Love it, hate it: why technology has changed dating forever

For single men and women everywhere, technology has undoubtedly made dating more accessible in many ways, providing avenues for meeting people that were previously nonexistent. You probably know someone who has tried online dating, and maybe you've done so yourself; you might even know of success stories for those who've met and gotten married, had children and gone on to encourage their single friends to "just give it a try. You never know!"

The question is, has technology made things too easy? Are we a generation that's always looking for the next best thing?

Case in point: the last date I went on resulted from an online dating site, and actually, the majority of dates I've gone on in the past year have come about in the same manner. When this guy first sat down next to me, I nearly had to pick up my jaw off the floor. He was handsome in a Matt Damon way; had a strong, confident voice...let's just say he lived up to his profile pictures.

However, as the date went on, I began to feel as though I was on a job interview, and there was no way I was getting hired.

He dragged out every uncomfortable question in the book, from asking about my ex (my son's father) to asking about my religion. I felt like I should have also had my high school yearbook along on the date so I could flip back to those awkward teenage years when I wore my hair in a loose bun to school every day.

Needless to say, he had an agenda, and I quickly discovered he wouldn't be calling me back for a second look. At the same time, I wasn't too upset about it. He revealed some unpleasant personality traits, with quips such as:

• That he had learned not to take his dates out to dinner because evidently that was a waste of time and money if it didn't work out; instead he preferred a drink (by the way, we had exactly one glass of wine each and nothing more)
• That he hated when women would post only a headshot, because that must mean they're overweight
• That women in OC were too plastic for him (but nevermind his comment about headshots, apparently)
• That women were just trying to secure their Valentine's dates and were therefore showing an increase in emailing activity on the dating site

Need I say more?

The thing is, he had turned technology into a reason to quickly move on to the next woman when the one before him didn't entirely meet his lofty expectations. In fact, near the end of the date, he actually had the gall to begin looking at his cell phone, checking for messages, as if I wasn't even sitting there anymore. He has a vision in his mind of a "perfect" woman, and he probably won't stop looking for her.

And he'll never find her, because she doesn't exist.

I've been guilty of passing on a guy too quickly because I think there's someone better around the online dating corner. But more and more, I'm realizing that when I take the time to see past the awkward first phone call, the little quirks that make a guy human, I can settle down and actually enjoy the date.

I love the technology that allows me to make time for dating even in the midst of my hectic life. And I believe if I give it the time it deserves, my dating experiences will allow me to find the One I'm meant to be with.

As for my job interview friend, chances are, he's on to his next candidate. I haven't heard from him since. What he doesn't know is that I would never settle for a relationship with someone like that...not for me, and not for my son.

Thankfully, I don't have to.