<i>That said, I&#x27;m totally not surprised by your observation about Facebook events. It&#x27;s more natural to meet people like that, without prior obligations. People tend to be more open, and conversations more genuine. Especially if this is a topical event, you automatically have people pre-selected for interest compatibility. Just like money can be detrimental to the projects of passion, on-line dating seems like &quot;trying too hard&quot;, compared to casual meetup. I tried using a dating service once, and such dates actually felt to me more like a business transaction than a meeting of strangers. But then again, I&#x27;m shy, I prefer going the roundabout way :).</i><p>Honestly, I&#x27;m starting to think this is just true of dating in general. &quot;First dates&quot; are awkward. The original article is not wrong about blind dates. It&#x27;s hard to really get comfortable with someone when you&#x27;re just thrust into this 1-on-1 scenario with nothing to go on and all manner of confusing social expectations.<p>Really, I think it&#x27;s just important to keep your options open, meet plenty of people in social situations when you can, and learn to find that balance when you do meet someone who strikes you of seeing where it can lead in a natural way.<p>Because for me, at least, all I really am looking for is someone compatible and fun to spend time with, and that part&#x27;s a lot easier to establish and find out before you start putting labels on things and everyone gets spooked.