Love Coach: Does online dating work?

Online dating is now the pulling tool of choice for a completely different type of singleton: someone who is smart, sophisticated, time poor and cash rich. Why trawl a sad, smoky bar when you can sip a chilled glass of white and shop for a partner in the comfort of your own home, specify exactly what you want – and have a good chance of getting it? Despite popular perception, research shows that 65 per cent of people don’t completely reinvent themselves on dating sites, realising that a face-to-face meeting is unavoidable if the relationship is to go anywhere at all. It’s actually an incredibly sensible and efficient way to meet people. Where else are you going to find so many like-minded people, grouped so conveniently? If you’re a super-busy career person or you work unsocial hours, it’s ideal because you can search for a partner anywhere and at any time of the day. Another reason why I’m very pro online dating is that people connect for reasons other than looks. Sure, you’re influenced by the picture of the person, but after that contact is usually through email, live chats online and eventually telephone calls. By the time you both actually meet up, you’ve got to know each other. If you get on intellectually and emotionally you’re far less likely to dismiss someone simply because they’re physically not your ‘type’. Which, of course, means that you’ll end up with a far better relationship. Good looks wear off around date three; qualities like a sense of humour, kindness, intelligence and generosity keep us together forever. If you’re single and haven’t tried online dating yet, do yourself a favour and give it a go. I haven’t met one person yet who’s regretted it!