Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace gives us online dating humor – and horrors

By Rinsky

Thinking back to our high school English teachers, we may wonder what the heck they would know about online dating. Or dating at all, for that matter.

But Dianne Sweeney, a Marana native who now teaches high school English in California, has learned enough about the online dating scene to write a whole book about it.

Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace chronicles some of her humorous – and downright disastrous – online dating experiences. Sweeney was sweet enough to give us some of her insider knowledge.

Like the best way to go about online dating.

“You have to be yourself,” she said. “Do not lie about your weight, age, height. Be yourself.”

She also cautions not to take others at face value.

“Do NOT give people your personal address until you have met them a couple of times,” she warned in an e-mail. “Everybody is on his/her best behavior the first couple of dates. However, it won’t take long for their true colors to show if they are hiding anything.”

One guy who showed up 30 minutes late after Sweeney took a 45-minute drive to meet him, might have been better off hiding the truth.

“He apologized profusely and I asked what happened,” Sweeney said. “He said his mom wouldn’t let him out of the house until he walked his dog. He was 41 years old. The date went downhill from there.”

She did find a keeper through her online experiences. “He was sweet, funny, and enjoyed life,” she said. “He was very respectful.”

Unfortunately, his job didn’t keep him local and their relationship did not survive being a long distance romance.

“Don’t get frustrated,” is advice she both gives and follows. “Try a few different sites, and just have fun and laugh.”

Sweeney started online dating since she’s a busy woman. In addition to teaching English, she makes time for biking, reading and enjoying time with her favorite cat Scout.

“I thought (online dating) might be one way to find a Harry for my Sally,” she said. “I am still waiting.”

But she’s not giving up.

“Don’t get discouraged,” she repeats. “Dating is hell, and we are all out there.”

Source: tucsoncitizen.com