Who has had experience with internet dating, and is willing to discuss it a little?

I want to hear and talk about internet dating, both good and bad points. I've had some great, and some miserable experiences. Mostly, I don't get to meet enough people in my area. There are so many wonderful women out there over 100 miles away, and across the country too. Many women are contacting me from Russia and China, but its real hard to have a casual coffee date with anyone more than 2 hour's drive away, let alone a 15 hour plane flight. The internet is making the world smaller every day. But the world of "dinner and a movie" stays pretty much the same size. So, who wants to share their knowledge? I'm very open about my insights, and don't mind discussing any details at all. I think it is healthy to be able to talk about things like this these days. Hope to get many replies. Thanks.

Who has had experience with internet dating, and is willing to discuss it a little?
I met my future husband on the internet. Unlike most people, we didn't chat for a long time before we met. We were bored out of minds and decided to catch a flick a week after the first message sent on ICQ. We were lucky enough to be living 30 minutes away from each other. We started hanging out and became good friends. Eventually, that friendship blossomed into love and now it's over 6 years later and we're walking down the aisle next year.





I personally don't think that one can fall in love with someone over the internet. It's easy for anybody to hide behind words and be someone else. You have to have that chemistry in person too. Anybody can pretend to be someone they are not on the internet. That's what I believe anyway. No matter how we might say that we are not shallow , a part of every individual hopes for the physical attraction too.





I think that the internet serves as a great way to meet new people, just like youwould if you were to hit the town. The only draw back is that not everybody will be who they claim to be.
Reply:I've done it twice. Hit it off great on line and over the phone. Then I met them and NO physical attraction at all. Now I'm stuck with how do I get out of this without hurting their feelings? They are gonna know I don't find them attractive. I do not post my picture on line but we did exchange pictures. Some people are more photogenic than others. I wanted to do this so I could get to know someone first and visa versa. I'm ashamed to say that I AM shallow and need the physical attraction first.
Reply:I have a friend in Idaho who met a man from NY on the internet. They are now very happily married in Idaho.
Reply:With the exception of one, I have had nothing but good experiences with it. The key is not to force the date too soon, and because you have talked for a while before the first date, you can pretty much weed out the ones that won't work. That being said, nothing beats going out and actually meeting people face to face. Go for walks, the coffee shop, bistro or mom and pops diner. Realize that the worst that could happen is they say no, and life will be much easier
Reply:i "dated" a guy from australia who claimed he was 19. he actually had been lying and i didnt find out till MONTHS later he is actually 11 years older than me and now still wont leave me alone. i hate it cuz its like ur dating a computer. i got really sad before he told me he was that much older cuz i always wanted a hug cuz i'm a big physical contact person. it just wont ever work for me so i give up on those.