amy North

Finding great guys on Tinder is possible, and it’s not that hard… if you know what you’re doing!

Here are the top 6 proven Tinder tips for ladies looking for “Mr Right”…

Tinder Tips To Get The Perfect Guy

You’ll notice that these tips are about putting your best foot forward, being open, and engaging with the process.

Tinder can be tough so if you’re not up for it, that’s okay. Don’t get on Tinder just because it’s what everyone else is doing. You might miss your chance with a guy you would really like by not responding a message because you’re not taking it seriously. Tinder is for dating, not just swiping.

1. Pick your best photos

Tinder is based on appearance first and foremost so having great photos is the first step.

Include one photo that is a close-up, from the chest-up, one full-body photo and then a few photos of you travelling, doing activities or candid shots.

Make sure your face is fully visible in the close-up photo, ensure you aren’t wearing sunglasses or a hat.

All photos should be appropriate, so keep your clothes on. No excessive cleavage. Selfies are fine but make sure you look your best and that you’re not taking a photo in a dirty mirror.

Avoid including group shots. The idea that women look better when they are in a group is true, but if you force a guy to guess which one you are he’s going to swipe left.

2. Write a quality biography

Think of your bio as your dating cover letter. Why are you a great catch? It needs to be simple, short and fun. Aim for under 250 characters, and something that gives a guy a flavour of what you’re about and leaves him wanting to know more.

Think of it this way: he has no idea who you are. What do you want him to know?

There are many people that don’t bother with a bio. I think that’s a big missed opportunity.

This means he’s going to judge you on your appearance alone. This is your opportunity to show a great guy how fun, interesting and unique you really are.

Give him something he wouldn’t be able to know by looking at a photo.

Keep it focused. If you have many hobbies just include your top two or three. Your bio is the way to show off who you are without it coming across like you are bragging. There’s no need to include your recreational soccer, basketball, volleyball and sailing teams in your bio, but “Cavs fan, love to sail in the summer” is a great conversation starter.

RELATED: Prefer to meet guys IRL? Here are some tips to attract a man and make him want you

Perhaps of the 50 countries you have been to you can pick your favourite country and write a few words about it.

Be funny and charming without being cliche. Bios that read “I love to laugh,” is a waste of 15 characters. Everyone loves to laugh, not just you.

There is a line between funny and obnoxious.

For example, “I can’t believe I’m on Tinder” or “Don’t swipe right unless you’re over 6 feet tall”…

These one liners will make wonderful guys want to swipe left (even the tall ones). These jokes are funny between friends but can be off-putting to a guy looking at your profile for the first time.

You attract what you put out there, so ensure your bio is positive. Dating should be fun, and great guys won’t bother if your bio is negative.

3. Don’t get into a swiping frenzy

Take the time to look at all the photos a man includes in his profile and read his bio. You spend a lot of time creating a good profile and the worthwhile men out there do the same.

There’s no race to see how many matches you can make or how many messages you can stockpile. You will waste less time if you do your legwork at the beginning.

The photos are important, the app is based upon physical attraction right out of the gate, but take time to look at all his photos.

He may have a great photo at the start but two photos in might be a photo of him that’s a deal breaker.

The bio can tell you a lot about the person. Witty and original bios set a profile apart from ones that are cliche and full of spelling and grammatical errors. Maybe you wouldn’t have considered him from his profile photos, but his bio made you laugh.

4. Widen your age range

Many women have an age range they are comfortable dating but the whole point of Tinder is to meet different people than you do in every day life.

Widening the age range for potential matches by at least five years increases your chances of finding someone.

For example, if you are 30 and have a specified age range of 30 to 35, widen the range from 28 to 38. An extra five years of people makes a difference and depending on when their birthday falls you may have missed out on someone because your desired age range was too restrictive.

On the other hand, getting too liberal with the age range, for example, if you’re 35 and you specify an age range of 23 to 40, won’t be specific enough to what you are looking for. If you’re 35, you may not be able to relate to a typical 24-year-old.

5. Meet up within two weeks of messaging

Waiting weeks to meet up with someone will result in interest fading by one or both parties. You should get to know someone you have matched with before you meet them in person.

Chat over the app or through text message, and if you are interested, make plans to meet up within two weeks of your first conversation.

Chatting with men you meet on Tinder for longer than two weeks with no mention of making plans to meet up usually means it is not going to happen.

WARNING: Some people use Tinder as a distraction when they feel lonely and they may not be looking for a relationship. If there’s no intention from you or the other party to meet up, move on.

Signs a man is only talking to you because he’s bored:

He sends texts only at nighttime before he goes to bed
There is no consistency, he always texts you at random times
His messages are mainly flirtatious comments
He doesn’t ask you questions to get to know you better and he doesn’t open up and share about himself
He initiates the conversation but ghosts in the middle of it
He never has time to meet in person

The date doesn’t have to be long-drawn out or extravagant. It can be coffee for half an hour or a walk through your favorite park.

Depending on how close you live and or work to the guy, you could possibly meet for a lunch date during the work week.

6. Respond to the men who message you

It takes courage for anyone to put themselves out there and be the first person to message. If a man messages you, take the time to respond to him.

RELATED: Don’t know what to say? Here are some tips on messaging a guy you like

I know this sounds like a tedious task as some women can get 100 matches after being on the app for just a few hours. Of those 100 matches you may get 30 messages, which is a lot to manage, but scan the list again and pick the three you are most interested to further the conversation.

The message doesn’t have to be long, just a quick “Hello” or a “Sorry, I’m not interested” will suffice if you are not into him.

Give him a chance to show you his personality. Don’t be too hasty to cut him off after a one or two text message exchange.

In this day and age of online dating, many people need instant gratification or need to feel entertained immediately because if they don’t, they can move on to the other 99 messages in their inbox.

Give guys the opportunity to surprise you.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the number of people you match with or that message you, give yourself a limit of the number of guys you swipe right to each time you go on the app.

If you are on Tinder for half an hour each day maybe set a goal to only swipe right to 10 guys. If you have swiped right to 10 guys before the half hour is up, you’re finished for the day.

It is a numbers game, so the more you swipe right, the more matches you will have but limiting yourself may help you hold on to your sanity.

Research: People Who Meet Online Have More Staying Power

July 24, 2015/in News & Research /by Jessica Raymond

Despite the negative portrayals in movies like Catfish and the easy punchlines from comedians and friends alike, meeting your significant other online has become increasingly popular.

So popular, in fact, that one in three marriages that took place between 2005 and 2012 originated online. From dating sites to social media, from Craigslist ads to MMORPGs the online “sea” of potential mates is exponentially larger than anything you can find at work or a local bar.

And while meeting someone special online poses its risks and presents unique challenges, a 2013 study at the University of Chicago, has shown that couples who successfully make it to an offline relationship and, eventually, down the aisle, actually have a higher chance of staying together and report a higher overall satisfaction with their relationship.

Understanding the Online Dating Community

The main author of the 2013 study, John Cacioppo, generated his findings thanks to a Harris Interactive survey of 19,131 married people, 45 percent of which met initially online. The results revealed not only that online relationships had 1.6 percent fewer breakups, but also pointed to a specific demographic who use online dating services.

According to the survey, online couples were most likely to be in their 30s, have completed a higher education, and count themselves among the affluent. Race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation did not factor in. What this reveals is that young professionals with a busy work life tend to utilize the internet for dating. These people, prime candidates for meeting potential mates in bars or at work, have shifted their focus to a more accessible platform perhaps due, in part, to the success stories of other members of their peer groups.

Why Go Online?

Though Cacioppo’s study did not aim to answer the “whys” of online dating success, the statistics themselves reveal a few distinct possibilities. Among the most prominent demographics using online services (i.e., young, affluent professionals) the environment of peers looking for similar outcomes (i.e., marriage, not a hookup) statistically improves their chance of success.

The asynchronous nature of online communications such as email allow these busy 30-somethings the chance to fit dating into their life without the commitment required of official “dates” in the early stages. A more time-convenient getting to know you stage further helps them to sift through the potential partners to find the “right” one without wasting time.

Finally, though few of their services have been scientifically tested, the myriad of available dating service algorhythms meant to match people based on values rather than interests or chemistry sets these people up for success by its very nature.

Countless psychological and relationship studies have proven that shared values and core beliefs is far more important than initial attraction or even shared hobbies in the endurance of a relationship.

Tips for Winning the Online Dating Game

Despite its widespread success, online dating is by no means a sure thing. For every couple that successfully walks down the aisle after meeting online there are dozens of failed dates and online relationships that couldn’t endure due to distance. That’s why having your priorities straight and knowing what it is you really want out of a relationship once it invariably goes offline is so important.

It is also important to maintain perspective and take a “less is more” approach when it comes to reading profiles and responding to others’ ads. Many relationship and psychological professionals warn that it is easy to fall into a “grass is greener” mindset when reading through profiles, never settling for one person since there are always a dozen more that seem “better.”

Furthermore, reading the profiles of the “competition” also has a negative effect on some online daters who begin to worry that they don’t stack up against the competition. Like any relationship or dating scene, feeling confident and able to attract people will help you to actually do so.

Dating 101: Stop Selling Yourself Short

July 16, 2015/in Dating /by Derek Lamont

Putting yourself out there in the dating world is a lot like applying for jobs. You advertise your positive attributes in a résumé (this can be an online dating profile, for example, or choosing the most flattering clothes for a night out), express your interest in various prospects (responding to a potential date online or starting a conversation with someone interesting in person), go through an interview process, decide whether you are still interested, and hope, if you are, that they are also interested.

And just like the modern job search, modern dating involves a lot of anxiety and rejection. That can lead to discouragement and even depression.

Some people become so discouraged they either stop applying for jobs or stop putting themselves out there on the dating market. Even if you aren’t necessarily rejected, you can lose heart if you aren’t finding people you want to date.

Undervaluing Yourself Can Lead to Giving Up

What are some of the problems that contribute to giving up on dating?

A big one is undervaluing yourself, or selling yourself short. Time to stop doing that.

What, exactly, do I mean by selling yourself short?

Do I mean – to continue the job-hunting analogy – it’s time to start exaggerating on your résumé, as some people are tempted to do?

No, not at all. Lying on your résumé is never a good idea, as you will nearly always get caught out. The same holds true for your online dating profile, for example. I don’t think you should ever lie on it, whether about your age or anything else.

First of all, if you do end up dating someone after lying to them, they won’t appreciate it when they figure it out. Love is based on trust, and they’ll feel they can’t trust you after that.

But if you’re sixty, overweight and bald, does that mean you describe yourself as “sixty, overweight and bald” on your profile?

Well, you could do that – it would be a bold and honest statement. But I’m not really talking about this sort of “selling.”

So then, do I mean bragging about yourself? You might think I’m crazy, telling you to stop selling yourself short, and then you brag about all your accomplishments on the first date and the other person loses interest because they think you’re arrogant and narcissistic.

No, I don’t mean bragging about yourself, either. Excessive boasting on a first (or second, or third …) date can be a real buzz kill, and will drive people away from you. Braggarts are usually insecure, and are trying to convince themselves they’re great, not other people. Insecurity ain’t attractive.

In fact, it may seem a little paradoxical, but when I say stop selling yourself short, I’m not really talking about how you “sell” yourself to others. I am talking about how you sell yourself to … yourself.

If you’re discouraged by dating, it’s time to give yourself a pep talk. It’s time to change the things you say and think about yourself.

Have you ever heard yourself saying things, or thinking things like, “I’m never going to find anyone who loves me” or “Nobody is ever going to be interested in me”? Maybe you’ve expressed frustration: “Why do I only attract jerks?” or “What’s wrong with me?”

Trust me – nothing’s wrong with you, except perhaps you lack a bit of confidence and hope.

What can you do to change that?

Change Things — Start with a List

First, get a pencil and paper and make a list of all your positive qualities. Do this alone and tear up the paper when you’re done. This is just something you’re doing for yourself. Write down everything you think of that’s positive about you – a good sense of humor, a nice smile, patience, red hair, loyalty, curiosity, education, passion, ability to dance, good taste – anything you can think of, large or small, no matter how silly it might seem.

List as many things as you can. Remember, this list is just for you, and no one else is ever going to see it.

When you’re done, read over the list. Remind yourself of all the qualities you have going for you.

Repeat this process every day for a while, or once a week at least. It should only take a few minutes. But it will remind you that you are a good person, an attractive and interesting person, someone who will make a good partner in a relationship.

Next, Do Things, See Friends

Next, work on other things that will make you more interesting by making you happier and more self-confident. The best way to do this is to get out of your home and do things. Travel, either alone or with friends.

Seeing new places is good for your mind and gives you great stories to share with other people. Remember, travel doesn’t have to mean flying thousands of miles or crossing an ocean. Travel can mean a road trip, or a train ride to a nearby city to visit a museum.

Get out and spend time with friends and other people. Be social. Go to parties, or host a dinner party or backyard barbecue or cocktail party yourself. This will help remind you that you are a fun person who enjoys being with people and who has interesting things to say.

Learn something new – take a class at your local university or community center. Anything that interests you, whether cooking or painting or music appreciation or history. Join a book club.

Using your mind is good for you and is another way of reminding yourself, consciously and subconsciously, that you are an interesting person because you are interested in new things.

Make these sorts of helpful activities part of your regular lifestyle and they will show through in your happiness and the energy you give off to other people. That confidence in yourself is what will draw people to you and is what gives you a great chance of finding someone interesting and fun to date.

So stop selling yourself short – to yourself.

Reader Question: Should I Lie In My Online Dating Profile?

May 3, 2015/in Dating /by Derek Lamont

Hello LoveLearnings,
I’m a 41-year old, recently divorced man with two kids. A friend recommended a particular site to me and I’m new to this kind of thing. My question is do I have to tell the entire truth? I’m not sure everyone is being truthful anyway. Which lies are okay and which ones are not? Can I lie about my age and other stuff until I get to know someone better or vice versa? I also don’t want to seemingly destroy my chances right off the bat. LOL I look forward to your answer. Thank you!
Anton fr Bonham, TX, USA

Hello Anton,

On the face of it, this is a very easy question to answer. The answer is NO.

But it isn’t always so simple, you say. What, exactly, do you mean by lie? There are lies and there are lies, right?

Saying you’re 33 when you’re actually 41 – is that a lie? Yes. How serious a lie is it? That’s a good question.

When I was in college, one of my best friends saw his mother’s driver’s license and noticed it said she’d been born 10 years earlier than she’d always told him. Maybe it made her feel better to lie to her family and friends about her age, but it really upset my friend, her son. “I felt like I’d lost 10 years of my mother’s life in one day,” he told me.

Now, that’s not a dating story, but it’s a good illustration of how even a seemingly unimportant lie can hurt other people in ways you might not foresee.

Here’s my question for you. Why would you want to lie in your online dating profile?

Why People Lie in Online Profiles

Here is what people usually tell me.

I don’t feel confident that I can attract a person unless I lie about my age, or my weight, or whatever.

I understand this feeling – really, I do. All of us feel a bit insecure about ourselves in one way or another. Some people really struggle with insecurity. We feel too old or too fat or too ugly or too bald or too skinny or too poor to possibly be interesting and attractive to another human being.

This can be a crippling problem. And so it is tempting to shave off a few years, or a few pounds, in that online dating profile. Or to put up a picture taken five years back when you didn’t show quite as much scalp through your comb over, or before you added those five or ten extra pounds.

Who Exactly Are You Lying to?

But think about what you are doing. Not only are you lying to the people looking at your profile, but you are also lying to yourself. You are telling yourself the negative message – I am not good enough the way I am.

So you feel insecure. That’s a common feeling.

But instead of courageously telling the truth about yourself, and creating the opportunity to discover that someone might really like you just the way you are, you lie and this reinforces your insecurity. When people respond to your profile, they’re responding to a lie.

And you know it, consciously or subconsciously. Somewhere in your mind that negative message is playing – I wasn’t good enough and had to lie, and that’s the only way I will ever find love.

That is not building a strong foundation for a relationship with another human being. Entering a relationship where you feel unworthy, so unworthy that you had to lie to get into it, well, that’s not likely to turn out well.

Not only is there a good chance your future partner will someday find out about the lie and be disappointed in you, but there’s also a good chance you won’t be very successful as a partner in the relationship. People who feel they are unworthy don’t stand up for themselves. They don’t ask for what they need, or fight for what they deserve. To build a strong relationship that will endure, you need two adults who ask for what they need and work their problems out together.

Seeking Love Is a Leap of Faith

If you don’t have faith in yourself, faith that you are worth being loved just the way you are, you are setting the stage for a very unhappy and unhealthy drama further down the road.

Now, I know there is a certain amount of deception involved in dating and finding a partner. People choose the best or most flattering clothes. They wear makeup and boast about their achievements. Is that lying, too? Is putting on lipstick a lie?

Obviously, there’s a spectrum here, with putting on lipstick or sexy clothes at one end and lying about your height or weight or criminal record or whatever at the other.

Somewhere along that spectrum is a line you don’t want to cross. You will have to decide exactly where to draw that line yourself. All of us have certain things about ourselves we’d prefer to hide or not reveal. But by trusting yourself and telling the truth, you may get a very happy surprise.

Years ago I talked with a man who had a criminal record. His previous wife had divorced him and, after many years, he felt he was ready to start dating again. But he was troubled about his criminal past. His fearful side told him to hide it. But in the end he decided, quite courageously, to tell all the women he dated about it, on the first date. He was one of the bravest people I ever met.

Some of the women he told walked out and he never saw them again. I can’t imagine how terrible that made him feel.

But one of them stayed. They got to know each other and now they are happily married. This man found out that, although he was afraid of being unworthy of love, it wasn’t at all true. He found someone special who really loved him as he was.

And he can enjoy being happily married to this person without ever worrying what will happen if she finds out about what he lied about, since he didn’t lie about anything.

So there’s no need to lie in your online profile. Be who you are and have faith that there is someone out there for you, Anton … Someone who will love you for who you are.

Where To Meet Single Women Outside of Bars and Clubs

February 26, 2015/in Dating /by Mark Belmont

Where do you go to meet quality single women? That’s an age-old question. If you’re tired of the depressing, dehumanizing bar and club scene after trying it, or if you’re lucky enough to know it’s not for you even without trying it, that still leaves you in a quandary.

Where are all the single women you want to meet, and who want to meet you?

The singles who hang out in bars and clubs are usually there because they are too unimaginative to think of a better place to go, or because they’re a bit too lazy to try something different. The last time I went to a bar with a group of single friends it was a depressing experience.

We stood and sat around talking and watching the various barflies on their stools, and then there was a fight between a couple of drunks over the pool table, at which point we left. That was years ago, and it was enough for me.

What Do You Want in a Single Woman?

So what kind of single women do you want to meet? That’s the question you should be asking yourself. When you ask it and answer it honestly (that’s not always easy), then you will be able to figure out where to find them.

If you’re looking for smart, happy, fun, interesting, healthy, fit women, then you need to go to where they hang out. One good place is a gym or fitness club.

But if you go there and just hang out in the weight room pumping iron with your earphones in, cutting yourself off from all interaction with other human beings, you’re just wasting your time.

(Let me take this moment to say that one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of meeting other people is to ditch the headphones altogether. They send a message that you aren’t interested in anyone but yourself, and that’s a turn off).

So, go to the gym and join a fitness class. There are all sorts of classes, from spinning and hip-hop dance to boxing and cardio.

The women you meet at a gym are far more likely to be healthy and health-conscious than the ones you pick up in a bar. They are lively and fun to be around. And you may lose a few pounds along the way.

Interact Socially in Classes, Etc.

If the gym isn’t your scene, then try taking some classes at your local community college. Sign up for whatever interests you. Many big universities now have special programs for working people to study at night.

Find one of their online catalogs and just browse through it. You’re likely to find classes on everything from poetry to mathematics to art and science and engineering, everything you can imagine, even subjects you never heard of.

Just by using and engaging your mind, you will make yourself a more interesting and attractive person, and you will also meet single women who are thoughtful and curious and like to study and learn, too.

Your local YMCA or community centre is another place to check out. Such places often have clubs that play chess or learn particular types of dancing or classes in foreign languages. Pick something you’ve always wanted to try, or something you think would be an adventure.

Once again, you’ll be doing yourself a double service – on the one hand you’ll be making yourself more fun and interesting, and at the same time you’ll be meeting all sorts of people and getting to know them.

Outdoor Options Work, Too

If you love the outdoors, join a hiking group like the Sierra Club. Camping and hiking trips are wonderful adventures and they also give you a chance to really get to know other people pretty well.

At the end of a two-week mountain backpacking trip, you will know the others in your group very well – trust me!

Sailing clubs and other outdoor type clubs are also fantastic places to meet fun, single women. They are there because they like being outdoors, enjoying life. That’s a good thing in a potential partner.

Then There’s Dancing and Cooking (Not at the Same Time)

If the outdoors doesn’t appeal to you, try something like a cooking class. Community centres sometimes offer them, but these days so do many restaurants. One of the best things about cooking classes is that you often work with a partner or several other people in a group, which gives you a chance to get to know each other.

And you may gain a few pounds along the way.

Many dancing classes or clubs – think salsa or ballroom or square dancing – have a perennial shortage of men. Join one of them and you will not only have fun and get exercise, but you will also give yourself a statistically higher chance of meeting women, since there’s less competition there.

Every one of these activities, by itself, makes you a more interesting and fun person, whether or not you meet a single single woman. That fact makes all of them automatically better than going to a pick up bar, which doesn’t improve you in any way.

After you take a French cooking class, or learn to sail, you will be more fun and attractive to others, even if you haven’t met them yet.

That’s a good gift to give yourself.

3 Dating Online Safety Tips for Women

August 2, 2014/in Dating /by Jessica Raymond

A recent study confirmed that a staggering 33 percent of couples who married in 2013 first met online.

That’s compared to 25 percent who met through work, less than 20 percent who met through friends, and fewer than 10 percent who met randomly (i.e., at a nightclub).

As we showed in this article, couples who meet online tend to marry much sooner than those who meet offline, and online dating does offer several key benefits to singles.

It’s no wonder that many people now turn to online dating. But, like everything else, there is also a downside to it … and for women, the costs of being careless in the world of internet dating can be severe.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe when dating men that you’ve met online.

Read the Disclaimer

Very few dating websites perform background investigations prior to accepting your membership. While this may be convenient and hassle-free, it also allows anyone — including sociopathic and abusive men — to join without having to be pre-screened.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can to do minimize the risks and ensure you don’t end up going on a date with someone who has malicious intentions.

1. Avoid Giving Out Personal Information

Don’t give out your date of birth, address, phone number, etc., before you have established a level of trust and rapport in person. On the other hand, it is generally safe to reveal your age, sexual preference, likes/dislikes, zodiac sign, etc. … there’s plenty you can disclose without worrying about safety.

You can tell them the nature of your work, but not where you work. Similarly, it’s usually OK to give a general idea of where you live (i.e., “I’m from Queens, New York”) but not anything more specific than that.

If in doubt about whether or not it’s safe to disclose something, err on the side of caution and keep it private until you’re confident that it’s safe.

2. If It’s Too Good to Be True …

This is not to discourage you in any way, because you very well may meet “Mr Perfect” on a dating website … but beware of the charmer who knows just what to say and appears to be a certified “ladies man” who claims to be a 6’3″ rocket scientist with chiseled abs and a new BMW.

You can play detective (Google their name and check out their profiles on social media), and ask some questions to gauge their integrity and honesty. See if their answers are consistent, and if any red flags pop up during online chats or email/phone conversations.

Do a reverse search of his profile picture, checking to make sure it matches his social media profiles. Look to see how many friends he has on social media accounts. Don’t go overboard and hire a private investigator to follow him around, but use Google to do some simple and subtle sleuthing.

3. Let Your Friends In On It

You know you’re smart enough to meet in a public place and carry mace in your purse … but, nonetheless, it’s always best to let your friends or relatives know who you’re meeting along with details of when and where. On first dates, beware of last-minute location changes, especially if he wants to go somewhere more private.

It never hurts to text or have a friend call you in the middle of the date, either. It can give you a way out if things are going poorly, and allows you to check in with a friend to let him or her know you’re OK.

It Isn’t Difficult To Stay Safe

The tips in this article are easy to implement and will help you stay safe in the world of online dating … so, what’s your excuse? Online dating may be the easiest and quickest way to meet the man of your dreams, so don’t avoid it because of the safety concerns — just use prudence and follow the simple advice in this article, and you’ll be fine!

10 Weird Niche Dating Websites

September 17, 2013/in Just For Fun /by Jessica Raymond

Think ChristianMingle and JDate are exclusive? Think again.

My mother always said that there’s a lid for every pot, and apparently the makers of these weird and bizarre dating websites say the same thing.

So without further ado, here are 10 totally weird dating websites:

1. Meet-An-Inmate.com — Want to meet a convict? Well, have no fear, because this really cool dating site is here! This is a online dating website that helps criminals meet. The site gives you an option of meeting a “lady inmate” or “male inmate.” What’s even funnier is their little disclaimer:

“Even though these men and women are in prison, it doesn’t mean that they are bad individuals. The majority of these inmates are loving, clever, reliable, sexy and very passionate. They enjoy sports, music, arts, etc., just as you do. However, they are convicted felons and caution should be used.”

2. RightStuffDating.com — On the completely other side of the spectrum, here’s a dating website only for smart people. You need to be a graduate from a group of “excellent” universities or colleges.

3. FarmersOnly.com — Finally! A place where farmers can meet! I am sick of all of these single farmers. Farmers deserve soulmates too!

4. TrekPassions.com — Okay, this one is a weird website, but I get it. Geeks who are in love with Star Trek (and things like Star Trek) also need human companionship. So here’s a website targeting Trekkies.

5. Cupidtino.com — This one has got to be a joke (but apparently it isn’t). This is a website dedicated to daters who love Apple products. Judging by how much Apple fans love Apple products, I can tell these relationships might be doomed from the get go because of interactions like this:

Kelly: *Types furiously on iPad*

George: *Plays Angry Birds*

6. 420Dating.com — This free online dating website is for people who love smoking marijuana. I don’t think there’s all that much more to say about that.

7. TheUglyBugBall.com — If you’re unattractive, have no fear! There’s a website dedicated to people who aren’t all that physically attractive. While this website may seem demeaning, they claim to have helped thousands of couples find love with each other. I think this one is awesome.

8. DarwinDating.com — On the complete other side of the spectrum –DarwinDating is only for people who have been blessed with great genetics, hence the allusion to Darwin. What you won’t find is ugly people on here, but what you will find are people who think they’re good looking. I’m not sure that’s the greatest thing in the world.
(OUT OF BUSINESS AS OF AUG 2018)

9. PositiveSingles.com — This is actually one of the few weird dating websites that I actually admire. It’s a website dedicated to singles who have a STI (sexually transmitted infection). This is something that people don’t like broadcasting to the world and it can make dating very awkward. But if you open right out of the gates that you do have an STI, then things become a whole lot easier.

10. SugarDaddie.com — And last but not least, we have SugarDaddie.com. A website for very rich men and gold digging partners. Can you explain to me why these guys don’t just get prostitutes?

Online Predators Are A Different Breed Of Sex Offender

September 11, 2013/in News & Research /by Derek Lamont

A new controversial report from the University of New Hampshire says that online predators are a distinctly dangerous variety of sex offender, requiring special programs to help shield vulnerable youths.

Cell Phones and the Internet

UNH Crimes against Children Research Center says that this new breed of sex offende is relying heavily on digital avenues to communicate with their prey. These sex offenders often times use cell phones and the internet to help lure these teens (often times females) into sexual relationships.

How can we stop online sex predators?

“These are all serious crimes,” said author Janis Wolak, senior researcher at UNH. “But the so-called ‘online predators’ are more insidious.”

The study took 143 cases where sex offenders met with underage victims, where 139 of those victims knew the sex offender in an offline setting (like in schools, churches, etc.).

Almost all of the cases involved sexual activity with the underage victims, and in some cases, statutory rape.

In almost all the cases, the internet was involved. In some of these cases, the sex offenders were able to solicit pictures from their victims.

So what does Wolak propose to combat these startling findings?

A Need to Emphasize Dangers Online

“We should start emphasizing the dangers of online strangers,” says Wolak. “We should start teaching children and adolescents to understand and resist sexual advances from adults, whether met online or in-person and whether made through online communications or in-person. That would do more to protect young people.”

Source: University of New Hampshire

From SelfiesTo Crazy Tweets: Why Are People ‘Oversharing’ Online?

September 5, 2013/in News & Research /by Jessica Raymond

Why are youths not concerned about privacy?

The University of Chicago is saying that the increased amount of digital communication is causing people to “overshare” online.

There’s no shortage out there of overly dramatic teens sharing sexy photos of themselves on Facebook. Or distraught males crying out for attention on Twitter. So what gives?

“Sharing itself is not new, but consumers now have unlimited opportunities to share their thoughts, opinions, and photos, or otherwise promote themselves and their self-image online,” says author Russell W. Belk. “Digital devices help us share more, and more broadly, then ever before.”

Blame It on Websites

A photograph known as “The Selfie”

Websites today are encouraging people to share more and more. YouTube channels encourage people to tell stories about their life on camera. Facebook is all about sharing photos of families and friends. Twitter gives people a chance to tell the world their thoughts in a split of a second.

In fact, sharing has become a staple in the world of smartphones. Anything you find online – YouTube videos, photos, etc., can be shared with thousands of people with a click of a few buttons.

The Dark Side of Sharing

Of course, sharing can hurt as much as it helps. Professional athletes’ careers can alter dramatically with an ill-placed tweet. Paul Bissonette, an NHL hockey player, was forced to shut down his Twitter account for posting inflammatory comments towards another player.

Controversy can affect an individual in a number of ways: Posting pictures of oneself nude or in a controversial position can affect a person’s ability to get a job, a promotion, and can even ruin relationships.

“Due to an online disinhibition effect and a tendency to confess to far more shortcomings and errors than they would divulge face-to-face, consumers seem to disclose more and may wind up ‘oversharing’ through the digital media to their eventual regret,” Belk says.

So what do you think about this problem of “oversharing?”

Should teens be taught by their parents to “keep it in their pants” so to speak? What does this tell us about our culture?

Source: Journal of Consumer Research

Reader Question: Which Online Dating Websites Are Best?

August 29, 2013/in Dating /by Mark Belmont

Maninder S. submitted the following question via the LoveLearnings Facebook page…

[blockquote source=”Maninder S.”]”Hi, I want to sign up for an online dating website to find a girlfriend because I don’t meet many women at work or anywhere else, so which one is the best for finding a girlfriend? I am from Toronto Canada and I am straight and aged 29. Thank you!!!”

Hi Maninder, thanks for the question. And it’s actually a great question, so hopefully my answer will help out some of our other readers, too.

First of all, it’s important to understand that every dating website offers certain advantages and certain disadvantages. There will be some websites that simply aren’t going to work for you, and others that will fit your needs perfectly.

Make Sure There Are Local Members

To begin with, you said that you’re from Toronto, so you will obviously have to choose a dating site that has members in your local area.

That shouldn’t be a problem, and most major internet dating sites will include the US / Canada / Western Europe, but it’s always important to double-check that there are members in your area.

What Are Your Interests?

Secondly, you should identify any special interests or unique requirements that you have. For example, there are a number of Christian dating websites (such as ChristianCafe.com, based in Toronto) that cater to Christians.

If meeting a devout Christian girl is a top priority for you, then definitely sign up for a Christian-focused website! Similarly, if you have another niche requirement (i.e., you want to find a fellow divorcee, a single parent, someone of the same ethnic background, etc.), then look for a site that focuses on that group.

Keep in mind that while most sites aim to pair off singles seeking a romantic relationship, there are some “dating” websites that actually aim more at finding friends (i.e., Badoo) or landing a one-night stand (i.e., Ashley Madison).

If you’re like most people, and you don’t have any special “requirements” in your potential partner, then there are a ton of options. Some of the most popular dating websites include PlentyofFish.com, Match.com and eHarmony.com.

Choosing a “big” website with lots of members usually improves the chances of there being numerous eligible singles in your area.

Some websites, such as eHarmony, claim to use special “scientific matchmaking algorithms” to pair you off with compatible people. While this sounds great in theory, it doesn’t translate into any meaningful benefits, as we found in the online dating research study we conducted a few months ago.

What matchmaking algorithms do succeed at, however, is filtering out casual users. Having to fill out a huge survey before you can begin chatting with other members tends to discourage those people who aren’t committed to finding romance online.

So if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, then a website that requires lots of work when signing up may improve the odds of finding someone who is equally serious about finding a serious relationship.

Then There Are Fees

Dating sites that require you to pay a fee also tend to have a more serious and committed user base, so a site like eHarmony may be a good option for those looking to find a lifelong partner rather than just land a date.

If you aren’t sure whether online dating is for you — or if you simply can’t afford the monthly fees — then a site like PlentyOfFish that offers unpaid membership options is more up your alley.

Remember that there’s no reason you can’t join multiple dating websites, increasing your options and improving the exposure of your personal profile. This is a great way to diversify your online dating efforts and meet people that might not be on the first site you choose to join.

When you finally do decide on a dating website, be sure to

MEN, click here to improve your online dating game immediately.

LADIES, visit our women’s guide to online dating.

Lastly, patience is the key! You won’t find love immediately upon registering for an internet dating site, so don’t expect instant results.

If you keep your expectations in check, create a great user profile, and reach out to lots of eligible people, you’ll eventually find what you’re looking for.

Best of luck!

Do you have a relationship or dating question you’d like answered? Send us a message on Twitter or get in touch with us via Facebook and we’ll do our best to provide an answer here!