It seems more and more people are opting to remain single. Either they feel their time has past or they've just given up meeting someone they connect with. I've met several such people over Chinese New Year, all of whom are nice, sociable, pleasant-looking, financially-stable folk.

I feel the advent of Internet technology has actually isolated more people than others. Peeps are happy to exist online more than offline. Instead of meeting your buddies for dinner, you're chatting on IM to your online friends; instead of joining friends for a movie, you stay home and play World of Warcraft (yes, I have been guilty!). It's easier and more comfortable to stay home than get dressed to go out. We've all been there.

While being friends online helps you connect with people, it doesn't give the warmth that meeting real people does. Numerous independent studies have shown that being with friends is one of the best indicators of happiness.

Now, as with any technology, it can be utilised for your benefit. You can meet people online and see if you like and trust the person enough to meet offline. Certainly, care must be exercised in such endeavours as well as a dose of skepticism, and always bring a friend along to meet up with your offline friend in a public place.

There are plenty of online dating sites, most of which you need to pay to join. But there are a few free dating services you can sign up with to see what it is all about. You'll never know when the ONE is just a click away. If not, you'll have made yet another friend.

This is a sponsored post by JustSayHi. The author notes that social networking online can be a delightful experience but laments that her single cats have had more success in this endeavour than she obviously has.

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