I had just moved to South Florida and didn’t really know anyone. A lot of the guys I met out were older than me (like grandpa status) and I have a rule to never date anyone I work with, so online dating seemed like the best option. My friend, Missy gave me that extra push I needed to sign up and try it out. The book idea çame about because many of my experiences were so over-the-top disastrous, I thought, ‘I have to share this with the world.’ When I started researching the market I was surprised to find that there really weren’t any books written on the subject. I asked around and someone said, “If you’re looking for a book and can’t find it, then you should write it.” Online dating is so popular now that so many people can relate to the topics I explore in the book and hopefully gain comfort in the fact that they’re not alone. I have to tell you, it’s been a hysterical ride. I couldn’t have made this up if I tried.

 

Hands down, talking with food in your mouth! It totally grosses me out and confuses me at the same time because I don’t know where to look. I don’t want to look at his face because I might vomit in my mouth, but I don’t want to look away and be rude. 

 

Best date- I used the emergency phone call and the guy did the same thing. We laughed so hard about it when we found out we had both planned the same escape route. I felt completely comfortable with him almost immediately like I had met him before. We were eating off each other’s plates within less than an hour of meeting and the conversation was interesting. 

Worst date- Omg, there have been so many! I went out with this guy, well we didn’t really go anywhere. We met up at the beach and there were a bunch of people having a meeting. Turns out it was an AA or NA meeting and he knew everyone. I’m standing there trying to figure it out and he’s high fiving and shaking hands like he’s running for office. He tells me he’s a recovering heroin addict and at that point the “date” was over. After our social engagement, he walks me home. I think he took a bus or multiple buses to meet me. He saw some scrap metal through the fence in the backyard and asks if he can take it. I was like, “Sure, what the heck.” So he collected all the scrap metal from my backyard and went on his way.

 

My best advice would be to have an open mind, a sense of humor and go out on as many dates (in public) as possible.

 

I’ve learned that transparency is very important. I feel like people should wear signs that indicate their true intentions like “I’m a player” or “I’m a nice guy, but I have some kinky fetishes.” There’s too much game playing online. The anonymity of the computer gives people permission to be deceptive assholes. People need to be more honest with themselves and each other. Mostly, I’ve learned to appreciate meeting guys the traditional way without having to read bios and swipe left or right. I just want someone to buy me a drink and use a corny pick-up line.