LoveIntros

Internet Dating and Matchmaking 2010

Yesterday was Valentine's Day in the US and to a lesser degree in Colombia. Although Valentine's Day is not a traditional Colombian Holiday, this day is becoming more and more known and accepted within Colombian culture. And my **guess** would be that Colombian women are behind this surge in popularity in addition to the floral industry in Colombia. =) 

I normally get my US news from internet sources since i live in Colombia. I ran across a CNN video entitled "Online Matchmaking Warning" which focused on the online matchmaking phenomenon and some of its dangers. Yes, i did mention "dangers".

Much to its discredit, the video only pointed out a few common sense tips, and only 1 real warning which people should be reminded of as it relates to international marriage agencies. First, you must be very clear in what your goal is. If you are truly interested in marriage, then a marriage agency is appropriate for you. If you are looking for prostitutes and physical encounters only, then you should be perusing through those types of websites.

Common Sense Issues #1: The Age Gap a.k.a. "Arm-Candy"

I often times get asked my opinion on the topic of older, more mature Western gentleman having relationships, either boyfriend-girlfriend/fiancés/spouses, with women much younger than them. The typical ages asked about are usually men between the ages of 45-70, and ages 18-25 for the women. Western “standards” or norms are quite well known, and it is definitely not the norm to have a 20+ age difference in the US. Colombian women, on the other hand, place a higher value on the character, personality, and love factor within a relationship, than on the chronological years of the man. Within Colombia, one can see such couples walking together hand in hand, who obviously have an age gap of more than 20 years, and in some instances, 30-40 year differences. However, there is a segment of Colombian society which also frowns upon such relationships, just as it is frowned upon in Western cultures.