A friend sent me a link to this dating site she had found, CleverDate. Basically, from what I understand is that you bid for a first date. Yep, you read that correctly. Men have to PAY to go on a first date with you.
This is copied from their site:
OUR RESEARCH SHOWS WHY CLEVERDATE REALLY WORKS!
After surveying a large number of women, we have found most women prefer to be paid for a first date. For those women who get paid, it rules out those men who are not suited to them, that are well off and hence really committed to taking the first steps.
If you are a man looking for a classy, elegant, stylish lady, then you would appreciate how much time and effort they expend on a date to meet you. Offering them a price for a date does not make them a paid date. You are simply offering them a price that substitutes the efforts they invest to please and make the best impression on you. Start your search now, and see who is waiting for your offer!
At first, I thought this site was a joke, but sadly, it is not. My British friend asked me what I thought about it. I told her that we had a term for this in America. We call it prostitution.
The website adamantly insists that they are not an escort service, not a mail-order bride business, nor a prostitution ring or a place to “buy a guy or girl for erotic purposes.” Their logo has a heart with dollar signs in it, so, really, isn’t that what they are promoting?
I am appalled.
This is kind of how I feel about eHarmony (but not totally.) On one hand, paying shows you’re committed. On the other, I think women should be pursued and not have to pay to be on the site.
I was explaining the cost to my best friend last night, and she said, “Why not just pay for a month? What if you meet someone?” I explained a month is $60 or you can sign up for a year for $120 (ish). She said, “Well, that’s a fantastic way to rob someone.” AND IT’S TRUE.