June 3, 2008

Realistic Expectations are Key to Online Dating Success

Virtual dating system helps internet daters adjust their expectations and improve their chances of a real world match.

A Harvard study suggests that expectations adjustment is the secret to success in dating. Getting to know each other in the virtual environment before meeting in person helps singles adjust their expectations to realistic levels. The study found that people who had met on a virtual date before meeting in person had more positive experiences on actual dates.

Dr. Igor Kotlyar, CEO of a virtual dating company, www.OmniDate.com, agrees: “Realistic expectations are key to online dating success.”

Expectation adjustment has been found to be the key to success in a number of pursuits. An entire book has been written on Tiger Woods mental preparation. Famed basketball coach, Phil Jackson, claims mental prep was his winning secret with the L.A. Lakers and coaching Michael Jordan to 6 NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. Now, research confirms that a similar concept applies to dating success.

“Virtual Dates constitute an effort to bring these strategies to online dating, allowing people to try each other on to see whether they fit with each other, simulating their lives together before they ever meet,” said the study.

OmniDate, a virtual dating application, confirms the findings. “Our members love the ability to get to know each other before meeting face-to-face. Our product is dedicated to helping people meet the right person in reality by using virtual reality,” said Kotlyar.

According to the Harvard study, people who just meet online experience a let-down when the actual face-to-face meeting happens. With just a profile and a couple of emails, their expectations rise too high, the study says. However, the same research team found that people who go on virtual dates first tend to like each other more when they meet in-person and have more successful live dates.

“Virtual dating is a great opportunity to get to know the real person. There is no lag time to think of that perfectly clever comment in virtual dating. You are who you are in that moment. And frankly, people like you better when they do meet you,” said Kotlyar.

OmniDate provides a series of fun virtual sets: a lounge, a resort, a bar and a restaurant. When people are on a virtual date, their virtual characters move automatically at the touch of a keyboard. The couple can virtual laugh, flirt, and even touch. A video screen appears where the couple can play get-to-know-you games, which further stimulate conversation.

Thousands of members on OmniDate meet in virtual settings before meeting in person. Results of the Harvard study suggest that these singles enhance their chances of winning at the dating game.

About OmniDate

OmniDate utilizes the latest in virtual technology to create dating scenarios to introduce people to each other. The setting may be a lounge, a restaurant or a resort, with games to help further the mission of getting to know someone new. The goal of OmniDate is to take the dating experience from the small computer screen to the bigger screen of life. The company was founded by husband and wife team, Igor Kotlyar, Ph.D. and Ravit Abelman. The beta site launched in 2008 and OmniDate is based in Toronto. #####