Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Distinguishing Between Dating Sites and Chat Rooms

Whether you are looking for a short-term relationship or someone to spend the rest of your life with, there are several avenues that you can access online to help you with your search. There are dating sites and online chat rooms and pen pal websites. The sky is the limit. But before you sign up for any of these websites, you may want to compare and contrast. Here is the 411:

1. Anonymity. One of the main differences is anonymity. Dating websites often require users to sign up and fill out information truthfully. While names are sometimes allowed to be withheld, most dating sites require that a real life photo is used in ones profile. On the other hand, chat rooms allow for a larger degree of anonymity. One is allowed to use any handle that they wish so long as it is not offensive in any way.

2. Freedom and accessibility. Most dating sites are stringent when it comes to rules and regulations. You may be required to meet certain criteria or verify certain pieces of information about yourself prior to being allowed to contact other members of the site.On the other hand, chat rooms allow you to be able to chat with a large number of people at any given time without any pressure to fill out a long profile. You can enter and leave the chat room as soon as you please and talk to as many people as you would like to without having to write a long introduction. You can say as little or as much as you would like.

3. Formality. Dating sites are a little more formal when it comes to conversing with other members of the site. You may have to state your intentions right from the beginning. In other words, there is a certain degree of pressure. On the other hand, chat rooms provide a more carefree and relaxed environment. You can enter as you are without even revealing anything about yourself. You can about talk anything and everything without the added pressure of having to state your intentions from the get-go.

4. Meeting new friends. Online chat rooms are a great way to meet new friends from all around the world of different ages and backgrounds. Unfortunately, this may not always be possible in dating sites. In dating sites, reaching out to another person may signify immediately that you are interested in engaging in a romantic relationship with them. After all, isn't that the point of joining the website in the first place? With chat rooms, this is not necessarily the case. While many people do get on chat rooms in order to meet somebody special, others are simply there to have fun and get to know new people.

All in all, both dating sites and free online chat rooms are great avenues to meet people. Which one you choose to use just depends on what you are looking for. If you are interested in meeting a long-term partner, then dating sites are perfect for you. But if you are looking to get the best of both worlds, then chat rooms are probably the best fit for you. Here you can just come and go as you please with no pressure of meeting up with the people that you chat with. There is also no danger of being construed as a potential romantic partner if you are simply looking for a friend.

No comments:

Post a Comment