Relationships: Online Dating vs. Long Distance Dating

There is no doubt single people are willing to try anything to find their romantic partner. It depends on how far they are willing to go. People date because it helps them to get to know each other. If they are interested in each other they can build a relationship. Meanwhile, there are different methods used when meeting someone. Online dating and establishing a long distance relationship are just a couple of methods to building a relationship. “In the U. S. alone, tens of millions of people are trying to find dates or spouses online every day. ” (Epstein, 2007).
Many people prefer online dating because they can quickly search through millions of available candidates. Online dating have many advantages. With online dating you are able to look at different peoples’ profile. This option allows you automatically eliminate the people you don’t find interest in. Also, online dating have low tolerance for foul language. There is a membership expense for joining an online dating site on certain web sites. “Other dating sites will not charge you a membership fee but will charge you posting personal ads. ” ( Hardy para 2).
Compared to online dating, long distance relationships have some similarities. There is no physical or face to face contact on a daily basis. Regardless of the lack of physical companionship, these relationships establish an emotional connection. Online dating and long distance relationships are beneficial if you enjoy having more time for yourself. You may have to travel a lengthy distance to see each other. This can also be costly depending on if your means of travel will be a train, bus, or airplane. In contrast, long distance relationships can cost a lot more than an online relationship. The latest issue of Women’s Health magazine has an article about long-distance relationships featuring this interesting statistic: An average total amount of $278 is spent a month by couples to keep love alive in a long distance relationship. ” (no author,2006). In a long distance relationship you typically know the individual you are in a relationship with. However, getting seperated for reasons, the test of true commitment is far more real than online dating. Online dating have imagine deception not recognized until you meet for the first time.

Author Robert Esptein met a woman he corresponded with online. They agreed to meet at a coffee shop, but she was not the same woman in the online photo when she showed up at the table. (paraphrased para 2). Thus, online dating and long distance relationships share common interest of people wanting to get to know each other. It could both be good or bad. You have to find what dating method works out for you. If you are shy person or used of getting rejected, then online dating might work for you. You could avoid the embarrassment of being let down.
Long distance relationships give you more time to spend with yourself. Although both online dating and long distance have their own category of expenses finding what method that will work for you will make you more at ease. Meanwhile, the effort people are willing to go for romance will eventually have some kind of distance involved, whether it would be online or long distance. “ More than 120,000 marriages occur a year as a result of online dating. Growth of online dating industry estimated at $642 million in 2008. ” (Silva-Behrens, Nguyen, Queen, Ayala)
References
Ayala,C., Behrens, L., Nguyen, G., Queen, M. (2009). Online dating statistics-docstoc -documents. Retrieved from www.docstoc.com
Epstein, R. (2007). The truth about online dating. Retrieved from www.scientific american.com
Hardy, M. (2006) Understanding no membership free personals/love to know Retrieved from www.dating.lovetoknow.com
Women’s Health (2006). Cost of a long-distance relationship. Retrieved from www.myopenwallet.net