frugal_alaskan:

I'm single by location, but I am in a committed relationship...he just lives 4000 miles away! 

I know what that feels like! Okay, it wasn't quite 4000 miles, but it might as well have been for as often as we were able to see each other. I married the man I dated long-distance, and some of the challenges we've faced as a married couple I think partially stemmed from the fact that we didn't have the day-to-day physical presence. Little things like he forgets to throw away his trash would have been more obvious to me if we had been in a local, rather than long-distance, relationship. They wouldn't have been deal-breakers, but they wouldn't have been surprises either.

These dating sites offer OUTSTANDING free online dating services:

How does one define OUTSTANDING?

kitekrazy:

These dating sites offer OUTSTANDING free online dating services:

 

How does one define OUTSTANDING?

Is it safe to connect with someone this way? I would have so many concerns with this.

Brandy:

kitekrazy:

These dating sites offer OUTSTANDING free online dating services:

 

How does one define OUTSTANDING?

Is it safe to connect with someone this way? I would have so many concerns with this.

At least as safe as getting  picked up in a bar - often safer.  I've used such services on and off for years - yes, guys lie, yes, it's been a problem, but by the time you email, talk on the phone, meet somewhere public, it becomes pretty clear - I haven't had any worse problems than guys I've met other ways.

karenteacher:

At least as safe as getting  picked up in a bar - often safer

I don't believe I would have ever done that either.

Keep in mind though, my own dating life is a bit out of the norm for this day and age. My tale includes a chaperoned date with a long time family friend and then a relationship and marriage to my neighbor, best friend and long time friend of my relatives.

Brandy:

karenteacher:

At least as safe as getting  picked up in a bar - often safer

I don't believe I would have ever done that either.

Keep in mind though, my own dating life is a bit out of the norm for this day and age. My tale includes a chaperoned date with a long time family friend and then a relationship and marriage to my neighbor, best friend and long time friend of my relatives.

Actually, I was only picked up in a bar once - I met my ex-husband at work.  The thing is, most of the men I know at work and in Taekwon-Do are married, and most of those who aren't are 15 or more years younger than I am.  The pool of men I have to draw from is pretty small; this just provides a larger pool.

karenteacher:

The pool of men I have to draw from is pretty small; this just provides a larger pool.

The pool of single men does become smaller outside of high school and college ages. I have noticed that even though I am not in the position of actively searching.

With the internet dating, do you ever worry that the person is completely false and looking to scam, use or seriously hurt someone? Not that it can't happen with people you meet face to face initially, of course.

Brandy:

karenteacher:

The pool of men I have to draw from is pretty small; this just provides a larger pool.

The pool of single men does become smaller outside of high school and college ages. I have noticed that even though I am not in the position of actively searching.

With the internet dating, do you ever worry that the person is completely false and looking to scam, use or seriously hurt someone? Not that it can't happen with people you meet face to face initially, of course.

Yes, and the websites are full of warnings - but as you say, the same thing can happen no matter how you meet.