Dating has now gone beyond blind setups and hanging out in bars.
By Shaena Engle/Special to The Malibu Times
Feb. 14th can be a tough day to face alone for many singles. If you find yourself looking for love in all the wrong places this Valentine’s Day, don’t worry, searching for that special someone has become more specialized in the 21st century.
Matchmaking has evolved both traditionally (face-to-face meetings) and technologically (via the Internet). Today’s single market, much like a modern supermarket, has thousands of options to choose from. If you start randomly searching without narrowing down your choices it can be overwhelming. Discerning singles with specific tastes can tailor their searches in a number of ways.
Many singles tired of the bar scene opt to set down their drinks and pick up their mouses to search for love. In addition to the thousands of general online dating
services available such as matchmaker.com, match.com, and eharmony.com, there are a number of specialized sites to suit different lifestyles. Here are some options:
Jdate.com-The leader in the online Jewish dating community with more than 500,000 members. The site claims that one out of every 10 Jewish singles is listed on its site. Free features include posting a profile and pictures, searching databases, replying to instant messages from other members while online, and receiving a list of matches. Paying members can send e-mails to other members, read and reply to mail, instant message online members and participate in Jdate.com chat rooms. Fees: One month, $28.50, three months, $79, six months, $149.
Booklovers Match-o-Matic (bookloversmm.com)-Provides an online meeting place for writers and people who love to read. Most members are writers, computer programmers, professors, librarians, artists and scientists. Members can specify to communicate via postal mail, telephone, or e-mail. Non-subscribers can post profiles, search other profiles and receive and reply to emails that members send. Subscribers can initiate contact with other members. Fees: Three months, $35, six months, $50.
VeggieDate.com-The largest vegetarian/vegan singles dating service, where vegetarians, rawfoodists, macrobiotics, Adventists, Buddhists and the like can share recipes, meals and lifestyles. Free two-week trial and no fee to respond to e-mails. To initiate contact with other members a fee is required. Fees: Three month, $9.95, six months, $14.95, one year, $19.95.
EcoDating.com-For nature enthusiasts who love animals, the outdoors and have an interest in preserving the environment. Free trial period. Fees: $10 per month after free trial.
CollegeLuv.com-Where college students from across the nation and the world can chat, date and meet new people. Free to post profiles and pictures, search databases, receive e-mails and participate in chat rooms. Paying members can establish contact with other students. Fees: One month, $14.95, three months, $29.95.
SeniorFriendFinder.com-For singles over 40 to meet for dating or friendship. As a free guest, seniors can enter the site and browse listings. In order to post a listing and respond to others, membership is required. Fees: One month, $22.95; three months, $39.94; One year, $99.99.
LargeandLovely.com-The leader in matching up plus size singles is an online dating service for big beautiful women and men, and their admirers. Free basic membership includes posting profiles and photos, searching databases, replying to e-mails and a free monthly newsletter. Premium membership includes the ability to send messages and participate in chat rooms and special offers. Fees: Lifetime subscription, $29.95.
Singles seeking mates with specific characteristics and lifestyles who prefer the old fashioned tradition of meeting face to face also have options.
Eight-minute dating-Time restricted hip urban professionals who don’t have hours to surf the net or attend singles events can go on eight one-on-one dates lasting eight minutes each all in one night. Gatherings are at restaurants and reservations are required. Fees: $35 per event. Contact info: 8minutedating.com
Wealthy men can meet the world’s most beautiful women through matchmaker Dianne Bennett. Busy executives who want to meet gorgeous girls attend Bennett’s dinner parties. Bennett investigates each client before making any introductions. Each paying male client is interviewed by Bennett and then guaranteed lunch meetings with five beauties. Both men and women are provided a profile and photo before meeting with each other to ensure there is mutual interest. Fees: To attend dinner parties, $250 for male guests, women are free. Contact info: diannebennettmatchmaker.com, phone 310.859.6929.
Bennett says that by the time people are in their 30s and 40s, many become frazzled by the dating scene and past experiences. “Remember, a date is not a psychotherapy session,” she said. “Above all else, it is not a time to bring up bad past dating experiences.” She also provides these words of wisdom for singles searching for their soul mates. “Become proactive, singles need to get out of their houses to meet other singles.”