Online dating has many benefits, but as with everything there are also drawbacks. If you’ve spent more than a couple years meeting up with women online, you know what I’m talking about.
What’s funny about reading over my pros and cons is that some people may see them in reverse, because it all depends on what you’re looking for. And that’s what is good about online dating—it offers up just about every relationship dynamic you can think of.
Casual Dating Pros
You learn what you do and don’t want in a relationship. Women kiss a lot of frogs they meet online, looking for someone they deem compatible. What’s good to remember is that discovering traits in a person that turn you off, also reminds you of what turns you on.
You can explore new sexual horizons. While some of you might enjoy serial monogamy for the intimacy factor, casual dating or short-term dating is a fun way to explore new fetishes and fantasies that you may not have thought about.
You can date multiple women at once. This may already be your way of life if you are polyamorous, but casual dating is another way to enjoy multiple connections. I do recommend being up front and honest about this though.
You may find a long-lasting relationship. This is the online dating version of a happy ending. I know a few people who weren’t looking for Mrs. Right, but who are now enjoying long-term relationship bliss.
Casual Dating Cons
You run the risk of ruining your reputation. This can depend on where you live, of course, but even in a big city word may get out that you are player. I say there’s nothing wrong with casual dating and sex, as long as you write in your profile that that’s what you’re looking for.
Your pool of women is smaller without women looking for love. If you are only into casual hookups and dating, you are not going to attract all women. It can be a turn off for some ladies, even for those of us who enjoy the odd one-night stand.
You may experience online-dating burnout. Dating multiple women from various dating sites or from real-life connections can be difficult to juggle for some men. It can also be a hotbed for drama, depending on your definition of casual dating.
You miss out on the intensity of intimate sex. Many women claim they need to be with the same partner for a while to get comfortable in their true sexual selves, before they share their fetishes and fantasies. While I agree with this, there’s also something about stranger sex that can unleash a woman’s inhibitions.
Share some of your pros and cons in the comments!
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