A general view of online dating and in particular Irish dating online.

The best looking people in Ireland are to be found at opposite ends of the country according to a new survey from Maybefriends.com.
Almost 1 in 3 respondents (29%) named men from Cork as the most attractive while 27%of the people surveyed voted women from Belfast the best looking in the country.
With men like Cillian Murphy, Sean Og O hAilpin and Jonathan Rhys Myers you have to admit that Cork does have its fair share of good looking men and Belfast also does well with women like TV presenter Christine Bleakley and the singer Katie Melua. But these days geography matters less and less. With facebook and twitter you can stay in touch with friends and family no matter where they are…and with online dating you can meet likeminded people from all over the country.
If you are going out on the pull then you are best heading to Limerick as the south west city was selected as the best city in the country for pulling. While Kilkenny was named top city for both hen nights (23%) and stag nights (22%).
Over a quarter of people (26%) selected Dublin as the best city for a first date and also named it as the most fashionable but perhaps unsurprisingly the capital was also voted the most expensive to go out in by 25% of respondents.
Waterford was named as the city that was the best value for money for a night out and Galway was named at the city that was the most fun.

All of Ireland’s cities have something to offer the country's singletons. Whether it is a great night out in Galway, a fantastic stag night in Kilkenny or a brilliant first date in Dublin. The great thing about online dating is that it does not stay online. The end result will always be getting out there, meeting people and having fun.

Labels: Belfast, dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford

I just read online about an article in OK magazine where Katy Perry, in my opinion summed up what us women really want in a man when she described what attracted her fiance Russell Brand:

"His eye for detail was so impeccable, he made me realise he was listening and understanding me completely and wanted to jump into my world."

Doesn't that sum up what we are all after. Someone who actually listens to you and cares about what you say. Understands what you mean and wants to be part of it.
I presume that men want this as well but I can't speak for them on this one.
Katy went on to say...

"I have always been open to someone who would really challenge me emotionally, spiritually and mentally and he really covers those bases"

Again I agree - while we want men to listen and understand us we don't want them necessarily to accept what we say. It is much more interesting when whey challenge our beliefs and opinions. And when there is a major disagreement over a subject be it emotional, spiritual or intellectual there is always the universally loved "making up" after it!

Do men think the same? I'd love to hear from some guys on this subject.

Labels: Fiance, katy Perry, Love, Russell Brand

Following our latest survey about holiday romances, here's what we discovered:

• 76% believe a holiday romance can turn into something long term
• We would most like to have a holiday romance with somebody Irish
• 62% would not tell a partner if they had a fling on holiday
• 28% admit to being less selective while on holiday
• 3% say they married the person they had a holiday romance with.
• Men more likely to stay in touch.
The Irish are more for summer loving than sunshine flings

76% of respondents told Maybefriends.com that they believed that a holiday romance could turn into a long term relationship. With 17% of people declared they go on holiday looking for love and 68% saying they would be open to romantic opportunity.
However over one in four, 28% admitted they are less selective when on holidays with men more likely to move away from their usual "type". 36% of men said they would be less restrictive in their choice of partner whereas that is the case with 16% of women.
I think that Holiday romances are all part of the fun of going on holidays. People are more relaxed and more open to the opportunity of meeting somebody new. In reality of course you can meet a partner absolutely anywhere and you should always be receptive to romance. I thought it was interesting that a quarter of people were less selective in their choice of partner on holidays. Sometimes we box ourselves in with a checklist for a potential partner and removing those constraints can be a good thing.
59% of respondents revealed that they had holiday romances in the past. Off those who had holiday romances nearly half 46% said they kept in touch after the holiday ended.
And the figures show that men are much more likely to stay in touch than women. Of the people who stay in contact with a holiday romance 53% are men and 38% of women.
31% of respondents kept in touch for a month, 24% for a year and 28% for longer than a year. 3% of respondents ended up married to their holiday romance and that 3% were all men.
Two thirds of people would not confess to their partner if they had a fling on holiday. 62% of respondents would keep any dalliances quiet. With men more likely to stay silent that women 65% of men said they would not confess all compared with 60% of women.
Respondents would most like to have a holiday romance with other Irish people according to the Maybefriends.com survey. The Irish topped the most popular nationality chart with both men and women with well over a third (35%) next up were the English with 15% and the Americans with 10%.
Yet once Maybefriends.com examined the second choice nationality for men and women an interesting anomaly was revealed with 20% of Irish men picking English women and 14% of Irish women going for Italian men.
Maybefriends.com Holiday Romance Checklist
1. Everything is quicker on holidays, all the normal dating rules are on fast forward - don't be too subtle if you are interested you need to let the other person know.
2. By the same token choose sensibly. For example if you are on a cruise don't have a fling on your first night and spend the rest of the holiday hiding. Think before you act.
3. Consider carefully about exchanging contact details. Is Juan the waiter really a long term prospect? Sometimes it is better to enjoy fond holiday memories untarnished by annoying reality.
4. Remember everyone behaves differently on holiday and that will include the object of your affections too. Day to day reality can be totally different.
5. Make your intentions known early on. If you are sure this is only going to be a bit of fun for your two weeks in the sun then be fair, let the other person know.
6. If it is not working out then move on with good grace and good manners. Just because you are on holidays does not mean you can be cruel.
7. It can be a good opportunity to move away from your usual checklist of what you want in a partner; maybe the checklist is holding you back.
8. Don't forget the people you came on holiday with. If you came with a group of friends remember to spend time with them, don't just disappear off into the sunset for the duration of your holiday.
9. Don't forget protection. An STI is one kind souvenir you don't want.
10. Remember you don't have to leave home to find romance; you just need to be open to new opportunities.

Festivals are part and parcel of every Summer. From high brow to low brow, trad to metal there is a festival out there for everyone. And even better they are a great way to meet new people.

With Oxegen about to get underway this weekend Maybefriends.com has compiled its top ten tips to striking the right note with the opposite sex at this summers festivals.
1. Apply sun screen.
A big red face is not attractive. You are going to be outside all day, don't think you'll put it on when it get hot. Put it on the minute you get there and carry sun screen with you during the day

2. Stay in Touch
what could be worst then meeting the man or woman of your dreams and not being able to get their number? Take an old mobile phone and a spare battery or buy an emergency portable charger

3. Take a torch
A torch can help you find your way back to your tent in the dark and can also make sure you don't end up somewhere you don't want to be! Take a small one and carry it with you all day. Even better still buy a wind-up torch, no need for batteries that create extra weight.

4. Brush your teeth.
All those noodles and beer can play havoc with your breath. You don't have to queue just take a swig of water, put some toothpaste in your mouth, stick your toothbrush in and brush away. Simple and Quick and instantly kissable.

5. Don't stink
Smelly isn't fanciable. Those festival favourites a packet of baby wipes can save the day.

6. Don't be a snob
So what if he or she doesn't like the same music as you? Don't dismiss somebody with different taste, it is all about enjoyment.

7. Look good.
A festival isn't a nightclub. Yes, you want to look good but try to combine trendy with practical. Wellies and hoodies are more or less mandatory. Blue and shivery doesn't work for anyone.

8. Bring 2 bags
As well as your main rucksack, it is a good idea to take a smaller lightweight one to carry all your bits around with you during the day i.e. your torch, small water bottle, wipes etc.

9. Remember your friends
All those people you came to the festival with? Don't just dump them at the first sign of Mr or Miss Right. Let them know where you are and who you are with and when you'll be back.

10. Recover then meet up.
If you do meet somebody at a festival and you want to see them again then wait until you are both fully recovered and meet up for a date that doesn't involve mud, music or tents. It will be a good way of finding out if you truly are meant to be together.

Well I braved the camera this week and made a new video about online dating - let me know what you think. Nice comments only please!!

Labels: online dating video, youtube

I just got the best ever dating tips sent to me so I thought I should share them with you - you won't go far wrong if you follow this advice boys!!!

Ken's Dating Tip 1
Ken's Dating Tip 2
Ken's Dating Tip 3

Let me know how you get on if you use any of these tactics!

Labels: dating tips

Irish people expect to Score in the World Cup 2010

• 64% of people think that World Cup is an excellent way to meet people
• 56% happy to go on a first date to a pub to watch the World Cup.
• 74% of women say they will be watching the World Cup
• Rugby the sport that produces the most dateable people.
Ireland might not be in the World Cup but Irish people are still expecting to score according to our latest MaybeFriends.com survey.
Over two thirds of respondents (64%) believe that socializing around the World Cup is an excellent way to meet someone while 56% say they would be happy to go on a first date to watch a World Cup game in the pub.
A whopping 79% of respondents say they will be watching the World Cup with 84% of men and 74% of women saying they intend to watch the global tournament.
The World Cup is one of the biggest global sporting events and it is a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and enjoy themselves. It is great to see that women are looking forward to the World Cup almost as much as men which relegates that tired old cliché of women being football widows during the tournament.
Despite the growing anticipation for kick off the survey revealed that Rugby beat football as the sport that produces the most dateable people. A third of respondents (30%) choose Rugby, followed closely by soccer 17% and Gaelic football in third place 13%.
One in four of respondents also ranked Rugby as the sport where you were most likely to meet a potential date (either playing or watching). Soccer and Gaelic tied for second place with 12% followed closely by the gym at 11%.

I believe that sport is always a great way to meet people, either playing it or watching it. However, our own homegrown Rugby stars like Brian O Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe perhaps explain why people think rugby produces the most dateable people! The huge salaries of some premiership footballers might explain their presence but I am thrilled to see that GAA has pulling power for the opposite sex too.
49% of respondents say they participate in Sport with 25% saying they did n't and 26% admitting they rarely did. 65% of people say they attend sporting events and 80% say they watch sporting events on the television. And for some all this sporting activity pays off. One in four of respondents had met a partner through playing/participating in sport and another quarter met someone through watching sport.

Labels: football, rugby, score, soccer, world cup