As typical with anything in this world, it takes years for the media to sit up and take notice and now it unfolds. I refer to the new series on ABC entitled "Hooking Up" that follows eleven women through the adventure of "online dating". Albeit, another reality show, I found this depiction to be right on target to the ordinary dater's experiences. The premiere episode, followed a hair salon owner to meet her "British Fabio" who turned out to be older than he stated, looked nothing like his posted photo and admitted to her it was 15 yrs old.

I thought that was one of the golden rules of "online Dating", post a current photo of yourself, be honest! Obviously he did not read the online manual. Things of this nature happen day after day all over the world and give the world of Online Dating a bad rep, but the bottom line is, this program will expose men and women who indulge in these habits and create a better understanding of what the opposite sex is looking for, what they expect and the aprropriate etiquette on the age old first "Blind Date".

As the show progresses, we also meet "Claire", an innocent but savvy career woman, she knows what she wants and steps up to the plate to reach her goals.

She schedules the elusive first date, has a good time and agrees to a second date and finds during the second date that her feelings for this guy are more a platonic nature and lets the guy down via an email. Seems appropriate one would think, considering the method in which they met, but c'mon, how impersonal is that? Kind of reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City when she got dumped on a post-it note.

It may be the internet, but lets try to be a little more considerate and not cowardly. If you have the courage to meet this person in the first place, have the courage to end it in person or by a phone call. While the internet is a wonderful means to meet people and find your life partner, it is also a means for the unstable, unemployed and undesirables to create a persona with the intention of attracting the unattainable.

This program I am sure will prove to be very enlightening and educational to those re entering the dating world. Within this program you are sure to learn the do's and don't's, the benefits and the pitfalls as well as the plethera of available sites from which to choose from. Of course there are the big guns, E-Harmony, Match. com, Craigslist, etc, but it would have been great to have seen them profile a site such as Cupids Black Book, a site I found to be very personal and unique, offering services not found on other sites,not to mention it is free.

There are as many Dating / Singles sites as there are single men and women in this world, each with a unique platform. Should you choose to enter this world, and you will have a good time I guarantee, check out the sites, contact the webmaster, and choose one that has awards and accolades from their collegues.

The goal is to feel safe and comfortable with your Online Dating experience and to not to be blinded by the fakes. Keep your eye on this new reality show, you will be entertained, informed and educated. You may even learn a few new tricks of the trade. I'm gonna be glued to my set next week and I will be back to let you know what happens next.

Linda Reeves is a 47 year old advice columnist who writes for Cupids Blackbook

She lives in the American Midwest.

Author:
Linda Reeves