img @ angryharry

Up until recently, the idea of marital infidelity was almost solely a husband issue — women were seen as the poor victims, making dinner, holding the baby, and crying while her husband galavanted about with his secretary, a neighbor, or even his wife’s friend. However, as women are now out of the house as much (if not more) than men, and are no longer held to some Virgin Mary standard, cheating by wives is far more prevalent.

I don’t know the science on it, but I’m pretty sure, based on the basic map of the male brain, that guys generally cheat because they listened to the wrong head’s signals, if you know what I mean. That might have come out in a harsh, anti-male-sentiment type way, but I mean it in the most genuine of ways: a lapse in judgement, clouded by alcohol or an overly acting burst of testosterone and POOF your dude’s in bed with some fairly average looking chick he met in a dark bar. And while I’m not saying women have a more legitimate reason to cheat, I’m pretty sure we have enough scientific evidence to say that women’s emotions tend to rule over their sexual impulses.

Why do women cheat? An article on ModernGhana sums up to the top six (pretty self-explanatory) reasons:

1. Familiarity has bred indifference

2. You’re leading parallel lives

3. The passion has fizzled

4. The fantasy has fizzled

5. Your ego needs a boost

6. It’s payback time

Furthermore, the article says that 55% of women and 60% of men are likely to cheat… pretty high for both sexes, don’t you think?

Would you cheat if you knew you couldn’t get caught? Do you think your partner has cheated? Let us know what you think!

img @ onlinedatinganxiety

It’s hard to believe that just 3 months ago, Match.com celebrated its 15th anniversary. 15! That means there very well could be kids in high school and junior high whose parents met via online dating, an industry that even those of us in it feel is still young.

Once you take a deeper look into the online dating world, though, you’ll see that the advancements are monumental. Just like those kids in high school, the industry has matured, learned from its mistakes, and is growing into its most experimental, innovative stage.

Take DatePro’s past posts about “OppositesConnect” and “FlipMe” dating. No matter our personal opinions, it’s refreshing to see companies looking at dating from various approaches. Though mainstream sites like Match and eHarmony are still succeeding with individuals looking to the long-term, there are finally dating sites which, following the larger trend of society, are opening up to the flirting and casual dating crowd.

What was the turning point? Where did online dating go from a almost embarrassing secret to something that nearly 7 million people have used to meet other? We think it has to do with 2 aspects:

1) Becoming more open-minded

Match and eHarmony, as we said before, are massively successful companies with a great message, but we’ve noticed that more and more dating sites are realizing that its not only the “married within a year” crowd that is experiencing online dating these days. Now those looking for casual relationships can get in on the fun too, with sites like MetroDate and OBC, without having to sign up for sites that push undesired future expectations on its members. Catering to all is one of the surest signs of progress, and the online dating industry is a great example.

2) Taking ourselves less seriously

When online dating was new, we had to make big bold statements, promising big results and guaranteed matches and love at first click. Now we realize that dating sites are just virtual coffee shops and bars. We shouldn’t have to make false claims about your compatability with someone. If someone catches your eye at a bar, you don’t feel cheated if you guys don’t hit it off – you’re just two people meeting looking for a chance at fate (or just fun). The only difference in online dating is you get a bit of a head start — a glimpse at another single’s hobbies and personality, so you can avoid disasters.

These two simple items: both more related to taking a step back thank taking a step forward, are reasons that online dating is still steadily growing more and more popular. And as people realize that their nervousness about online dating is unfounded (with the correct safety precautions), we imagine the only place to go is up!

As a child of the 80s, I listened to my mother blast “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul at least 14 times a day from her tape deck. At the time I just laughed because “MC Scat Cat” and Paula were dancing together? And also MC Scat Cat was a cartoon cat? I don’t know. Needless to say it took quite a few years before the concept of “opposites attracting” became a actual , non-animated thought, when my first boyfriend and I were actually complete opposites, and madly “in love” (as much as two 16 year olds can be).

Now, that relationship fizzled (as any 16 year old’s would) and I’ve always dated people mostly similar to myself since then. I enjoy laughing at the same jokes, liking the same music, and enjoying generally the same lifestyle. However, one can’t deny that occasionally you meet someone you have nothing in common with, and yet you find yourself oddly attracted to them, like they are forbidden fruit, so to speak. These kinds of attractions are generally solely physical, and most likely aren’t successful as a relationship between two people who actually get along. This didn’t stop Larry Wilson from founding OppositesConnect.com, a dating site that goes pretty against the grain. Check it out here, and tell us what you think!

So to answer the question, do opposites attract? We’d have to say yes, they attract, but to they attach? Probably not…

While we understand that it’s his JOB to look good on screen, and that many other peoples’ jobs are dependent on him LOOKING GOOD ON SCREEN, we still think that not being able to hold your own umbrella falls under the category of prissy, self-entitled man-boy. Look at the guy holding the umbrella. THAT is a man.

The point is driven home when you see photos of his female cast mates Leighton Meeter and Blake Lively holding their own non-rainbow colored umbrellas. Apparently they don’t have as much fear for the softness of their hands as Mr. Crawford.

Do you like your men manly? Do you prefer a more feminine guy or a very masculine man? Would you date Chace Crawford for his chiseled face and abs despite his little… um, quirk?

After learning about a woman named Geri Brin in New York, though, I’ve decided I need to call my folks and thank them repeatedly for not being crazy.

Geri created a website called “Date My Single Kid,” from the parent site FabOverFifty, where women can sign up and create dating profiles for their kids. I can’t even read that sentence without feeling physically ill. Apparently, Geri has been trying to set up her 31-year-old son for so long that she believes she’d gotten it to a science, and set up the site to allow other mothers be overbearing and nosy and controlling, too!

Needless to say, her son Colby says, “I can picture her on her death bed . . . choking out the words, ‘Colby, did you call that girl?’ before fading into darkness.” Just the fact that he is picturing her on her death bed gives me the impression that he doesn’t really enjoy her intrusiveness, but he went on to say that hey, he’s a Jewish guy living in New York, and what can we expect?

How would you feel if your mom set up a profile for you on DateMySingleKid.com?

read more at the NewYorkPost

A friend of mine is going through a pretty tough break up that was, for the most part, one-sided.  One sided break ups and unrequited love are responsible for some of pretty heinous crimes, and while there has yet to be any murderous rampages or self-inflicted hate-wounds (that I know of) in this case, there has definitely been a handful of drama-filled moments and psuedo-psychotic behavior.

One question that I have found impossible to answer through this entire ordeal: When a long term relationship ends, who gets the friends? Does each friend have to pick only one to side with? If you hang out with couples, do they have to pick one friend or do they have to play the gender card?

It seems to me that as adults we should be able to share friends without it being a “taking sides” issue. If you were friends with each member of the couple, you shouldn’t have to choose one to side with, just because they broke up. The mentality that you have to choose derives from the idea that a relationship is a catalyst to a new moment in your life — that the before is before and the after is completely different. This doesn’t have to be the truth. A relationship is a moment, just like any other, and shouldn’t determine the rest of your life. Your friends before can still be your friends after, and the same with your ex.

What do you think? Do friends have to choose sides, or can you be one big unhappy, twice-removed family?

img @ api.ning.com

When you’re young (I’m thinking, 15 or 16) and you start dating, it’s quite possibly one of the most exciting times of your life. Not only do you fall in love at the drop of a hat, but you often forget all about the very real potential that this person, your first love, isn’t your only love.

However, resisting the desire to up and get married the second you think you’re in love is the smartest thing you can do. A recent article in The Daily Beast by Anneli Rufus discusses many statistics about the likelihood of divorce, and what is one of the leading causes of divorce? Marrying too young. She says in the article,

If you’re a woman who got married before the age of eighteen, your marriage faces a 48 percent likelihood of divorce within ten years.

Age matters. Study after study shows that the younger the married couple, the riskier the bond. The risk drops to 40 percent for women who married at age eighteen or nineteen, drops further to 29 percent for women who married at age 20 to 24, and drops even further to 24 percent for women who married at age 25 or older.

So slow it down, young ones. This first intense love you’re feeling may feel great, but trust us when we say it won’t be the last!

img @ factoidz

Deciding to take the plunge into online dating can be pretty nerve-racking. You don’t know what to expect, you’re nervous about the prospect of somewhat “blind” dates, and you’ve probably heard horror stories from friends who had disastrous results.

DatePro has been giving advice for months on the best way to online date, common mistakes, and dating faux pas. And although we always say to keep an open mind about your potential dates, there are, in general, a few set rules about who to avoid.

1. Lazy, thrown together profiles

If you’re judging the profile by the photo — and only the photo — because there’s no content, it’s probably not a good start. If they’re only willing to upload the minimum requirements, they probably aren’t really looking for a date. If you’re looking for a fun hook up, head to OBC or AdultFriendFinder. But if you’re on a more serious dating site, steer clear of profiles with no “About Me” or “Who I’d Like to Meet.” Who’s to say they aren’t that lazy in the real world too?

2. Too many mirror shots

You know the ones I’m talking about. Cell phone or camera, minimal clothing, serious face, in the bathroom… These photos were appropriate back in the days of MySpace, but it’s 2010. We have self-timers and shirts these days, why not put both to use when building your dating profile?

3. Not enough photos. At all.

If each of their photos has part of their face obscured, or is extremely blurred or contrasted beyond recognition, they may be hiding something. And while we’ve said before that looks aren’t everything, you probably don’t want to go into the date completely unaware.

4. A whole spiel about their ex, negative or positive

Getting into the only dating world is about moving forward. Taking dating to the next step and becoming someone new: confident, ready to move on, excited to try new things. If the person’s whole profile is either regaling or reviling their ex, it’s probably a sign that no, they aren’t ready to move on.

5. Cookie cutter language

This one is a bit of a toss up. If their profile lists interests like “walking on the beach,” “cuddling,” or “just about anything,” it probably means they are either opinionless… or just too nervous to be opinionated. If its the former, your date will likely be boring, uneventful, and disheartening. However, there is a possibility that its the first. So send them a message, and say, “what REALLY interests you,” and maybe they’ll open up a bit.

Hopefully this helps you on your path to the world of online dating. Good luck!

img @ realitywanted

To be honest, it’s summer, and you should be avoiding TV altogether —  you should be out, working on your bod and your brain, enjoying the single life and loving every minute of it. However, there will be times when you wanna sit on the couch and eat crap and watch TV, and during those times, you should be careful what you watch. So much television today makes the single life seem like a miserable pit where people die of loneliness. Here are DatePro’s top shows you should avoid while single.

1. The Bachelor/ette

These shows are absolutely the worst. They’ve trivialized marriage, made women look like insecure, needy b****es, and have convinced us that love can be forced, scripted, and taped. All false. Don’t watch this show, even if you are in a relationship… but if you’re single — avoid it like the plague.

2. Basically any show on the E! Network

Save for The Soup (which is a DatePro fave), mostly every show on this channel is a disaster for your brain cells and self-esteem. Something about the formula of vapid characters + terrible writing + drama just sucks people in, when it should be pushing them away.

3. Gossip Girl

Awful, awful, awful. Lends to the idea that the only worthwhile people in the world are the rich and attractive. Save yourself the misery.

4. Any soap operas

For obvious reasons, right? They play in the middle of the day (when you could be out for a run, or reading in the park), and they are quite possibly the worst shows in history

5. Man Vs. Food

Or any other show that promotes gluttony and overeating. Watching a show of that style will only prompt you to sit and eat, instead of getting out in the world and enjoying being single!

We all have days when we want to sit and relax with the blinds closed. Although you should do your best to be outdoors, engaging your body and mind- the times you choose to sit and veg should be chosen with thought as well. Travel and science shows, healthy cooking shows, and smart, funny comedies like 30 Rock or Arrested Development, will make you enjoy your relaxed time without rendering your brain

img @ divinecaroline

Being in a long term relationship can be taxing. Although your S.O. is supposed to be your numero uno companion, you often find yourself wondering when you can get a chance to spend some time with friends, or more importantly, alone. However, not all relationships have to be like this. Instead of falling into the usual traps, you can take the road less traveled (Robert Frost reference) and keep your relationship as fresh as the day you took it out of the box (toy reference).

Here are a few of DatePro’s fail safe freshness tips.

1) Call, don’t text

Cell phones have made it possible to be in contact with each other 24 hours a day, which is great… but also terrible. When you text each other while at work or school, while driving to meet them (don’t do that here in CA, it’s illegal), and before you go to bed, you lose appreciation for what it means to hear from them. Put the phone down, and call when you really want to talk. It’ll make those times that much more special.

2) Surprise, surprise

Presents and tangible gifts are awesome, but thoughtful surprises are a million times better. A nice dinner, ready when they show up, a bottle of their favorite wine left on their doorstep, or flowers sent to work, are a small, inexpensive ways to show them  (now that you aren’t texting 100 times a day) that you care.

3) Sex it up!

Do it! Keep it exciting. Do it different ways, different places, at spontaneous times… If your sex life becomes dull, it’s only a matter of time before your love life goes in the same direction. Sex can be the most exciting part of your relationship — if you just have an open mind!

Remember, if things are stale, you can make significant changes to fix the problems. However, it’s not always fixable. It may be time to move on!