Today I want to talk about the stigma of relationships where people meet online. I know people who find that whenever people find out that they met their partner online their whole attitude changes. My question to this is why?
Now there are two parts to this story. The first one is that there are so many dating apps out there and people seem to think that meeting someone on there is fine but the minute you say you met someone on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, then suddenly that’s not okay? There is literally no difference between meeting someone on a dating app or meeting someone on another form of social media. In both instances you don’t know the person, meet online, and take things from there.
The other side is that some people are completely put off the minute you mention you met online, whether it be a dating app, or other social media sites. They flat out refuse to believe that you can be a normal relationship because you met online. “Couldn’t find someone in ‘real life’ so you had to look on the internet?” they scoff. This is absolutely not the case. There are numerous reasons why people join dating apps. Also if you meet on another form of social media then maybe you weren’t even looking? Maybe it just happened?
People then turn around and go, “Oh, but you don’t know what kind of person they are if you haven’t met them in real life.” Personally, if I was to go down this road, I would definitely meet the person in real life before I made any decisions about being in a relationship with them. That’s just me though, I know that a lot of people start dating and enter into actual online relationships before they have met.
Also, can I just point out that just because you meet someone in ‘real life’ and not online it does not mean that they are automatically a good person. They could be a complete psycho when there’s a perfectly normal guy/girl looking for love online. Meeting someone in the ‘real world’ does NOT make them any less likely to be dangerous.
The main ‘problem’ between meeting someone online and meeting someone in ‘real life’ is that they might live far away from you. However, I am not really sure that that poses too much of a problem anymore though. I mean sure is it ideal to not see your partner for long periods of time? No. But does it make you care about them any less? No. We live in a time where we are lucky enough to be able to fly anywhere in the world and it won’t take forever. Yes, I know that it costs money, sometimes a lot, but honestly I would say it would be worth it.
So there are my thoughts on relationships where people meet online. I don’t see an issue with them, at all. And if you have a problem with them then you don’t have to enter into one, but please be respectful of those who are ๐
Have you ever met someone online and started dating them? Have you ever entered into any online relationships? If you haven’t then would you consider it? Let me know in the comments below!
Love,
Kirsty x
Loved this beaut! So real and honest! I totally agree – it’s 2017 people meet online all the time and it shouldn’t be looked down on.
Thanks for sharing gorg xxx
Thank you so much! It’s just something I have been wanting to get off my chest for a while now! x
Completely agree with this! There’s such a judgemental tone towards people in an online relationship and there totally shouldn’t be! I met my boyfriend through a dating app and I’ve been told that was reckless and stupid but you can only know yourself what’s suitable for you. Xx
Itsallzara
I am so glad that you had some success. I don’t see what is reckless about it to be honest. It works for some people and I think that’s wonderful! x
Right on! I’m with you — I really can’t see what all the fuss is over meeting someone online rather than IRL. It seems like meeting online actually makes it a bit easier to connect with someone who shares your interests and is looking for similar things to you, since people are more open about it. But it feels like the stigma is slowly fading, so I guess there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!
xx
Emily
emilyhallock.blogspot.com
I also feel as though people are more open online. I know more about some people I have met online then I do about people I have known in ‘real life for years. Yeah, hopefully the stigma will soon fade completely! Thank you for your lovely comment x
“Also if you meet on another form of social media then maybe you werenโt even looking? Maybe it just happened?” Ahh yes I totally agree with this. Personally I went through a phase of talking to and meeting people through online dating apps and the only people I met there was always something that they hadn’t portrayed completely correctly in their profile – I know we highlight our best bits but some of these WERE OBVIOUS – I.e lying about age is all i will say on that one.Also, the problem for me was I was making an image in my own head of this person and then they turned out to be completely different from how I imagined haha!! If someone told me they met their partner online – I wouldn’t be negative, I would be more intrigued that it worked for them and would want to hear the story of how it all happened haha!!
hayley
It definitely sounds like you have some stories from those apps! I completely agree with the making an image of someone in your head! I also love hearing stories of how it all happened haha! Thank you for your lovely comment x
What a great post, I completely agree! Lately I’ve been having more dates with people I’ve met online, both from dating apps & social media, instagram & twitter etc and I will never understand why people care so much where you first meet someone. The reactions you get off people are crazy xx
I completely agree! I’ve met people online, even friends, that just understand me more than people I know in ‘real life’ so I don’t see what the problem is x
This is a great post; definitely food for thought. I’ve never used a dating app but I KIND OF met my boyfriend online. My mum knew him in real life and told me to add him on facebook, which I did and then we got talking and became friends and became really close from there. So probably not the exact type of situation you’re referring to but I totally do not get the assumption that relationships and even friendships that started online mean less. My best friend now I met online, I only see her once or twice a year and yes I miss her but that doesn’t make our friendship any less <3 xxx
That is definitely a similar situation though! It’s really great that you met someone and that your mum knew him beforehand haha! I am so pleased that you’ve also made an amazing friend x
My boyfriend and I were introduced through a mutual friend, but we started messaging eachother on Snapchat (modern, I know!) In a social world, where we all spend so much time online, I honestly think it’s impossible not to meet people you have a connection with – whether that be on a friendship level, or on a more serious level!
Snapchat is really modern but really cool! I am so glad that you found someone though! Thank you for your lovely comment x
This is all so interesting! I know there used to be a huuuuge stigma around meeting people online, but with dating apps sort of making it “cool,” it’s become normal. I know it’s not for me based on how I engage with people, but I also know people who have had long, happy relationships with people they’ve met online. You’re so right that someone’s relationship is no one else’s business. People can be just as fake in real life as they are online. This is a great post with some solid thoughts.
I mean it’s not for everyone but for some people it works and I think that is great. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! ๐ x