The following post was guest blogged by Bill G. of Web Personals Online – an online dating and personals site that provides advice about using online personals effectively and successfully.

Women who use online personals have a number of hurdles to overcome to determine whether the responses they are receiving are from genuinely interested parties or from individuals who may not be as interested as they are in pursuing a relationship. The following post will address some of the issues that women who are using online dating services must deal with and will also attempt to offer some insight on how to realize when a man is interested, as well as what guys are looking for when they respond to online personal ads placed by women.

From a man’s perspective, there is typically much more competition for the women at any given online dating site. This is because more men than women use online dating sites. The result is that women are often presented with two types of responses to their online dating ads. The first kind of response they are likely to receive is the type from guys who just ‘play the numbers.’ These are men who figure that because there is so much competition they may as well respond to as many profiles as possible and hope that they receive some responses. Women should be on the lookout for real short, terse, and somewhat generic responses to their personal ads and pay close attention to the content of the responses they receive to try to determine if the guy even took the time to read the woman’s profile. One good idea for women who are joining an online dating site is to join with a friend and compare notes. For instance, if the woman and her friend are both receiving similar responses from the same male members this is a pretty good indication that these guys are just ‘playing the odds.’ Typically, these guys are more interested in casual encounters and may not be looking for anything more than a one-night stand. Although there are exceptions, women should be very judicious in determining who they respond to.

The second type of response a woman is likely to receive is from a man who may be genuinely interested in her and took the time to find out about her by reading her profile before responding to her online dating ad. A man who is genuinely interested in meeting a woman at an online dating site for a potential relationship will be much more likely to read her entire profile and actually be interested in what she has to say. Women need to evaluate the responses they receive from men to determine if the response is from a guy who falls into this second group. The content of the response should be enough to determine if the guy actually falls into this second group. Women should look for comments about specific items in her profile in the man’s response, which would indicate that he took the time to read her profile. Another positive sign that the response may be from a genuinely interested member is if there are questions related to the woman’s profile, personality, her hobbies, or interests that she mentioned in her ad. If the guy is soliciting more information from her, this should indicate that there is genuine interest on his part. There is a much higher probability that if the man is from this second group that future communication could lead to something more. Men from this second group are typically more serious and selective.

A common complaint from women who use online personals is that men they have met online sometimes stop communicating with them or that when things seem to be going well, the guy stops calling. Typically if a guy is from the first group, he may be more interested in making a quick score. If the guy treats online dating like a numbers game, the woman who thinks he is genuinely interested in her may not realize that as soon as he receives a response from someone who he finds more attractive or potentially easier to seduce, he may drop her without warning or explanation. Guys who are interested in pursuing a more serious relationship often provide longer responses, comment on specific items in the woman’s profile and ask questions that indicate they are interested in getting to know the woman on a deeper level.

By focusing on communicating with guys from the second group mentioned above, the success rate for women who use online dating sites should definitely improve and there should be less chance of a guy who seemed interested, at first, losing interest later on.

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Source: Relationships

Source: Match.com Official Site

By Nina Malkin

Few holidays arouse the vitriol of Valentine’s Day. No matter where you are relationship-wise, you may be feeling the pressure—and a burning desire to swat Cupid right on his little rear end. But take heart (sorry!). Your V-Day sentiments of sadness, anger or simple annoyance are justified, and — more importantly — there are plenty of ways to cope and feel some love this February 14. Here’s how:

If you’re suddenly solo…
Breakups suck, but they suck the most right about now. If your relationship just fell apart, even an innocuous Hershey’s kiss has the power to sock your self-esteem. “Why do I hate Valentine’s Day? Because I’m alone! Thanks for reminding me!” snaps Maura D., 27, who lives near Baltimore. Ease the angst by reaching out to friends and family. “There is love in your life, a lot of it,” says Santa Barbara, CA–based marriage therapist and coach Wendy Allen, Ph.D. “Celebrate the people who love you, no matter what.”

Since V-Day hype can hurt, protect rather than punish yourself. “Have very little media interaction and avoid the public arena if possible, so you’re not faced by all the hoopla,” suggests Boston-based career and relationship coach Suzanne Blake. “Have friends over for a potluck dinner or to watch DVDs rather than go out to eat or to the movies,” amid all the goo-goo-eyed lovers.

If you’re a social butterfly…
Maybe you’re dating around, having fun—but searching for The One isn’t your priority at present. Or maybe you just don’t appreciate being told that there’s a certain date where you have to rev up the romance. “Valentine’s Day makes romance feel like an obligation,” says Ruthie A., from Oahu, HI. “Love is not an obligation, and I don’t need some overblown money-making business telling me when to do romantic things.”

Unfortunately, the V-Day marketing machine is cranked up to give you the guilts. You may even believe the holiday is a conspiracy spearheaded by your mother to get you to settle down. “Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is a defining moment—a time to take stock of your love life,” says Blake. “It can be hard to go against the grain.” If you’re really into playing the field, dare to be date-free on V-Day. “Show off your independence by going out solo as you might on any other night of the year or with a buddy,” says Blake. “It sends a good message to people less secure about being single.”

If you’re dating someone new…
There’s enough pressure on those who’ve recently started seeing someone. Then V-Day comes along to up the ante. If you have a new sweetie, you can’t help but wonder: “Should I ask him/her out for Valentine’s Day? If I do, what does it mean? Is it possible to treat February 14 like any other day? Are gifts, cards, the whole nine yards required?” It’s easy to misstep, as did a wealthy client of Blake’s who bought a woman he was casually dating expensive earrings as a V-Day gift. “He thought that’s what he was supposed to do, but she thought it meant they were a rock-solid couple and put a lot of expectations on the relationship he wasn’t ready to deliver on.”

Moral of the story? Keep it low-key. “If you’re dating someone new, don’t ignore the holiday—that won’t work,” says Allen. “Instead, reframe it. Decide to celebrate your new friendship, not love.” One idea: You and your date can buy some stuffed animals and take them to the children’s unit at your local hospital. Doing service with someone offers insight into the person, and being around those less fortunate may make you forget Valentine’s Day drama.

If you’re contentedly coupled…
Yes, even members of blissful twosomes can abhor the holiday. “I hate Valentine’s Day,” vents happily married Matt M., 39, from New York City. “You’re supposed to feel romantic in the face of all those schlocky pink lace decorations? Yuck. Talk about how to take something special and make it feel silly and commercial!” Adds Catherine E., 38, of Los Angeles, who’s engaged: “It isn’t enough to make a simple gesture. Now it feels as if you have to show everyone how much you care.” In fact, it can feel as if doing less than long-stemmed roses, candlelit dinner and $40-a-pound truffles is downright uncaring.

When expensive gifts and fancy dinners feel de rigueur, what couple wouldn’t want to snuggle at home watching Metalocalypse on DVD? That’s definitely an option. As Blake suggests: “Bond by doing the most un-V-day-oriented thing you can think of—have a sports marathon, go shopping for a refrigerator. Dare to break the mold—do something goofy and different to declare your independence as a couple.”

By following these tips, hopefully you can break away from feeling beset by Valentine’s Day—and enjoy the 14th in an unconventional way.

Nina Malkin is author of An Unlikely Cat Lady: Feral Adventures in the Backyard Jungle.

Source: Match.com Official Site

Cosmo has a great online article with 17 essential dating tips…they are great! Here's a sample:

1. First dating rule: Chemistry trumps all. Even if he talked too much about his hybrid car or had T-bone steak in his teeth the whole time, if his kiss made you melt, he gets a second date.
2. On the flip side, we don't care if he's the hottest, richest, funniest, Orlando Bloomiest man ever. If smooching him gives you the creeps, cut your losses.
3. After you finally hook up with a guy you found through online dating in a coffee joint, it's fine to tell your friends "We met at a coffee joint." It's not even a lie (sort of)!

Read the rest of Cosmo's Dating Tips…

Source: dating tips

Do you know how men think? Do you know how to catch the interest of a man?

Check out these tips from Steve Santagati, author of The Manual: A True Bad Boy Explains How Men Think, Date, and Mate

Looks Can Kill

Women don't want to hear this, but looks are important to guys - whether you like it or not guys are visual. This sounds trite, but when you leave the house to run errands, put on a cute t-shirt and a nice pair of jeans. Run a comb through your hair and add some lip gloss. You don't have to get all done-up, just better than thrown together.

Flirting Is a Skill

Finding a man usually doesn't just happen. Think of flirting as a skill - practice and get good at it.

Make a Move

A lot of men afraid are afraid to approach women for fear of rejection. Act interested and friendly. Make a comment or ask a question when you see an attractive man. If he's interested, he'll follow up.

Self Confidence Works

Say to yourself "I can have anyone in this room." Fake it if you don't feel it. It will change your entire demeanor and make you look more desirable to men.

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

If you're constantly on your cell phone when you're out in public, you're not approachable.

Text Messaging Manners

Never a man ask you out with a text message. He should act like a gentleman and call you.

Go Where the Guys Are

And where are all the guys? Wherever there are sports. Go to the golf course and practice hitting balls. If you don't know how there are bound to be several men who'd be more than happy to give you tips. Another place is at Home Depot or Lowe's. Get yourself out of the paint department and over to lumber, screws, and hinges. (I don't know why, it just is.)

How to Drive Men Away

3 surefire ways to drive a man off:

1. Act desperate for kids. A woman who stares at baby carriages or makes comments makes guys run.
2. Bitterness. Don't bring your baggage along on your first date. Go on a date with a fresh start and open mind.
3. Selfishness. Men appreciate a 'Thank you' when they buy you dinner or do something nice for you.

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Source: For Guys

From a Men's Health Magazine survey on the best cities to meet single men over the age of 35:

1. San Jose, California
2. Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Arlington, Texas
4. Raleigh, North Carolina
5. San Francisco, California
6. Fremont, California
7. Austin, Texas
8. Minneapolis, Minnesota
9. Washington, D.C.
10. San Diego, California
11. Charlotte, North Carolina
12. Dallas, Texas
13. Denver, Colorado
14. St. Paul, Minnesota
15. Seattle, Washington
16. Houston, Texas
17. New York, New York
18. Madison, Wisconsin
19. Fort Worth, Texas
20. Durham, North Carolina

Mandi, we need to getting packing! Phoenix is NOT on this list!

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Source: Dating Advice / Tips