Web Daters Self-Promote Via Video

by Elizabeth Narins

A mediocre-looking guy recently approached my sister, a hesitant JDate subscriber, online. After a brief chat, the strangers decided to take things to the next level. Sex? No. Facebook? Yes. They exchanged names and allowed the inter-network stalking to begin.

A day or so later, my sister burst into laughter at a Facebook message she’d received—a video message from the JDate boy. Playing the piano and singing (in a surprisingly good voice, I might add) he began: “Here I am writing strange girls messages via video, via song, but only because you looked like someone I’d like to talk to more.”

His performance was as lame as the online dating scene itself—not a far cry from a singles bar, where you go with the intention of meeting people and get creeped out when strangers hit on you. The performance was funny, honest, and apparently effective. Two verses and a bridge later, my sister had responded with a request to meet in person.

MSNBC.com reports that there are over 40 million potential mates online. With options mounting as online dating grows in popularity, and only seven nights a week to actually meet people, an affinity for long walks on the beach is no longer adequate information to secure a date; it is becoming increasingly common for online daters to increase their appeal through creativity.

While the JDater’s serenade may have been shot down by Esquire.com—which recognizes a profile-rapping bachelor on it’s five worst online dating video profiles—we say if an online dater wants to ruin his or her own chances, go ahead. At least after watching a person in action, you know that what you see is what you’re going to get.