What Is Online Dating?
Dating is any social activity undertaken by, typically, two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity. Traditional dating activities include entertainment or a meal.
In many cultural traditions, a date may be arranged by a third party, who may be a family member, acquaintance, or professional matchmaker. Recently, internet dating has become popular.
Although dating etiquette in Western culture has become more relaxed during the twentieth century, there are considerable differences between social and personal values. For example, when an activity costs money, traditionally the man was expected to pay; but in recent times the practice of "going Dutch" (splitting the expenses) has become common and acceptable.
Types of dates
- Regular date: a couple meet for an activity.
- Double date: two couples meet for an activity.
- Group dating: an activity shared by two or more couples.
- Blind date: the participants have not met each other personally before; usually set up by a third party or an internet dating service.
- Long distance / holidating: due to a long-distance relationship, dating only when one or both parties are on holiday.
- Dating exclusively: each partner expects the other not to date third parties.
Systems for organizing dates
- Online dating: instead of a traditional matchmaker, uses targeted websites to meet new people.
- Speed dating: a group get together for several hours; at set times people move to sit with someone else and repeat the process.
- Mobile dating: text messages to and from a mobile carrier are used to show interest in others on the system.
- Virtual dating: a combination of video-game playing and dating, where users create avatars and spend time in virtual worlds to meet others.
- Singles events: a group of singles brought together for parties, workshops and games for the purpose of meeting new people.
Religious
Christian courtship
Christian courtship is a system practiced by some Christian families where two people figure out if they are to marry without modern dating practices. Participants generally believe dating is a means of impersonally "trying someone out" before building a more significant relationship. There is an absence of sexual activity, or at the very least an honest attempt to avoid it. The courtship is a period where the couple build a strong friendship along with the romantic relationship, hoping to set a strong foundation for a life-long marriage.
Jewish
Orthodox Jewish men and women usually meet through matchmakers in a process called a shidduch, for the purpose of marriage. With the advice of the matchmaker and the consent of the parents, the young man and woman meet on a date. If they like each other they continue dating over a few weeks. The decision to marry is made by the couple themselves.
