So I've signed up with Match.com - come and reassure me that there are normal nice men on there!

[Sidge]

I figured I was unlikely to meet a Nice Man at work or in Asda so I thought I'd give this internet dating malarkey a go, and following advice from friends who know more than I do about it, signed up with Match.

I've had a fair few 'views' and winks and some emails, but I don't really know the etiquette! I've politely replied (in a very general fashion) to the emails and ignored the one where he emailed me 3 times within about 15 minutes and the last one said "why haven't you responded yet?"!

But I'd appreciate your Top Tips for this online dating business!

Cheers.

I found the sheer volume of sex pests, wierdos, bores, social defectives, control freaks and so on just too traumatic to have to wade through. I tired it for a couple of months, and it honestly ground me down. It was depressing me. I'd never normally associate with men like that, and it just seemed to me like not a very nice way to spend my time. Dating enough men to try and find a diamond in the rough is very time consuming and almost becomes a hobby for some I think.

I found it much easier to put more effort into my social life, making and being friends with people who introduced me to other people, doing hobbies where I met my DH and so on.

One tip I would share is always try to connect with potential dates on facebook after you have chatted to them for a while. That really flushes the players/cheaters out from the serious folks.

I didn't try Match but another site - bungled my profile - so no picture. Met DH on there we've been together six years and fours days, he is the only person I met online and I love him to bits. But we did have some mutual acquaintances, a guy I worked with, my flatmate and ex-boyfriend.

Thanks for all the advice. My Bullshit-ometer is pretty good so hopefully I can sift through the dross to find the decent ones.

Improving my social life generally is tricky, hence why I thought I'd give this a go but I doubt it'll be a long term plan!

I'll go and find the dating thread too. Cheers all.

The Dating Thread

It's got lots of people in the same boat, online and real life dating. The thread 'rules' are guidelines on how to date relatively successfully without getting too hurt.

Not everyone is cut out for the world of online dating, I think the best advice is to see if you enjoy it- if you are getting stressed, anxious, worried you are going to get dumped, being played a lot like my last single friend to use it- don't! If you can keep light-hearted and your wits about you, the stories on here are more inspiring.