Lookin' For Love

Five Things to Look For in a Russian Dating Site

timzelmer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:40:29 +0000

The world of online dating has been growing at almost breakneck speed for the last ten years or so – and this has been particularly true in the last 18 months, as the worldwide economic downturn has forced us all to tighten our belts wherever we can. While most areas of the online dating world have experienced increases in the number of customers they cater to, perhaps no segment has seen as much, or more rapid, growth as those dating and marriage sites that seek to bring Russian women together with men from Western Europe and North America. Considered by many to be the fastest growing area in internet dating, it sometimes seems that a new website devoted to helping men find attractive Russian women springs up every month – and a quick search will reveal literally dozens of sites out there competing for your dating dollar. The question is – how do you make certain that you choose the site that is best for you?
When you stop to think about it, it is no wonder that Russian dating sites are one of the fastest growing and most popular segments of online dating. Russian women are known for their exotic good looks and eroticism, as well as for their intelligence and friendliness. Some men looking to form either a passing or a permanent relationship with a Russian woman might actually find themselves wondering why a woman that looks like that would even give them the time of day, much less be willing to form a relationship. The fact is that most Russian women don’t care about what a man looks like. Most Russian women are looking for stability – both economic and in a relationship – and have found that stability is hard to find in the area where they live. Given the widespread, government provided access to the internet in the states of the former Soviet Union, tens of thousands of these women have taken to the internet to find their perfect mate, and this accounts for the number of sites that are springing up all the time.
But not all Russian dating sites are created equal – nor do you want to do business with just anyone. Here are five things to look for to help you choose the Russian dating site that will best suit your needs.
1. Look For a Proven Track Record – While, as we stated above, it seems that a new Russian dating site is launched every month, when it comes to internet dating newer is definitely not better. Particularly if you are just starting in the world of dating Russian women on the internet, you would do well to look at those sites that have a proven track record of success that stretches back a number of years. The odds are far better that a site that has been serving customers for a decade will be able to do a better job for you than a site that has been around six weeks. For example, a site such as Dream-Marriage.com has been in business for more than a decade.

2. Look for a Wide Selection of Women – While it is easy to be dazzled by the come-ons and the pictures of gorgeous Russian women adorning the front page of virtually every Russian dating site, make certain you dig a little deeper before making any commitment. Spend some time looking at the directory of the women who utilize the site (it should be accessible without a membership) and make certain that it is fairly extensive – several thousand at least. The site should inform you not only if the woman in question is online, but also which of the site’s services she is able to utilize.

3. Look For a Wide Selection of Services — One of the biggest mistakes that can be made is being dazzled by the women on a site, only to find out after you have forked over some of your hard earned money that you are limited in how you can communicate with them. The more choice that a Russian dating site offers you, the better. These choices, along with email and group chats, should also include live, real time chat, live video chat, and live audio chat services. Additionally, the site should offer 24/7 customer service, fast problem resolution, anti-scam protections, an extensive FAQ and a large database of articles and source materials to make certain that your customer experience is the best it can be.

4. Look For Flexible Pricing —One thing that everyone wants to avoid is paying for services that they will never use and have no interest in. Rather than going for a site that charges an exorbitant membership fee which includes services you can’t imagine yourself ever wanting, it is usually better to look for a site that charges a modest membership fee and then charges only for the services that you are actually going to use. This is usually done by a credits or points system in which you buy a number of credits and then spend them on the site as you see fit – only on the services you desire.

5. Look for a Strong, Effective Anti-Scam policy — The unfortunate fact of the matter is that, regardless of how careful and savvy an internet user you may be, scamming is widespread in dating sites. It is important that the site you choose to use has a strong commitment to keeping scamming from their site, and takes concrete steps to ensure a safe experience for their customers. Look around any site you are considering and see if they go that extra mile – for instance, if they actually contact the women on their site to verify passport information – before signing up. Your safety, both online and offline, is always the most important thing.

In the end, choosing a Russian dating site is really like anything else – it is a matter of personal preferences, and finding a site that you think will be best able to cater to those preferences. This may take a small amount of work on your part, but once you have found the right site, that is when the fun begins!

Traveling to Russia

timzelmer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:40:21 +0000

The advent of the internet, and in particular internet dating on an international scale, has caused a number of people to redefine the parameters of their thinking in regards to what does and does not qualify as a “relationship”. While it is certainly possible to establish meaningful and, in many ways, mutually satisfying relationships with people across the globe via the internet; when it comes to romance the medium is, by its very nature, fairly limited. After a certain period of time, the simple human need to touch and be with one’s romantic interest surfaces, and needs to be satisfied. At this point, if the relationship is genuine, travel by one or both participants in the relationship will be required.
The growth in the popularity of Russian dating sites – and particularly sites that cater to men looking to forge long term relationships with Russian women – has caused a number of men to travel to the states of the former Soviet Union to not only meet the women they have met online but, in some cases, strengthen the relationships they forged on their computers, and sometimes even marry the women in question. Not only is travel to this part of the world a natural extension of the online relationship, but it allows the traveler to get to know more about the country and culture that the woman he is interested in hails from. More than just a typical tourist type of excursion, this kind of specific travel often times entails exploring areas that are both off the beaten path, and which present unique challenges to the individual visiting from the West. Unlike trips taken to the more common and popular cities of Europe such as Paris or Rome, trips to Russia and the former Soviet states require a considerable amount of planning and preparation. Here are some tips to help make certain that your romantic adventure goes smoothly:
* Check the Status of Travel to the Country – While most of the states of the former Soviet Union are safe for Americans and other westerners to travel to, there are occasionally incidents which make for both domestic and international instability in certain parts of the region. Before making your travel preparations to travel to this area (or, actually, to any area of the world) it is best to check with your country’s State Department or Foreign Ministry, and pay close attention to any travel advisories posted for the region. For residents of the United States, travel advisories can be found at the State Department’s website, www.state.gov.
* Research the Area you are Traveling to – Two of the very true things that can be said about the former Soviet Union are that it is very beautiful, and it is very large. In fact, it is enormous. Given the size of the area, and the different levels of modernization that exist across the various countries and regions, it is important that you familiarize yourself with exactly where you are travelling to. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that simply because your online lady love has a stable internet connection that she lives in a place with all the modern transportation and accommodation conveniences that we westerners have come to take for granted. Certainly if she lives in Moscow or Kiev or any of the literally hundreds of other modernized areas in the region you will be able to find pretty much what you are looking for, but should she live in a small town or village, there could be some issues. If this is the case, it might well be worth your while to arrange to meet up with her in one of the larger cities in the area and take things from there. A 20 hour train trip (one way) after an 18 hour flight is not usually a great beginning to a romantic get-away.
* Research, Book and Confirm your Accommodations WELL in Advance – While for many of us, the differences between a three star and a five star hotel in a major American city (with the exception of the nightly room rate) might not be all that important, when travelling overseas the ratings system for hotels can be a little confusing. Part of this is because some ratings systems award stars based on how a particular hotel stacks up against the other hotels in the immediate area. A three star hotel in the Ukraine is unlikely to have the same level of service and accommodation as a three star hotel in mid-town Manhattan. Likewise, in some parts of the former Soviet Union, pricing can be a fairly fluid thing – particularly where foreigners are concerned. It is strongly advised, particularly if this is your first trip to the area, that you use a reputable travel agency to help you make your arrangements, and make certain that agency is familiar with the specific area you will be traveling to. If you have been using a reputable online Russian dating or marriage agency that you are satisfied with, it will be worth seeing if they know any agencies they would recommend, or if they might be able to help you with the arrangements. Though it is not common yet, recently Dream-Marriage.com announced the launch of their apartment rental service where men will be able to rent guest quarters in selected localities for their stay in Russia and the Ukraine right from their site.
* Take Proper Precautions – International travel, no matter where you are heading, involves a certain amount of risk. This is true whether you are an American travelling to Moscow, or a Frenchman travelling to New York City. As a stranger in a strange land, you will be unfamiliar with customs, neighborhoods, culture … virtually everything. Unfortunately, when travelling for the purposes of meeting someone you met online – whether it is to the next county or half-way around the world – the risk factor is increased. You may have spent hundreds of hours chatting with the person online and believe that you know them – and in most cases, particularly if you have met them through a legitimate agency that verifies identities, they will be who you believe they are – but extra caution should still be exercised. It is advised that you not tell the person you are meeting the specifics of your travel arrangements and, at least until after the first physical meeting, you not inform them of where you are staying. It is usually a good idea to arrange your first meeting in a public place, and you should pay attention to your surroundings at all times.
Traveling to the former Soviet Union – or anywhere else in the world – to meet the woman (or man) of your dreams for the first time can be the experience of a lifetime. With a little planning, and a few common sense precautions, the love connection that you made on the internet could easily transfer into real life. The key is to make certain that you spend your time while abroad enjoying the experience and the person you have travelled to see, and not making up for a lack of proper preparation.

Russian Dating – A Guide to Important Holidays

timzelmer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:50:51 +0000

As any man who has been in a committed relationship can tell you, right up there with leaving the toilet seat up and calling the woman you are with by a different name on the list of deadly dating sins is forgetting those all important dates in a relationship, like birthdays and anniversaries. These days, of course, it is easy to program these crucial dates into the calendar on your computer, PDA, or cell phone which gives us guys a fighting chance, but no matter how careful we try to be … well, accidents happen. There is no avoiding it – it’s just how we are wired.
With the advent of international internet dating – and particularly the explosion in popularity of sites catering specifically to dating Russian women – an entirely new set of challenges are presented to the memory-challenged male who is more than happy to do the right thing if only he could remember when he was supposed to do it. Yes, you guessed it – in the states of the former USSR Republic where our lovely lady loves reside, holidays that you have probably never heard of are some of the most important on the calendar, and holidays that you have heard of aren’t where you expect them to be. So fire up your calendars, PDA’s and cell phones, and start setting those reminders!
* Christmas – While in the Western world Christmas is the time for peace on earth, jingle bells, and gift giving every 25th of December; in the states of the former Soviet Union, the holiday is actually celebrated on January 7th. During the days of communist rule, Christmas was officially abolished, although many people observed it in secret. Unlike Christmas celebrations in the West, Christmas in Russia is a time of gathering with friends, dancing and general partying – with limited if any “gift giving”. Christmas in Russia is more or less the equivalent of New Years Day (or eve) in the West.
* The New Year – This is, without a doubt, the biggest holiday on the Russian calendar, and probably in your lovely Russian lady’s heart as well. Roughly the equivalent to the Western Christmas (at least in terms of the celebration) this is the time for gift giving. There are two New Years in Russia – January 1st and January 14th – although for our purposes the 1st is the one to remember. On New Year’s Eve, Father Frost and his granddaughter Snow Maiden arrive in the middle of the night to leave presents under fir trees, and on New Year’s Day gifts are exchanged between friends and family members. Interestingly, the New Year celebrations continue all the way through to January 8th, the day after Russian Christmas. In many parts of the region, the entire period between December 31st and January 8th are official days off. If you are looking to impress or dazzle your Russian lady with a special gift, this is the time to do it.
* Valentine’s Day – Though a recent import from the West, Valentine’s Day (or the Holiday of Lovers) has grown in popularity in the last two decades across the former Soviet Union, and is celebrated on February 14th. As in the West, flowers and/or chocolates are the favored gifts, and cards are a must. Most reputable Russian dating sites will be able to provide you with a list of approved florists throughout the region.
* Victory Day – Though not a day of gift giving, Victory Day is an important holiday to the people of the former Soviet Union, celebrating their victory over Nazi Germany (the brown plague) and honoring the tens of millions who died in that struggle. Celebrated on May 9th, it is both a day of celebration and somber reflection; a card or email to your special Russian lady is appropriate, and will be greatly appreciated.
* Birthdays and Anniversaries – Though obviously these particular dates will be unique to the individual or couple, celebrating anniversaries and birthdays is very important in Russian culture. Just as in Western culture, you can find yourself in varying degrees of hot water by forgetting either of these two events where your Russian lady is concerned. Gifts are appropriate for both occasions, however in some parts of the former Soviet Union (the Ukraine, for example) this is much more of “it’s the thought that counts” type of proposition and, depending on the length and intensity of the relationship, flowers or chocolates should get the job done. Larger, more expensive gifts are usually reserved for the New Year’s Day celebrations but, as anywhere else in the world, no young lady in Russia is going to turn down a great gift on her birthday!
In many cases, the online Russian dating service that you use can prove invaluable in helping you get the appropriate cards and gifts to the women that you meet through their site. Particularly if the site has contacts with legitimate retail businesses operating in the former Soviet Union, they may be able to advise you on appropriate gifts in all price ranges, as well as facilitate secure and guaranteed transactions.
Contrary to the stereotypes many Westerners grew up with during the decades of the Cold War, Russians are a fun people, and love to celebrate, party, and have fun with their friends and loved ones. A warm and passionate people, in most cases it isn’t necessary to spend exorbitant amounts of money on gifts to touch the heart of your special Russian lady. Taking the time and making the effort to understand what holidays are important to her will show her that you take her culture and beliefs seriously, and will provide another layer to your relationship. For the early part of any relationship, communication is key. A simple remembrance sent via email, or perhaps splurging on a longer online chat will add a special note of thoughtfulness to your early dating process as you get acquainted over the holidays.

Security in Online Dating – It’s a Partnership

timzelmer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:00:26 +0000

By some estimates, over 100 million people worldwide are currently involved in the world of online dating to some extent or another. Considering the impact that the internet has had on virtually all aspects of our day-to-day lives, it is hardly surprising that when it comes to forming the most important personal relationship most people will ever have, more and more people turn there for help. Regardless of what kind of relationship you are looking to build, and what sort of man or woman you are looking to start a relationship with, the chances are very good that there are literally dozens of services doing business on the internet that will cater to exactly what you are looking for. It is also a reasonable bet that your potential partner pool could easily number in the tens of millions of people worldwide.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that along with the increased availability, accessibility and affordability that online dating provides comes an increased number of security risks. From personal safety concerns to identity theft, and everything in between, the fact that there are so many people utilizing all forms of internet dating naturally increases the risk that individuals who use these services incur. The simple fact of the matter is that – as with any other activity one engages in on the internet – if it has become popular, then there are a lot of people out there who are looking to take advantage of it. Whether they are sexual predators, identity thieves, or one time “soft hit” bogus credit card charge artists, not everyone on the internet is who they say they are, and keeping yourself safe online is as important as keeping yourself safe in any brick and mortar situation.
In the past, internet sites dealing with any level of social networking – and particularly internet dating sites – placed the onus for personal security squarely on the shoulders of the customer. A trite phrase such as “never give out your personal information to anyone you don’t know”, or some other like-phrased generic warning would both remove legal liability for anything that happened to their customers from them, and allow them to claim that they were doing everything possible to ensure their customer’s security. As internet users have become savvier, however, the businesses which continue to grow are those that take more proactive steps towards keeping their customers safe. These are dating sites that understand that the online security of their customers is not merely something that they take an advisory role in, but rather a partnership that they enter into with each person who chooses to utilize their service.
Anyone who has been on the internet for any length of time knows the basics of what to look for in any site. Sites need to be free of ‘phishing’ programs or cookies (easily verified by most computer security programs such as McAfee or Norton), financial transactions need to be handled by a verified secure server, and the site needs to be verified as “secure” by one or more independent agency (McAfee Secure, GoDaddy, Yahoo, VeriSign, etc.). Internet dating sites, however – specifically due to the personal nature of their business – have a responsibility to take further steps to ensure the security of their users, and customers have a right to expect increased levels of security services to be provided by these kinds of sites.
Some of the services you should look for when choosing an online dating site include:
* Site Specific Non-download Access – Simply put, if a dating sit requires you to download any software in order to use their service, you may do well to stay away from it. In many cases, downloaded software can contain viruses, worms, or ‘phishing’ cookies. Additionally, by downloading software, the site itself places the onus of security squarely on you, the customer. Sites that facilitate contact on the site itself without the need for downloaded programs usually will have security protocols built into it.
* Stated and Serious Anti-fraud or Anti-scam Policies – One of the first things you should check out on any dating website is its anti-fraud and anti-scam policies. While most sites will have a paragraph or two regarding some form of policy regarding dishonesty, a quick look around the site should be all you need to find out how seriously they take it. See if they have a specific and well publicized way to report scammers, and also look around to see if they have much of a database of articles on how to avoid scammers in the first place. It’s a good bet that the more of their website they devote to anti-scam and anti-fraud materials, the more seriously they take the problem.
* Identity Verification – Though relatively new in the market, identity verification on dating and marriage websites is becoming increasingly popular with many of the top-end websites. While the site should certainly not give you access to the details of another person’s identity (you certainly wouldn’t want them giving that information out about you, after all), a site that takes all reasonable measures to ensure that the people you are meeting online are who they say they are is definitely stepping up their game as far as security is concerned. While this is not yet a common practice, those sites that do offer these services are at the cutting edge of the online dating world.
No matter how secure any dating website is, no amount of company based security or screening processes are going to be 100% guaranteed to keep out all the bad guys (or gals). And the sad truth is that, particularly when it comes to dating and marriage websites – and the romance that is often involved in the social interactions initiated on them – a significant number of the security compromises that occur happen because of carelessness on the part of otherwise very careful people. As people have become more aware of the scams that are out there, scammers have also adapted their methods, sometimes spending considerable amounts of time building up relationships before going in for the kill. Though these basic rules have been stated over and over again over the years, they still bear repeating.
* Never give out credit card, bank card or other financial information to individuals you meet on dating websites.
* Be very careful about giving out personal information including your full name, address, or telephone number.
* Be very wary of anyone who wants to get too close too fast.
* Be careful of anyone who suggests going outside of whatever agreements you made when joining a dating website, including communications outside of the website’s established procedures.
* Be very suspicious of anyone who starts talking about money – and specifically their lack of it – soon after you meet them.
Legitimate dating and marriage websites will do what they can to keep you safe as you search for that perfect someone using their services, but it is important to understand that keeping you secure is a partnership. Once you find the right site you can expect them to hold up their end of the bargain. Make certain that you hold up your end!

Online Dating During The Economic Downturn

timzelmer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:57:21 +0000

The current worldwide recession has left no sector of the economy untouched. From the auto industry to banking, and on through the housing market to even the supermarket, there is virtually no area of most people’s day-to-day lives that has been left unaffected. Thankfully, not only did the “Depression” that many doomsayers predicted at the start of the difficulties fail to materialize, but during the last six months, the economy has actually begun to turn around. Things are beginning to stabilize, and even those hardest hit at the start are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

As with every other sector of the economy, the world of online dating and online dating services has been forced to adapt to the changes both in people’s financial situations, and what they can charge versus what they offer. Where once the ease, relative security, and convenient access to online dating services was enough for most companies to keep a constant customer base happy, today things have changed in the industry. Consumers are more conscious of not only how much they spend, but what they are actually getting for their money. As the various members of the industry scramble to get a share of what has become a far more elusive customer dollar than ever before, one clear winner emerges from the plethora of special offers, ad campaigns, incentives, bonuses, and price wars.

That winner is the customer.

There has never been a time in the ten-plus year history of the online dating industry, as it exists today, when the customer has been able to get as much for his money. In order to survive, online dating sites have been forced not only to lower their prices and extend special – and in some cases – free offers, but many have been compelled to upgrade their services as well. Whereas once many of these services took a rather hefty up-front payment and then left their clients to pretty much sink or swim on their own, today those services that want to still be in business six months from now have had to adapt not only how they charge their customers, but also how they treat their customers. As can be seen throughout the industry, those sites who have adapted themselves to offer good value for money continue to thrive, whereas those which have failed to adapt, find their customers looking elsewhere.

Perhaps the most important change for the customer of online dating services today is the end (at least on sites that are likely to survive) of the “one size fits all” approach to online dating. In the past, on many sites, individuals paid their start-up fees, filled out a “personality inventory”, and waited for the site’s computer to match them up with a pre-determined number of people based on geographic, economic, and personal interest criteria. The customer, for the most part, was left completely out of the loop, and had no actual say in the process – often times not even having access to a picture of the people selected as their “love matches” until they had gone a considerable amount of the way through the process. The services, of course, offered no guarantees that the person a customer was “connected” with would be of any interest to them whatsoever. When a pre-determined number of unsuccessful connections had been made, the service re-billed the customer’s credit card and started the expensive, time consuming and very frustrating cycle all over again – with the customer still having very little, if any, control over their own fate. While sites that do business in this manner continue to remain on the internet, many other sites have chosen to adapt the way they do business to provide their customers with a greater level of customer service, as well as more choice when it comes to what types of services they can purchase.

Some things to look for when shopping for the right online dating service include:

* FREE INTRODUCTORY TRIAL –Particularly in these tough economic times, it is important not only to get what you pay for, but also to make certain that you don’t pay for what you don’t want. Additionally, just as you wouldn’t consider buying a car without test driving it, it is not a good idea to sign a six month or one year contract with a dating service without at least giving it a try first. Many services these days offer a short, free introductory trial period, which allows prospective customers to take a look around at what the service has to offer without risk or obligation. A good question to keep in mind when shopping for a dating service is this: If the service doesn’t offer a free trial, what are they trying to hide?
* ACCESS – While many large, expensive online dating services claim to represent hundreds of thousands of people, customers very often times find themselves frustrated by the lack of access the service actually provides them to all of these other people. While security is usually sited as the reason for this lack of access, personal safety is not compromised by providing access to online profiles, pictures and even email addresses that exist only through the service (i.e. hotlady@dating.com). Additionally, many dating services have begun to provide more personal services such as introductory videos, real-time live chat and video streaming, through the service. The technology to provide these services securely, while certainly not cheap, is readily available; and those dating sites that wish to compete have incorporated them into their list of services.
* FLEXIBLE PRICING – One of the most irritating things in life – and in the world of online dating specifically – is having to pay for services that you don’t want and will probably never use. While many sites will advertise that these services are “free” with your membership, in actuality they account for a significant percentage of the price of your membership. In some cases, while customers end up paying for services they don’t want, the services that they do want are either non-existent, or cost extra. Many online dating sites, however, offer flexible pricing options which are based on “points” or “credits”. With these types of plans, the customer purchases a number of credits, which he is then able to “spend” on the site, purchasing those services that he is interested in, while not being compelled to spend money on things he will never use. Aside from providing the customer with the ability to control what services he pays for, this type of flexible pricing system also gives the customer more control over how much he is spending, and makes it easier to budget his online dating expenditures.

Today, as never before in our lifetime, it is important to not only watch every dollar but to make certain that those dollars we do spend actually get us what we want. In the world of online dating, the ability to check a site out for free before committing yourself to a membership allows you to search for the access and flexible pricing options that will allow you to make the most of your dating dollars. Don’t be afraid to try multiple sites, and don’t be afraid to try something new. There are a lot of options out there. Take some time, and find the one that is best for you!

Internet Dating On A Budget

timzelmer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:15:37 +0000

The economy is on everyone’s mind these days. There is no getting away from it. Pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, go to an internet news site, and it’s pretty much a sure bet that’s going to be the lead story. People in the United States – and all over the world, for that matter – are hunting for ways to save money in just about every area of their lives. Although most experts agree that it is only a matter of time before things turn around and start getting better again, most people are being more cautious about how they spend their money than they ever have been before. They are cutting back on luxuries, and being careful that they get the most for their money on every purchase they make.

Saving money and getting the most out of every dollar you spend is, in many cases, a matter of doing your research, and “shopping smart”. This applies to virtually every area of life, and it particularly applies to the world of online dating.

Contrary to what many newcomers to the world of online dating and online dating services seem to believe, all online dating services and sites are NOT alike. Online dating services (as a simple Google search will show you, there are hundreds of them out there catering to almost every conceivable preference – such as looking to date Russian women or find a Russian wife) differ in their pricing, the services they provide, the levels of service available and the amount of both time and financial commitment they require from their customers. Keeping a few things in mind when deciding what online service to use could be the key to keeping your online dating experience within your budget.

Here are a few things you should consider when choosing an online dating service:

* Avoid expensive membership fees – One of the most common mistakes people new to the online dating world make (and one of the largest money wasters there is) is thinking that a high membership fee somehow ensures that you are getting a better quality product. While different services offer different schemes and “tools” for meeting members of the opposite (or same) sex, or in different countries and cultures – such as meeting Russian girls — the bottom line is that finding the perfect someone by using an online dating service is mostly up to the individual. The fact of the matter is that many of the most highly priced services on the internet offer many, many services that the average customer will never use, as a way of justifying their high fee. Before signing up for any service, take some time to see if you really need all the services you “get for their low, low price”. If you don’t care about being matched up with someone based on their astrological sign, most often watched movie or favorite brand of toothpaste, you will probably save money by looking for another service.

* Avoid long-term contracts or commitments – A popular (and quite expensive) trend with many online dating services is offering minor discounts for signing up for six month, one year and even two year commitments. While on the surface this can often seem like a cost saving opportunity, in many cases it is just the opposite. If after a month or two using the service a customer finds that they are not being as successful finding someone as they want to be, they are stuck. Alternatively, if a customer actually does find the person of their dreams after only a month or two and have already paid for a one or two year membership, the remainder of that membership amounts to wasted money. For most people, limiting themselves to a one or three month membership with any service will prove to be the most cost effective, risk free way to go. Renewing a shorter membership is always an option, but cancelling a longer one that you have already paid for is rarely an option.

* Consider credits/points based pay-as-you-go services – One trend that is gaining popularity in the online dating world is the pay-as-you-go system, which is usually based on points or credits. In this type of system the monthly membership fee is nominal, and customers purchase points or credits, which they are then free to spend on the services that they want to use. By using a service that employs this type of system, customers are not only able to budget and control the amount they spend, but also only utilize (and pay for) those services that they actually use.

* Take advantage of trial memberships/free offers – Particularly now, in these rough economic times, it is more important than ever to make sure you know what you are paying for. Many online dating services offer free trial memberships to let customers test out what they have to offer with no cost or obligation. This is particularly important to first-time online dating customers who are not familiar with how services work. While taking advantage of a free membership, make certain you pay particular attention to the various services the site offers, and be on the look-out for any hidden fees or charges that might kick in after you have become a paying member. Any legitimate service will have ALL their fees and charges posted somewhere on their site. If they don’t, you don’t want to have anything to do with them.

While all of the items mentioned above will help you save money in the online dating world, perhaps the most important cost saving measure you can take is to have a clear understanding of what it is YOU want. Decide what it is that you expect out of your online dating experience before you start looking for a service to use, and then look for the service based on YOUR needs and NOT based on what it is that they have to offer. Taking control of your online dating experience will not only ensure you get the results you desire, but also help make certain that you get those results on your budget!

These Are the “Don’ts” for Dating Russian Women on the Internet

timzelmer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:10:58 +0000

If you have spent any time at all looking around the world of internet dating, the odds are pretty good that you have come across websites that specialize in dating, meeting and in some cases marrying Russia women. Maybe you have even checked these sites out and been amazed by how attractive most of the women on these sites are; and, if you have, you are certainly not alone. Millions of people frequent online dating and marriage services on a weekly basis, and tens of thousands of men and women log on to sites that specialize in introducing men to Russian women every day. By some estimates, services that specialize in dating Russian women is one of the fastest growing segments of the online dating industry, with more and more new customers signing on to these sites every day.

The reasons for this are quite understandable. Russian women are beautiful and exotic looking; they are friendly and funny. While some minor issues might arise from time to time regarding more complex words and phrases, most of the women who frequent these sites speak and understand English on a better than conversational level. And, of course, as Internet access tends to be universal (and in many cases free) throughout the now independent states of the former Soviet Union, they have no difficulty getting online at all times of the day or night. These women (of all ages) are eager to form friendships, romantic connections and, in some cases, life partnerships with men who they meet online.

Finding the right site to help you start dating Russian women is a matter – in most cases – of personal preference, and common sense. You want a site that is verified secure, a site that is upfront about what and how they charge for their services, a site that offers a variety of services (instant messaging, live streaming video, webcam, etc) that you are interested in and, most importantly, a good selection of attractive Russian women who are interested in meeting you. Once you have found a site that you are comfortable with, the odds are that you will find articles and tips on how to approach, talk to, and form a relationship with Russian women. If, for some reason, the site you have chosen to use doesn’t offer a good sized database of such articles, you can easily find many by doing a simple Google search (and you might also thinking about switching services!). The majority of these articles will deal with the “Do’s” when it comes to dating Russian women. Below are a few “Don’ts” that you will also want to keep in mind as well.

* Don’t Assume an Abundance of Beauty Means a Lack of Brains: One of the most common mistakes that newcomers to the world of Russian dating make is thinking that simply because the women who use the sites are more attractive than the women they meet in every day life this also means that they are less intelligent. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Education is highly emphasized in the now independent states of the former Soviet Union, and many of the Russian women that you find on the websites speak three or more languages at a conversational or better level. In most cases you will find that these women are interested in (and knowledgeable about) politics, world affairs, music, movies, fashion and a host of other topics. Not only are these women fun to look at, but they are fascinating to talk to as well!

* Don’t Confuse Russian Dating Sites with Mail Order Bride Sites: With over six hundred “Russian Mail Order Bride” sites known to be operating on the internet, many men find themselves confusing these sites with Russian dating sites, or even with sites that specialize in introducing men to Russian women for the possible purpose of marriage. It is important to make certain that any site you use for meeting and dating Russian women – whether just for fun or with an eye towards a possibly deeper relationship – not only allows you live contact with the women in question, but also offers the women who use it the same rights and privileges that it accords its male customers. For the most part, communication between parties at the Mail Order Bride sites is limited to email only. You will want to make certain that any site you use offers you the options of direct communication through the site by means of chat rooms, instant messaging, or live webcam.

* Don’t be Shy: One of the most common comments made by newcomers to the world of Russian dating is along the lines of: “What on earth would a woman who looks like that want to have do with a guy who looks likes me?” In actuality, the answer is – just as much as they would want to have to do with you if you looked like Brad Pitt (okay, maybe not QUITE as much, but you get the idea). Traditionally, Russian women do not place anywhere near the importance that American women place on a man’s looks. In general, they are more interested in a man’s mind and ‘heart’. They are looking for men who they enjoy spending time with, not who they enjoy looking at.

* Don’t be Taken: Unfortunately, as with any form of internet dating, there are those people out there whose sole purpose for using a site is to separate you from your money. In most cases, after chatting with a guy a couple of times, the person in question (who, in many cases isn’t even a woman) will start asking for money – a little at first, and the progressively more – usually for “worthy” reasons such as an ailing relative or even to help pay for a trip to see you. In virtually all such cases, these people are simply scamming you, and should be reported to the administrators of the service you are using immediately. To cut down on incidents like this, it is recommended that you only use services that have a zero tolerance policy towards scamming, and who employ some form of identity verification for the women on their site.

There is a reason why Russian dating sites represent one of the fastest growing segments of the online dating world, and that reason is that they provide many people with exactly what they are looking for out of their online dating experience. There are plenty of legitimate sites out there, and with just a little research and common sense, you can develop the tools to help you find one that is perfect for you. So, what are you waiting for!

New Years Resolutions: It’s Not Too Late To Find Love

timzelmer — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:04:17 +0000

New Years’ Resolutions – we all make them and, unfortunately, most of us break them – every year. We are going to quit smoking, we are going to lose that extra weight, we are going to start eating healthier, we are going to get back to the gym … the list goes on and on for most of us. Though we start the New Year with every intention of sticking to our guns and keeping our resolutions this time, it seems like something always happens that knocks us off course. Though there is no hard and fast proof of it, many experts believe that the reason most people fail in their New Years’ resolutions is because, in the final analysis, we really don’t want to do those things we resolve to do, and we really don’t want to quit those things we resolve to quit.

The good news is, it is never too late to make a resolution that you can keep, and the way to give yourself the best chance of success is to resolve to do something that you really want to do.

Several recent surveys indicate that a very high percentage of people living in the United States list “finding someone to love” as one of the top things they feel they need to accomplish in their lives. The problem seems to be, finding that perfect someone is a very time consuming, very challenging and, in some cases, very unpleasant process. How many of us have spent lots of time and, in some cases, lots of money looking for love in all the wrong places – only to find out that Mr. Wonderful or Ms. Right isn’t so right or wonderful after a half a dozen dates? How many times have we found ourselves on a “blind” date with someone who we find to be about as interesting as a snow shovel, looking at another two hours of endless conversation about her father’s gall bladder surgery and a couple of hundred dollar dinner check for the experience in our immediate future? How many times have we met someone that we think we could really have something special with, only to freeze up when we try to speak to her – sweat, stammer and generally look like an idiot?

There is no doubt about it, being single is tough, and getting “unsingle” can be even tougher. It can really seem as though the odds are stacked against us and that there is no way we can win, but I am here to say – DO NOT DESPAIR! Help is but a few mere keystrokes away.

Yes, you guessed it; I am talking about Internet dating. I know, I know – you have probably heard horror stories about dating on the internet; people are not who they appear to be, scam after scam after scam, very high prices and very low quality results – yup, those stories are out there and, unfortunately, a lot of them are true. But in just the last several years, the online dating world has changed to the point where not only is the process safer and, in many cases, more cost effective than it ever was before, but literally millions of people are doing it – some of them probably even looking for someone just like you. According to Online Dating Magazine, an estimated 20 million people visited online dating sites at least once a month in 2007 and, though the numbers aren’t in yet, some experts believe that number could almost double for 2008. Increased security on many websites – along with increased computer savvy on the part of site uses – have gone a long way towards eliminating a large percentage of the scams of the past. Most legitimate sites respond quickly and efficiently to customer complaints when it comes to possible scam-related activity, and there are literally thousands of articles available on the internet that will tell you what you should be looking out for. Some sites even have an “identity verification” program where they physically verify the identity of users to ensure that they are what and who they say they are.

There are a number of advantages to beginning a relationship via online dating. The pressure to be “instantly on” is removed – beginning a relationship via a keyboard and internet connection allows you a moment or two to think of the right thing to say before you type it. You don’t have to worry about “flop sweat” or “mush mouth” – instead (with the aid of your spell check function) you will appear brilliant every time. Additionally, if it is obvious to you early on that the person’s all consuming interest in the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or their overwhelming knowledge of everything related to Brussels sprouts, isn’t what you see as the perfect foundation for a long term relationship, escape is just a mouse-click away.

Perhaps the most attractive thing about online dating – particularly during the current economic uncertainty – is its cost effectiveness. Unlike traditional forms of dating, where the pressure is usually on to impress your date (which, unless your date happens to be very in to window shopping or feeding pigeons, can easily run into some serious money) dating online allows you almost complete control over your budget. While virtually all online dating services charge something, there is a wide variety of billing structures available from a straight monthly or annual subscription fee, a “pay as you go” sort of system, or almost endless combinations of both. In general, the amount of money you spend is completely up to you – as is the frequency with which you utilize the service.

Another huge advantage to be found in the online dating world is the fact that it is “open” 24/7/365. No need to get all dressed up, practice what you are going to say right off the bat, or use Google Maps to plot the best course for getting to your date’s house. Online dating tends to be informal and a “hook up” can last just a few minutes, or end up with the two of you walking down the aisle – as over 250,000 people have done in the last 10 years, by some estimates. The bottom line is, you are completely in control of how much time, as well as money, you are interested in investing in it.

New Years’ resolutions fail because most of the things that we resolve to do (or not do) are things that we really don’t find all that attractive in the first place. Finding that special someone, however, is something that we all need to do – and it is something that most of us want to do as well. Finding that special someone online could be the way for you to keep at least one New Year’s resolution this year!

Could A Russian Woman Be For You?

timzelmer — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:39:36 +0000

There is no doubt about it – finding that special someone to share your life with is hard for a lot of men. Sure, we all know those lucky guys who marry their high school sweethearts and live happily ever after, and other guys who have those movie-star good looks that pretty much guarantee that they will never want for female companionship. But for most of us, it just isn’t that easy. Finding that special someone is a lot of long, hard, work – and it can be very, very frustrating. Statistics tell us that there are more women in the world than there are men – but sometimes it sure doesn’t feel that way.

In recent years, many people have turned to the Internet to try to find that special life partner. In the past 5 years, the number of online dating sites has exploded – all you need to do is turn on the television or surf the web and you will be bombarded by choices and options. Online dating is an alternative that many people are choosing because of the security, convenience and cost effectiveness it can provide, as well as the truly amazing variety of people one has the ability to meet.

But even in the world of online dating the basic problem still remains – how to find the perfect person for you. Yes, the Internet offers the opportunity to meet a wide range of people, and far larger numbers of people than you are likely to find in your own home town – but “more” is not necessarily “better”. The fact of the matter is that in a lot of cases, we tend to look for matches with women online that are a lot like the women we have dated – and NOT hooked up with – in more traditional ways in the past. This is, of course, only natural; people tend to define a comfort zone for themselves when they are looking for relationships and, even if they are unsuccessful time and time again finding what they are looking for in that comfort zone, tend not to wander very far out of it. The idea of considering something new and completely different frightens a lot of people, particularly when they are thinking about life matches – and yet sometimes, trying something new and completely different is going to be the only thing that works!

One alternative to the “same old thing that hasn’t worked yet” that more and more men are trying is dating Russian women online. In recent years – since the fall of the old Soviet bloc and the massive expansion of Internet access throughout the former states of the Soviet Union, literally tens of thousands of Russian women of all ages have taken to the Internet to find men. There are a number of reasons for this, two of which are the fact that there are far more single women in the former Soviet states than there are men, and the fact that Russian men in most cases cannot provide them with the loving relationship and financial security that they are looking for. This is not to say that Russian women are gold diggers – far from it. In general, Russian women are some of the most hard working, industrious women on the planet. They are not looking for “sugar daddies”; they are looking for partners to share their dreams, goals and lives with.

There are a number of advantages that many find in dating Russian women online. A couple of these include:

* Looks – Browse a couple of sites that are dedicated to helping men find Russian women to date, and there is one thing that will almost immediately jump out at you: the women are GORGEOUS. Because of the size of the area which is commonly considered to be “Russia”, Russian women run the gamut from classical European beauty to exotically attractive – and everything in between. Moreover, in most cases, Russian women tend to accentuate their looks, and usually present themselves very well. Russian women tend to take a great deal of pride in their appearance – just as they take a great deal of pride in other aspects of their lives.
* Intelligence and Education – One of the difficulties that is often encountered in the world of international online dating is the difference in language. Obviously it is difficult, if not impossible, to form a relationship with another person if you can’t talk to them. While some more complex words maybe be difficult for them, the majority of the Russian women you will find at online dating sites are fluent in English (and, in some cases, other languages). Their interests tend to be wide and varied – everything from books and movies to politics and current events – and they are usually more than willing to listen to your opinion, and give you a few of their own as well.

There are a number of other reasons to consider looking to dating sites that specialize in Russian women if you are just not finding what you are looking for else – and most of them are right there on the sites themselves. As with any other online dating site, make certain that you read the site’s FAQ, and that they outline their charges up front. Some sites offer free trial memberships and other incentives, so you may be able to see what they have to offer without it costing you a dime.

Finding that perfect someone has never been easy, and the odds are that it never will be. But sometimes, looking outside of your comfort zone can provide you with options you never even realized existed.

Online Overseas Dating And Gift Giving

timzelmer — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:20:53 +0000

While less than a generation ago very few people had even heard of it, today it is impossible for most people to even imagine a world without the Internet. The fact is that, with very few exceptions, the Internet touches (or has the potential to touch) virtually every facet of our lives and has become an irreplaceable tool which is used by both businesses and average people alike. In just a relatively few years, the Internet has opened up the globe and broken down the barriers that separated people creating both a global market and a global community. One of the more recent additions to this global community is the online overseas dating community.

It is no exaggeration to say that literally tens of millions of people across the globe are – or have been – involved in online dating. Whether the aim is to simply find a cyber-companion to wile away lonely hours with or to find that perfect someone to spend the rest of their life with, online dating and relationship building is a reality of the Internet that is growing rapidly and here to stay. To give just one example, Online Dating Magazine estimated in 2007 that over 20 million people visit at least one online dating site once a month and that over 120,000 marriages occur each year as a direct result of online dating.

One of the growing trends in the online dating world is international dating. No longer constrained by proximity or hampered by the extraordinary costs of overseas telephone calling, Internet dating has opened virtually the entire world up to single men and women looking for both online companionship and life partners. While virtually impossible just a few years ago, it is now almost commonplace for a woman in Paris to form a meaningful relationship with a man in Brazil, or for a man in Philadelphia to fall in love with a woman in Moscow. International online dating services are available which cater to every preference and combination imaginable and anyone interested in meeting people from a specific country can usually find what they are looking for with a simple Google search (i.e. Chinese Dating, Russian Dating, etc.).

As amazing and successful as the Internet has become at bringing people from different countries together, however, it does have its limitations. Communication is certainly simple, live streaming video and audio is commonplace – but it is still all directly connected to a computer. While this is certainly enough for some people, many others – particularly if an online relationship has progressed to a more serious stage – are looking to take things to a more tangible level. In most cases, just as with non-online relationships, this starts with gift giving. Whether for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthday, anniversary or “just because”, giving gifts is an essential part of building any relationship.

Whether dealing with something as simple as sending a dozen roses or giving a more complex, more expensive gift, international gift giving can be a very challenging thing for people who have never done it before. Though we constantly hear about how the world has “gotten smaller” in recent years, and how we are living in a time of “global community”, the distances between locations are the same as they ever were. It takes time for things to get from point A to point B, shipping costs vary greatly when shipping items internationally, tariffs and customs taxes may need to be considered, and some countries actually prohibit certain items being shipped internationally to their citizens. Here are a few things you will want to consider when you are planning on sending that certain someone overseas a gift.

* Buying Locally vs. Shipping Internationally – Though most of us have gotten used to the idea of shopping online, when it comes to gift giving this is not always the case. In many cases – particularly when it comes to giving gifts to those we are becoming romantically involved with – there is a lingering belief that for the gift to be personal we need to find it in a brick-and-mortar shop, hold it and wrap it ourselves, and send it off to the one we love. Romantic, to be sure – but not always practical. Let’s take our above example of the man in Philadelphia who has been dating a woman in Moscow online. Our gentleman wants to buy the woman a gift for her birthday, and has a budget of $200. Shopping at his local mall, he finds the perfect thing for her, buys it, wraps it, and takes it to UPS to ship it. The package weighs five pounds, and he wants to ship it as cheaply as possible. The good news is that, for most addresses in Moscow, delivery time will be 5 to 7 working days. The bad news is the cheapest he can get it there for will be $247.50 – over twice his original budget.
When it comes to international gift giving, unless you have an unlimited budget (and who really has that these days) it is usually better and certainly more cost effective for you to shop in the country in which the person you are shopping for resides online. The most effective way to do this is to simply ask the person you are involved with what local stores he or she prefers, and then do business with them directly (you will find a surprising number of stores all over the world have websites – most of them with an option for English). While this does tend to take the element of surprise out of your gift giving, it is a simple way to save both time and money.

* Shopping Through The Dating Service – For those who really want the element of surprise in their gift giving (or for those who have found a dating service that they trust completely) sending gifts using the service is a second, usually cost effective, option for international gift giving. The increase in the popularity of online dating has caused many of the international dating services to provide options for ordering flowers and gifts directly through the service – usually at a very nominal charge. These services will have established service contracts in the countries they serve with local merchants and florists. While in many cases the dating services may have a fairly limited selection of gifts they offer on their site, many people find that the security of dealing with a service they already have an established relationship with is worth putting up with the limited selection they may offer. Most services that offer gift giving options will deal directly with the merchants, and charge you through your account with them – eliminating the need for you to give your credit card information to anyone other than the service, who will in all likelihood have it already.

* Scams – Unfortunately, as is the case any time the Internet and money are involved, international gift givers must always be on the lookout for scams, and take whatever precautions they can to avoid them.

1. Patience – Though particularly when starting what could turn out to be a romantic relationship it is normal for most people to want to impress their partner with their generosity, it is advisable to wait for a while before you start giving gifts. Make certain that the person you are “dating” is really who you think they are (using sites which offer verified identities or live streaming video is an excellent way of doing this) and also make certain that they are not just in it for what they can get out of you. The only way you can even start to be certain of this second item is by giving the relationship time, and getting to know as much about your partner as you can. In most cases, scammers will not wait around very long to collect off you, so temper your natural generosity with patience.
2. Cash – Although there are times when cash can be a thoughtful and appreciated gift, it is best to avoid giving cash – at least at first – to international online dating partners. Should a gift of cash be specifically requested by someone you are interested in, red flags should go up immediately and you should consider finding someone else. Virtually all legitimate international online dating services strongly advise against giving cash gifts, and many ask that you report any members who ask for cash.
3. Verification – Even if you think that you can trust the dating service you are using, it is important that when purchasing gifts through either them or the services they utilize that there be some way for you to verify that the gift actually went to the person you were sending it to. This is simple enough to do on your own by simply asking the person you sent the gift to show you a picture of them holding it (or if you use webcam dating have them show it to you during a webcam session). If the individual to whom you sent a gift is either unable or unwilling to do this, it could be an indication of a scam – either on the part of the service or on the part of the person.

Gift giving is an important, and fun, part of any budding relationship – whether that relationship is with the boy next door or a girl halfway around the world. Particularly in the area of international gift giving, if you temper your natural generosity and passion with just a little common sense and caution, your perfect gift could help you on your way to the perfect international relationship.