That's the question many people are asking these days. Gone are the days where we spend hours on the phone learning more about someone from a friend of a cousin who knows the person. Now, we have super tools that can unearth practically any little detail that's been published on the web. Yeah, we have the power to sift through these online details, but does that mean we should? Is checking out him or her on sites like Google™, Facebook™ and Twitter crazy stalking or crazy-smart?
The Plus Side
According to an article on CNN.com, if it's on the Internet then it's public knowledge. Searching online before a date may take a little of the mystery out of a first date, but it can also uncover something that you really need to know. For example, in 2004, a New York City woman "Googled" her date only to find an FBI warrant out for his arrest. He had been dodging the law for nearly a year, stemming from stealing $100,000. When she decided not to turn up to dinner that Saturday, the Feds agreed to take her spot. This example is pretty extreme, but it does prove that by taking an innocent peek at someone's online information, it's possible to avoid a dangerous or awkward situation. It can also help you find areas that you have in common, leading to less awkward silences and more engaging conversation during the date.
The Downside
The downside of doing a pre-date search? No matter how you phrase it, admitting to engaging in an online hunt for info has the potential to seem a little like an invasion of privacy. Plus, people often share the same name, so the John Smith you're looking for may be a different one than the guy who has three DUIs. Online "researching" can also take some of the fun out of real human interaction. When your date starts launching into how she backpacked across Europe last year, you could lose interest because you've already seen every picture and read all of the captions. Another pitfall is misconception. That picture of her with a bunch of guys last weekend could be her cousins or siblings, not her potential suitors. The stuff you're seeing may not even be accurate or updated, so don't let a small, preconceived notion become a deal breaker before you meet the person in the flesh.
The Facts and Figures
Sacrificing a little spontaneity is a price 43% of single adults are willing to pay, according to a 2007 survey on dating service It's Just Lunch®. In fact, it appears socially acceptable since 88% of the respondents said they wouldn't be offended if their date did the same thing. The stats of being "Googled" are even higher now as 70% of women and 63% of men admitted to "Googling" their potential partners before a date in a recent study by magazines Shape and Men's Fitness. While Google doesn't keep stats on who's "Googling" for love, company spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez says it's a practice that makes incredible sense because "it's helping people find information they need".
Google Yourself to See What's Out There
Before you "Google" your date, try searching your name. Is everything you find relevant or accurate? Your date's information probably has the same issues. Yet, it's important to be aware of what information is linked to your name because these findings can influence opinions relating to jobs, admissions and more. By seeing what the results bring up, you can help eliminate any embarrassing forgotten data you've created, like a blog that complains about an ex (or worse, an old boss) or a forgotten MySpace profile from your middle school years. Searching also helps polish your online presence for future jobs and internships and gives you a clean slate in case others decide to search for your history on the "interwebs".
Playing Sherlock Before Date Night?
If you are inclined to stop stressing and start snooping, here are some tips to follow:
- Set some guidelines: If you're looking for run-ins with the law or any obvious signs of lying, stop at that.
- Don't spend the whole night going through last year's pictures and wall posts.
- Unless you find something that makes you uncomfortable, scared or have a bad gut feeling, don't miss out on the date because of something trivial. You could be missing out on someone great.
- If you're avoiding "Googling" because something feels off, it's better to know than stay in the dark. Denial could come back to bite you later.
That's the question many people are asking these days. Gone are the days where we spend hours on the phone learning more about someone from a friend of a cousin who knows the person. Now, we have super tools that can unearth practically any little detail that's been published on the web. Yeah, we have the power to sift through these online details, but does that mean we should? Is checking out him or her on sites like Google™, Facebook™ and Twitter crazy stalking or crazy-smart?
The Plus Side
According to an article on CNN.com, if it's on the Internet then it's public knowledge. Searching online before a date may take a little of the mystery out of a first date, but it can also uncover something that you really need to know. For example, in 2004, a New York City woman "Googled" her date only to find an FBI warrant out for his arrest. He had been dodging the law for nearly a year, stemming from stealing $100,000. When she decided not to turn up to dinner that Saturday, the Feds agreed to take her spot. This example is pretty extreme, but it does prove that by taking an innocent peek at someone's online information, it's possible to avoid a dangerous or awkward situation. It can also help you find areas that you have in common, leading to less awkward silences and more engaging conversation during the date.
The Downside
The downside of doing a pre-date search? No matter how you phrase it, admitting to engaging in an online hunt for info has the potential to seem a little like an invasion of privacy. Plus, people often share the same name, so the John Smith you're looking for may be a different one than the guy who has three DUIs. Online "researching" can also take some of the fun out of real human interaction. When your date starts launching into how she backpacked across Europe last year, you could lose interest because you've already seen every picture and read all of the captions. Another pitfall is misconception. That picture of her with a bunch of guys last weekend could be her cousins or siblings, not her potential suitors. The stuff you're seeing may not even be accurate or updated, so don't let a small, preconceived notion become a deal breaker before you meet the person in the flesh.
The Facts and Figures
Sacrificing a little spontaneity is a price 43% of single adults are willing to pay, according to a 2007 survey on dating service It's Just Lunch®. In fact, it appears socially acceptable since 88% of the respondents said they wouldn't be offended if their date did the same thing. The stats of being "Googled" are even higher now as 70% of women and 63% of men admitted to "Googling" their potential partners before a date in a recent study by magazines Shape and Men's Fitness. While Google doesn't keep stats on who's "Googling" for love, company spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez says it's a practice that makes incredible sense because "it's helping people find information they need".
Google Yourself to See What's Out There
Before you "Google" your date, try searching your name. Is everything you find relevant or accurate? Your date's information probably has the same issues. Yet, it's important to be aware of what information is linked to your name because these findings can influence opinions relating to jobs, admissions and more. By seeing what the results bring up, you can help eliminate any embarrassing forgotten data you've created, like a blog that complains about an ex (or worse, an old boss) or a forgotten MySpace profile from your middle school years. Searching also helps polish your online presence for future jobs and internships and gives you a clean slate in case others decide to search for your history on the "interwebs".
Playing Sherlock Before Date Night?
If you are inclined to stop stressing and start snooping, here are some tips to follow:
- Set some guidelines: If you're looking for run-ins with the law or any obvious signs of lying, stop at that.
- Don't spend the whole night going through last year's pictures and wall posts.
- Unless you find something that makes you uncomfortable, scared or have a bad gut feeling, don't miss out on the date because of something trivial. You could be missing out on someone great.
- If you're avoiding "Googling" because something feels off, it's better to know than stay in the dark. Denial could come back to bite you later.