CURIOSITY may have gotten the better of me last year. School’s out and summer vacation was just beginning when I decided to try online dating.
I wanted to see what it would be like to have some sort of relationship with someone you could only be with virtually. My friends thought I was crazy. A lot of people don’t consider online dating a good foundation for relationship as the persons interact from a great geo-physical distance.
But it was so easy: I had the time, a smartphone and an Internet connection. And there were so many apps and dating sites, like FilipinoCupid, Peekawoo and Tinder.
I met this guy—let’s call him Azhar—from Pakistan.
It was a bit awkward at first as we ping-ponged questions and curt replies. But after discovering we both had similar interests—writing, book and music genre and the medical field, the conversation became lighter. Azhar said he’s a med student and plans to take up cardiology. I told him about my job as a contributor for a magazine.
Catfishing was a constant worry so we swapped selfies. Still, I only provided Azhar only general facts about my life such as that I come from a big family, have one sibling and a stepfather.
We also had things to consider like time zones, cultural differences, past relationships and personal beliefs. I always had to remind myself that I was talking to a guy who comes from a patriarchal society. He sometimes came across as sexist. Considering it unintentional, I had to carefully point it out to him if ever he was offensive.
I think Azhar and I had a good relationship. We didn’t really get past the dating part up to the level of intimacy a boyfriend and girlfriend experiences. Azhar and I left it at that because of the distance of our location and culture. We also agreed we would actually be better off as friends.
I didn’t consider myself as that desperate to date someone when I dated online. I guess I didn’t have the time to even go out.
I consider online dating as convenient and time efficient. I can draw the line when and where in the stage of the relationship I want to.
But if you’re really tired of waiting or discouraged by too many encounters with various “Mister Wrongs,” if you are too busy to even look for “Mister Right,” why not give online dating a shot?
But always remember there are boundaries. Never give too many details of your life unless you’re really sure the one you’re dating online is not catfishing.
Although it’s a long shot and there’s a one in a million chance we’d actually find “The One” in online dating, we would at least have fun trying.
Alessandra Anonas, 19, loves food, science and books. She’s always on the lookout for curious things that catches her interest.
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