One of the reasons some people use online dating sites is their lifestyle associated with work. In these days of global trade, some people are away from home much of the time. That doesn’t leave much time for seeking out romantic partners near home base.
Others just want to expand their pool of possible partners to include the whole world. People have a variety of interests and tastes. Sometimes that can’t be satisfied with what they find in their own culture or community.
Whatever their motivation, many find an international dating site the perfect solution to their needs. Members live in all parts of the world. India is a very big percentage of that membership, but Spain, the Philippines, Russia and every other part of the globe is represented as well.
That enlarged and more varied group of individuals makes for a dating site with many advantages, not least of which is the potentially sheer greater number of members.
Almost everyone speaks and/or writes English, so communication is less of a problem today than ever. Members have a chance to share experiences that always seem unusual to one another, yet they discover that, fundamentally, people are similar the world over.
Since most people are attracted initially to looks and tastes differ, there’s an enhanced opportunity to find someone who appeals to that individual preference.
But international sites have some potential drawbacks that anyone interested should take into account.
First and foremost, be realistic. The person you’re communicating with has matured in a completely different cultural environment.
Even in native English speaking countries, or those where Western culture has had a strong influence, there are important differences.
George Bernard Shaw once wrote that England and America were ‘two nations separated by a common language’. Even in that case, the cultural differences can be profound. That difference widens when you consider countries as different as, say, Russia and India.
Second, a closely related point is: be practical. Most people don’t have the money to hop around the globe on a whim. Those that do, rarely use dating sites.
For most members, it will take considerable planning and careful execution to follow up on any prospect at an international dating site.
If all that’s desired is for a pen-pal, someone from another culture to exchange emails or phone calls with, that’s fine. But for most people, establishing a long-term relationship is the goal. For many in traditional cultures, or even more modern ones, marriage is the ultimate aim.
By all means, if someone from an international online dating site piques your interest, pursue it. After all, that’s the reason you joined in the first place. But with legal restrictions, jobs and other factors, just keep in mind you may have some extra work to do.
But then, it’s still true: love does conquer all. Go for it.