Dating is a ritual that dates back thousands of years. There has always been this strange courtship between a man and a woman (or a man and a man; or a woman and a woman; but for the sake of discussion, we’re going to keep this to just the man and woman) A courtship which has transcended generations, transcended logic and reason and kept florists, Italian restaurants, and Russell Stover’s in business and will continue to, for thousands of years to come.

Whether you live in a big city or a small town there are dating services available to you. One of the oldest, still most used, and very reliable is the classifieds. These are people who genuinely want to meet people. People in classifieds typically live in your area and you’d need to meet them in short order as there’s nothing to go on but the grey and black. People who get together in online classifieds tend to perhaps be not as honest and more prone to in the very least misrepresent themselves physically; at the most salacious, not only lie to you about who they are and their intent but also try and take your money or personal property in the intervening period.

So needless to say you need to be wary of online dating, chat rooms, and people who send you pictures of beautiful women or men along with notes which include things like “I want to marry you! – I’ve got a great business opportunity - I just need money!” It may sound like juvenile stuff, but of course they’ll word their requests with many more verbs and adjectives than I just did.

Adult dating is typically dealt with exclusively by these dating services. Not only once you’ve submitted your profile and information to these sites will you have a wealth of information and other member’s profiles available for your perusal, but you’ll also have access to a database of dating tips and advice.

If you’re more traditional and are not looking to meet someone online, you can try singles bars, social activities, even malls or activities where there’ll be a lot of people socializing. If you’re a member of a club or group where singles tend to find themselves, this is another perfect spot to find dating bliss. If you’re young enough to still be in college or have returned to pursue a second degree, finish your first, or want to go after your masters, this is another great opportunity to go after what you love and try to find love.

Another great place to find dates or even more serious marital contenders is church functions. While Christian dating isn’t exactly “sexy,” there are some plusses. For example, when you’re there you’ll certainly have something to talk about (“Got God?”) and you can find out someone’s true beliefs in matters of faith to make sure you’re compatible on this big, often times unspoken issue, at the forefront.