Dating hasn't been around for more than a century.  At least not in the way we experience it today as doing the work to find potential dates, spend time with them, and gauge your compatibility.  Back in the good old days someone would inevitably tell you who to marry.  Dating wasn't usually an option, and you certainly wouldn't have your pick of the litter.  It would be decided who you would spend the rest of your life with.  This decision was based on breed, money, property, and politics-anything but love.

We face a challenging and exciting new century, where people get to choose who they love and who to spend their lives with.  Here's the reality though: that choice is really hard!  How do you meet people in our busy age?  How do you know who is compatible with you, and avoid getting stuck on those blind dates from hell?  Internet dating services are the latest and greatest phenomenon to hit the dating world, and they're doing people a heck of a lot of good. 

Thornton Wilder wrote a play called The Matchmaker, later turned into the popular musical Hello, Dolly!  These famous stage plays were about a woman around the turn of the century whose job it was to "match" people up.  A matchmaker was basically the town dating service.  She knew everyone in town, and had a special sense of who would fall in love with whom.  Today, Internet dating is the matchmaker of the 21^stcentury.  Whether you're trying Internet dating to meet that special someone, or to just have a good time, you're sure to have a great adventure and meet some interesting people.

Internet dating isn't just for older people, as some of the commercials might imply.  Matchmaking services over the Internet are quickly becoming popular among a younger and hipper crowd.  Everyone is curious.  Everyone wonders if they could truly find someone who is compatible with them via an online service.  The truth of the matter is you have a really great chance of doing just that!

Why has the internet become so popular for dating and romance?  The internet dating services allow people a tremendous sense of freedom and privacy.  When you are looking at profiles online of potential matches, you only have to look.  You can see for yourself what might work, and take that active step only if you choose.  It's that kind of security, where youfeel in control, that makes Internet dating so popular and successful.  In fact, online dating is sweeping the world!