YouTube me & iTube you. aww!

The perfect man is out there. Cyberspace told me so.

Yesterday my Online PR instructor Jessica McLaughlin devoted the class to YouTube.com and its humble beginnings. Now, I’m not a nerd (denial, denial!) but all that techy stuff was rather interesting. Learning about the logistics behind the site, what went into developing it and how it became such a phenomenon was just plain cool. Now, anyone who has a webcam can be a star in their right mind. Point, click, talk, upload. It’s just that easy.

And what’s quite intriguing is how people can become friends (or foes be the case) over this impersonal-personal approach. Although, I do question the authenticity of a friendship formed over the web. Don’t get me wrong, I lived the ICQ days (yes, c’mon you remember them too) and I did have a few “friends” that I developed a bond with online, but the lack of physical presence made it hard to have any real feelings for any of these people. And over time, none of these “friendships” lasted. That’s why when I learn of people “talking” to each other over the web and in this case, via YouTube videos, I find it a lil unbelievable. To feel so connected with someone you’ve never actually met isn’t something that I can comprehend. I mean, I can’t even fully commit to my eHarmony account and its only been a week or so, because the lack of seeing prevents me from believing. Maybe I’m a cyber cynic? I dunno?

But it’s not just YouTube.

I once knew someone who fell head over heels for a guy she met online. They “dated” for almost a year and she fell in love with him. All the while, they had never met. But, he was her “boyfriend” and she was convinced he was the one and that they’d get married. I’m not sure how the love story ended, but the fact that she had such strong feelings for someone she’d only ever communicated with online was baffling. I wonder how their “dates” were? I know I couldn’t settle for man that didn’t even have the decency to buy me dinner. And what about intimacy? Are nudges cyber-speak for foreplay? I don’t mean to sound patronizing but the concept of being in a relationship with anyone solely through online communication is something I can’t quite comprehend.

I encourage anyone who’s been there done that to correct my ignorance.

web dating

That apple looks mighty tempting.

Perusing through my local supermarket I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of fruity delights. Yes, attractive young men were as ripe as the lovely Gala I’d just purchased, which got me thinking, are grocery stores really the best place to meet men? I mean, I’d never given the idea much thought because frankly, me shopping in my sweats doesn’t exactly scream “hot stuff” but with what I was seeing, I thought it might be time to give this old method a new chance.

The next day, I got done up, hit the aisles and tried to position myself in the eye-line of any given “Mr. PSS” (Possibly Single and Searching). 15 mins into it, with no hope of even a “Do you know where I can find the Hummus?” I decided to call it a day. I thought to myself, there has to be an easier way. And sure enough, the web-world proves that there is.

Yes, I’m talking about online dating my friends.

Now, I know what some of you may be thinking, that that’s only for the desperate and lonely, but I’m willing to put my reservations aside and see what all the fuss is about. After all, social networking online is so common. And waiting for an online match seems to be a lot less humiliating than waiting in aisle 2 at Loblaws. Now, I admit, I gave the Lavalife thing a try; it didn’t really excite me. But maybe its time to give the ordeal another shot.

So, I signed up for eHarmony. After seeing all those too good to be true cutesy couples on TV, I can’t help but wonder if one day I’ll end up like them.

eHarmony says the process is easy and while this is true, let me tell you, it’s nothing short of time consuming. The site puts you through page after page of questions to decipher your personality and what you’re looking for emotionally, spiritually and physically. It took me a solid 25 mins to fill out and I didn’t feel any more in tune with myself than I first started. Let’s hope the eHarm experts can fix that. 

They say that based on the personality test you’re matched with compatible people. Its only been a week and I have 80 potentials lined up, knocking on my eDoor. Then, you can choose who you want to communicate with. The catch? It’ll cost you.

A 12 month membership is  $239.40 which comes to about $20 a month. And unless you’re a paying member, you can’t see profile pictures nor can you communicate with matches. You can, however, send your match an “Icebreaker” like, “Love your smile!” and “Wink!” to express interest. You can also set up a mini questionnaire to learn more about your match and to instigate a conversation, which I think is a great way to start a chat as opposed to Lavalife which immediately allows members to IM one another.

As far as web dating goes, gaining insight into someone else’s personality is always a good thing from my POV. And I like how the site monitors your matches instead of you looking for your ideal mate. eHarmony is kind of like your friend Emma, keen on finding you true love.