I heard this happened quite a bit through the years since mid-90s. I didnt get online till oh... November 1998. That is quite a bit of time ago. Well, at first, I loved that idea to find someone rather than in my hometown because it is a dying city and everyone is moving away.
1999 was a great year for me to meet so many ladies in person after meeting them online. In fact, 9 of them! Both hearing and deaf. Okay.. I learned a lot through that year. Quickly I had to guarded myself with unexpected. First one I met online sounded my type. But in person, whoa!! Very different! Too much of this personality she was! Doesnt fit my need. Then I went on.. But I didnt find any attractions through them except for one I really liked. But I felt a conflict of interest: she worked for an insurance company the same one I have as my provider. She is an investigator for fraud. I did not want her to see my records! Its more of "what if" stuff. I disliked that so I had to lose a good one! Then it gotten harder when 2000 came around and beyond. Oh boy. Dating online gotten bad... many frauds and too many Filippinas and Africans were after me. I did NOT want a foreigner! Too costly after reading Life Magaine in 1993 or 94 about a guy who spend thousands of dollars and sold off his things just to fly over to Russia for love. He found her and paid her way here PLUS her family!! Oh brother! Do not get me wrong. I love Filippinas. Beautiful women! I thought it would be better to go to events outside of my hometown and meet the ladies FIRST before chatting online. I thought correct and very cautious this way. Why? I have proof.
I went to a SBCD conference in West Palm Beach, Fla in 2001 and met someone who is so wonderful. We enjoyed our week and really gotten to know each other in person. Enough to chat online daily. We did! We got engaged few months later. Then January, I moved from Central NY to Miami where she lives. Things did not work out because I had hard time finding a job in that city. Too many Latino recruiters with more of a preference: latinos! I was told by many people. That was wrong of people down there. Well, that harmed our relationship. I loved her very much. I know she did too but I can not go further--too personal for you all to know. So, I wanted to get back home to Central NY where I am now. My family is here.
The Miami Deaf woman did nothing bad herself. It was just bad timing I think.
I felt overstayed by staying 2 extra months too long down there and wanted to go back. I wanted to make new friends with deaf people in my hometown. Another long story why I am not with the deaf people I grew up with. Anyway, a friend thought I should meet this deaf woman from CT and I didnt really wanted someone from another state again. I do not want to move after what I went through. Started to hate online dating. Still refuse to do so. Well, I gave her a chance and I felt funny about her. I mean something not right. We met in person and she wasnt what I expected. Shes attractive but act bit off color if you get my meaning. You see, I am a Christian and I prayed to God about her to see if I am to marry her. God told me no after I fasted for 3 days. So, I had to dump her. She STALKED me for almost a year and half!
She even came up and wanted another chance. One day she was with me visiting my mom and her bf and the bf's cousins who came up from NC. I havent seen the cousins for 18 years and this cousin I havent seen has grown up and I complimented her. Because of that, that stalker got really upset by blowing her temper! I said thats enough and kicked her to the bus station. She went home like that!
Then in early 2004, she really stalked me by telling other women I have a gf which I didnt and I was trying to meet women locally online. She really destroyed my opportunity. It was so bad because the ladies told me about her! How did they?? She must have spied through chat rooms etc.. Well, it was bad that I had to call the cops and they called the cops in CT to tell her to stop it! She bad mouthed me to my other friends from Mich and Miami! I lost quite a bit of friends because they "believed" her! Gosh!
So, from 2004 on, I gave one more chance with a hearing woman but her faith didnt match to mine so I am done with online dating. I switched to in person searching but about to give up the following month after calling the cops. I had it with how bad dating scene is.
I know this is long. In fact, I wrote my script for a book on my dating experience. I can not tell you what the ending of my book is about. That is for you to find out. I am online here to give advice or talk shop about designing, drafting, or art.. trying to get business. That is what I am doing these days. I am done searching. I rather to do things because I am 42 and dont want to regret anything that I didnt get to do before I am old.
Thanks for listening to his lengthly post.