April 30, 2008
Truly Crazy Dating Site Could Come To Seattle
Could there be a way to make internet dating in Seattle even more anonymous? A new site, CrazyBlindDate.com, might be coming to our city to do just that. The site's creators explain, "There are no profiles, pictures, winks, or instant messages. Instead, users simply enter the basics of what they're looking for in a date (age, gender, orientation, etc.) and when they're free." Then you get an email or text message with a place (one of several "approved bars and coffeeshops") and a time. Bingo! You’ve got a date!
The company hasn’t yet added Seattle to its list of locations, but we’re in the final five for their 2008 expansion. You can vote for Seattle here.
Internet dating serves a legitimate purpose in today’s fast-paced, semi-isolated social environment. This extra-blind date concept, however, horrifies us. Maybe it’s because it reduces love to omelet status: Cupid as a short-order cook who serves up only exactly what you specify. Or is it the opposite, creating a dating experience that’s most similar to rolling (invisible, weightless) dice?
In either case, though we’ve had our hits and misses with the usual internet dating sites, this new one doesn’t sound like our cup of tea. At least with Okcupid or Match.com, users get the pleasure of reading prospective dates’ witty/dull/sex-obsessed profiles before the inevitably awkward first date.
Then again, we’ve always been too picky for our own good. Any adventurous readers out there who would try CrazyBlindDate.com? Now’s your chance to vote to bring this service to Seattle!
"Love Is All Around" by iamdonte
|
Wow. Internet dating is enough of a crapshoot without seeing people's photos, interests, etc. I would expect using this site would make for lots of terrible dates, even by online dating standards.
In the site's defense, though, one is pretty much guaranteed lots of terrible dates regardless. This just expedites the process!
really? I think it sounds like a fascinating social psychology experiment!
Hey Seattle, I have an idea. Try f@#$ing socializing once in a while. Probm solved!
It's just facilitated flirting, probably perfect for reluctant Seattlites. I met the guy I'm currently dating at a bar, when I leaned over and asked if he wanted to join me at my table. I've lived here for four years, however, and I don't think I've ever been hit on in a bar or a coffee shop. I'm a generally friendly, cute girl. Guys chat me up when I'm traveling, never here. It's the Seattle Social Awkwardness.
There's so much snap judgment that goes on with photos (ha!). I never would have dated any of my previous (or, honestly, current) boyfriends based on the photos they would have chosen for their profiles. Why not throw caution to the wind? No investment, no harm, no foul. I've had too many internet dates that sizzled on screen and fell flat in person. This way, you don't fall in love with someone's writing (or, write them off for poor grammar or spelling). I give the idea a thumbs up.
@Grounded Girl
We dont flirt because you're all taken (=
@jessejb
Never assume ; ) I've been single most of the time I've lived here. And even if taken, it feels great to be flirted with. Also, I know several couples who met while dating other people. Men of Seattle-- take a chance! (Women of Seattle should, too.)
Oh, I'm sorry, but that sounds totally friggin brilliant. Not for actually meeting anyone romantically, probably, but I think throwing random people together for coffee or a meal is a brilliant idea, period.
Also, @GroundedGirl, word. I'm thinking back on it and I actually can't remember any of my (usually quite hot) lady friends ever being flirted with in Seattle (I excuse myself from the generalizations. Maybe I'm smelly? My friends are not.) Granted they don't usually take the flirting initiative either, but still. Definitely something I've only seen in this town.
I'd take this on as a social experiment, and I love the idea of meeting/eating with strangers (see: group tables at restaurants like Sitka and Spruce or Boom Noodle). That said, using this service to find romantic love is so unappealing to me! I'm not in the game to have random dates, I guess, though that's a fun hobby in which I've participated at times. At this point, I'm in it for love, and I take that pretty seriously. Online dating, period, I consider to be a pretty big risk... so this extra-blind thing scares the bejesus out of me.
Totally pro-flirting, though.
You can't be serious - it actually bothers me to know all of these ridiculous derivative dating sites that exist and prosper today. What a waste of time, energy, and hope.
It is all backwards if you ask me. What people should be considering is how they can become part of the 62% of married people that meet through networks of friends.
Have you heard of "private online dating?" This is a new concept started by a Seattle-based company called Sparkbliss.com that finally provides a private and safe alternative for people that don't want to go on risky blind dates.
Private Online Dating is for people who value their privacy. Individual profiles are confidential. There is no ability to search for profiles outside each member’s own trusted connections. Each member manages by invitation their own private social network of trusted friends and family. Only a member’s trusted connections can view their profile.
Private Online Dating is for people who value their safety. You don’t expose yourself and trust people you don’t know. References and testimonials accompany romantic introductions. Credibility of romantic introductions can be further verified by asking trusted connections for additional information. This serves to mitigate dubious activity including romance scams and online predatory behavior. Photos and profiles are genuine. Connections will not make introductions if information is inaccurate. It’s an auto-moderated system by default.
@GroundedGirl
Ehh...the ratio is totally out of favor for guys in this city. Ive been living in the city properfor a couple years and meet lots of people every day, but I can count the single females on one hand. So you kinda just learn to put the flirting away after a while and become more self-involved. Some may think thats crazy, but thats really why guys are the way they are here.