I have a friend who is really smart..

[Roon]

but she is looking for a mate and spends her time in a national chat room instead of a local one. She gets a long distance girlfriend, then gets heart broken when it doesn't work out. She has been doing this for years.

Wouldn't it make more sense to chat locally so at least if you find someone you can actually meet up and have lunch or something? I can't convince her of this!

[Orrex]

1. If she chats at a distance, she limits the damage when the romance falls apart

Additionally, it allows her to commit without actually committing to anything that she wasn't already doing.

About 10 years ago I knew a woman here in Pennsylvania who had an intense, committed relationship with a guy in Russia, followed by an intense, committed relationship with a guy in New Zealand, followed by an intense, committed relationship with a guy in Prague.

Never once did she meet any of these guys in real life, nor did she actually date anyone in real life.


Hey, I'm not knocking it, if the person is able to derive satisfactory interpersonal contact from a relationship like this, but it seems like an effort--deliberate or otherwise--to protect oneself by never having to risk full, real-life commitment.


My $0.02.

[Roon]

3. Trust me, my friend would love to have an LTR and set up housekeeping

with someone. That is why I am so confused why she dates long distance.

[Redstone]

2. Uh, that says that the Internet ain't a place to find love, no matter the hype.

Redstone

[Roon]

4. Good point

but I have know several people who fell in love and hooked up on the Internet.

I met my gentleman friend online two years ago. Wasn't really looking for an LTR just someone I could spend time with and hang out.

Hey Red? What do you think is worse? Trying to find love online or in the bars?

[emdistortion]

5. I found long distance relationships tend to work best at long distances.

Get your friend out there,have some cocktails, then hit the dance floor. Who knows, she might actually befriend someone and things will just take their natural course. Real romances are always much better than long distance ones.