Okay, so by now it’s no longer taboo to say you met your significant other on the Internet. My wife and I met online and so have a number of people we know. Match.com, eHarmony, the Web sites are as much a part of our vocabulary these days as lounge, bar, and set-up.
But for many, Match and eHarmony aren’t specific enough. New-agers, Christians, Jews, Armenians, they all want to meet that special someone of similar background, with similar interests. And they’re not the only ones. Check out these 7 great incredibly specific dating sites I found recently:
By the name of this site, you might think it’s for really smart folk, like you all, or, perhaps, turtles (?). Sadly, it’s actually only for really beautiful people. Because, er, I guess that’s what Charles Darwin spent his life studying? Hmmm. From the copy (note well the two different spellings of the word peak!):
Sick of dating websites filled with ugly, unattractive, desperate fatsos? We are. Attractive people are at a disadvantage on normal internet dating sites. They have to wade through a plethora of ugly people and ugly people pretending to be attractive in order to find someone who matches their own attractiveness. Our strict rules and natural selection process makes Darwin Dating the perfect medium for attractive people to find other people of their own kind.Darwin Dating is a site for 18-35′s only. The male sex drive peaks at 18 and the female sex drive peeks [sic] at 30 making 18-35 the perfect breeding age bracket.
1.
Now this is more like it! The copy is spelled correctly, and quite intriguing, if you ask me: “Is Leia and Captain Kirk your ultimate geek fantasy? Do intellect and offbeat humor equal attraction for you? Congratulations! You are among friends. If you self-identify as a geek, nerd, dork or dweeb then this is the place to make friends, find love or just be appreciated for who you are.”
2. This unusual site takes its name from IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. As the copy proclaims: “The dating scene can be difficult for anyone. But if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s Disease it can be cause of added anxiety and embarrassment. Irritated Being Single is here to aid IBS and Crohn’s Disease sufferers who would like to date but find it difficult to build new relationships due to symptoms that can be beyond their control. There is no better feeling than being with someone who understands exactly what you are going through.”
A little creepy, but still sorta cool, the folks over at ScientificMatch.com use your DNA to maximize the chances of finding chemistry—actual, physical chemistry. Again, some interesting spellings found in the copy: “We faithfully guard your DNA. Your genetic information is never made public—not even you can see it. Our lab never knows whose DNA they’re looking at. We only analyze a very few of your immune system genes—not your whole genetic makeup. And your DNA sample is destroyed after we’re done with it. With all our safeguards, your genetic privacy is more vulnerable when you get a hair cut [sic] and leave the trimmings on the floor!”
4. Not much to say about this one, except, eYikes! (in terms of both copy AND intent):
“We are a Sugar Daddy Matchmaking Service with the goal to bring together successful, rich men [Sugar Daddy] and attractive women who love to be pampered, spoiled and supported. Looking for an Extramarital affair? Find what you really want and join our free adult dating site – Cut to the Chase!”
5. This one seems like a good idea, and I particularly enjoy the funny tagline in the graphic above. Though what’s with the “over 80 athletic activities to choose from” in the copy below? If I decide I’d like to invite my date to a thumb wrestling competition, is my profile removed? Potato sack race?
From the copy: “Over 80 athletic activities to choose from including aerobics, basketball, cycling, martial arts, triathlon, and more. Whether you are looking for friendship, marriage, or an activity partner. You can find what you’re looking for at athletic dating, join today.”
6. This one really made me laugh when I first saw it. I mean, you REALLY have to love your tattoo to use it as the main criteria for finding a date, no?
From the copy:
Love tattoos and piercings? You’re not alone! Share your passion for body art with other women and men. This site enables singles with tattoo designs and body art to meet and enjoy each others company. Tattooed Singles provides a comfortable and intimate environment to safely and conveniently find your perfect soul mate.
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Most of them are cute. The people at the “Darwin Dating” site, on the other hand, seriously need to consider NOT breeding…
posted by Lisa on 2-20-2008 at 6:47 am
My geek husband and I met on Match.com, but I LOVE the “Sweet on Geeks” idea!
One of my students suggested jDate, even though I’m not Jewish. I wondered what I should write as an ad: “Zaftig shiksa looking to disappoint some nice Jewish boy’s grandma”?
posted by lleachie on 2-20-2008 at 7:24 am
At Tattooed Singles you can find your “perfect soul mate.” I wasn’t even aware there were imperfect soul mates, or that you could have more than one. Thanks, Tattooed Singles, for showing me the light!
posted by Kelsey on 2-20-2008 at 7:35 am
Sweet on Geeks is too nifty, if I was single, I would join in a heartbeat. I found my own geek/nerd boy husband on Americansingles.com several years ago.
posted by gwendy on 2-20-2008 at 7:58 am
Who started #1, Hitler? Creepy.
The Sugar Daddy one is scary too.
Let me just take a moment to thank God that I’m not out there anymore.
*thanks!*
posted by mrs.djs on 2-20-2008 at 8:07 am
Nice to know where to go if I’m looking for an extramarital affair and I just can’t seem to find one on my own…
That’s just gross.
posted by Rae Rae on 2-20-2008 at 8:24 am
“Tattooedsingles.com – Hepatitis B? Join the club!”
(I joke, because I actually have 3 tattoos of my own…and no hep)
posted by SpaceMonkeyX on 2-20-2008 at 8:25 am
lleachie – nearly died laughing at your “ad.” I had a Jewish boyfriend who used to call me shiksa all the time. And I totally forgot about the word zaftig! I totally forgot about Yiddish and how much I like it. Thanks for the reminder.
posted by Sarah on 2-20-2008 at 8:28 am
My boss says I’m the biggest geek she knows. I cannot tell you how excited I am about the geek site. I’m a 44-year-old female who made my own version of The War of the Worlds using my collection of classic metal toys. This rocks, it really does. Thank you.
posted by Lisa on 2-20-2008 at 8:36 am
I love the idea of sweet on geeks. Who in their right mind would sign up for either Darwin Dating or Sugar Daddy – ick, ick, ick. I wonder if anyone at Darwin dating ever heard of photo shop.
posted by Amy H. on 2-20-2008 at 8:54 am
The best dating site for geeks is Geek 2 Geek (www.gk2gk.com). It’s got way more members, and a much better ability to search for what you’re looking for.
posted by Beth Henson on 2-20-2008 at 9:04 am
It seems I’m unqualified to use five of the seven sites listed here. Thank goodness!
posted by airship on 2-20-2008 at 9:38 am
These sites are a fantastic find! I find more and more people are moving away from the “general dating” sites and finding the niche sites much more appealing. IBS…now that’s funny!
posted by Trevor on 2-20-2008 at 10:19 am
Then there is the NASCAR specific, Meetmeattheraces.com. It is pretty ridiculous also.
posted by Nick on 2-20-2008 at 10:29 am
Hello,
I’m editing a book project on real-life stories about internet dating on WEbook.com, a user-generated
book publisher. I read your posting and I thought you might be interested
in contributing. The purpose of the book is to compile an anthology of some of the more memorable experiences of dating online, be it happy moments or the most awkward experience of your life!
If you’re interested in writing your story (as you met your wife in this manner) please check out webook.com, or you can contact me at birdytamel@aol.com.
Best,
Tahra
posted by Tahra on 2-20-2008 at 10:41 am
heh. thanks tahra. a version of my online dating story has been published already in my novel BEHIND EVERYMAN (Random House). but thanks for the offer.
posted by David on 2-20-2008 at 10:50 am
I’ve seen a site called marryourdaughter.com (or something close to that). Photos and bios of teenaged girls are posted by their parents and potential husbands bid on the girls, sort of like a dowery. They say it is so matches can be made with men of similar religious, moral, etc values. Some of these girls are 12 and 13 yrs old. There’s even a section that outlines the age of consent by state! Just creepy.
posted by Lynne on 2-20-2008 at 10:58 am
Interesting timing…There was just an article on cnn.com yesterday about farmersonly.com which is a dating site for the obvious
posted by soph on 2-20-2008 at 11:03 am
Lynne,
That website is not real, do a search for it on Snopes.com
No worries, men can’t actually sign up to marry 12 year old girls.
posted by Kelly on 2-20-2008 at 11:25 am
ha ha I read meetmeattheraces.com as “meet meat the races”
posted by Pearl on 2-20-2008 at 11:33 am
Yay! Thanks Mental Floss for the awesome review!!!
We here at SweetonGeeks are busting tail to make the best site for our fellow geeks. Our site is made by REAL geeks who understand the pain of wedgies and being picked last for kickball.
Joyce
President ~ Sweet on Geeks
posted by Joyce Dales on 2-20-2008 at 3:39 pm
*sigh* now if only we could get some sort of “mentalfloss” dating site…you know, just for the cool kids! Pics of members flexing in their skivies…would be severely frowned upon. Just men and women who have a quick wit, above average intelligence, and don’t take themselves (or their tools) too seriously!
posted by ingrid on 2-20-2008 at 6:48 pm
So funny, Ingrid.
posted by Amy H. on 2-21-2008 at 8:03 am
Don’t be jealous of me just because I got into Darwin Dating and you didn’t!
:D
posted by Moon on 2-21-2008 at 9:08 am
Great article. Now you’ll have to write one about “couples sites” like couplets.com! More than 30% of our members met their partner online (match.com, eharmony, j-date, etc.) and are looking for like-minded “couple friends.” Might sound like a Seinfeld episode but you would be surprised to learn how many couples are looking for new friends. Reach out to me if you’d like to learn more about when couples seek new couple friends!
posted by Jay Chalnick on 2-22-2008 at 10:09 am
To be fair, the DNA enthusiasts in #4 may have been referring to the cutting of a single hair. It would be fair to say that they should have then mentioned the “trimming” rather than “trimmings”. To my knowledge, however, no existing law forbids cutting a strand of hair more than once, thus it is possible that multiple cuttings of each hair and a devotion to technically accurate yet intentionally misleading grammatical phrases are the trademarks of this clever group.
posted by El Tigre on 2-26-2008 at 2:49 am
Hey you could also check out a specific dating site which is totaly free – freedateclub.com – specific as in free…
posted by D.L. on 3-2-2008 at 10:35 am
Heh. If I wasn’t actually married, I would check out the tattooedsingles one. Laugh if you want, but it’s a fairly big deal when you have a significant amount of body art. If you don’t buy it, imagine dating and having a long-term relationship with someone that has 90% of their body covered with tattoos, 50+ piercings, and miscellaneous scarification and implantation projects. Can’t? …And that’s why the heavily tattooed might be interested in a dating site like this.
Just sayin’.
(FWIW, my wife has nearly as many piercings as me, and more tattoo coverage. It was a good starting point for both of us.)
posted by Shubniggurat on 3-29-2008 at 3:01 pm
Amish dating website goes bankrupt
“I don’t understand where we went wrong,” says CEO!
posted by PTCLICKER on 8-21-2008 at 11:52 pm
Oh if I were still single I would def check out sweet on geeks!
posted by Fitness Gal on 9-20-2008 at 8:03 am
My friend and his girlfriend met on one of the geek dating websites, and my husband and I met on yahoo personals.
I am definitely pro dating sites :)
posted by Leah on 3-3-2009 at 9:59 am
This was a great post, thank you for that. I still cannot believe that the Darwin site is real, it just seems like once you actually try to get in that something would pop up letting you know how stupid you are to actually try for that.
re-captcha would make an interesting site– the singular
posted by Jennfier on 2-16-2010 at 9:14 am
Just a heads up that the Irritated Being Single site for IBS and Crohn’s patients is actually a scam. There are warnings on a few of the Crohn’s online community pages. Why anyone would be out to scam people with IBS/IBD, I really don’t know…
posted by Abby on 2-16-2010 at 9:46 am
i love the dna one kinda. just cuz it’s so crazy it JUST MIGHT work!
actually, i do love the IBS one. when you look at a profile on match.com you soemtimes wonder, “does this chick have IBS…?”
posted by Nicole on 2-16-2010 at 9:53 am
I love the idea of Sweet on Geeks!
A few years ago, I tried online dating with some hits and lots of misses.
I am happily married to a lovable geek now, but still, I second the motion for a mentalfloss dating site.
I am still friends, to this day, with guys I met online. Purely platonic, though, of course.
posted by J135 on 2-16-2010 at 10:34 am
There used to be one called sciconnect or something like that several years ago. I think it might be the original geek dating website.
reCap: submits Germany’s… France?
posted by Eric on 2-16-2010 at 12:05 pm
I’m with mrs.djs, the Darwin Dating should be called Eugenics Engagements. They’re clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic over there, since they didn’t even get the basis of their namesake’s theories right. Darwin believed that it wasn’t the prettiest, strongest, or even smartest that would survive, but those who could best adapt to change.
And with that, I’m going to set up an account with Sweet on Geeks…
posted by Jessica on 2-16-2010 at 1:31 pm
“With all our safeguards, your genetic privacy is more vulnerable when you get a hair cut [sic] and leave the trimmings on the floor!â€
Yeah, these guys are real scientific. There is no DNA in the trimmings because there is no DNA in hair.
posted by Michael Dufresne on 2-16-2010 at 9:32 pm
I just saw this post, but I was on mental_floss yesterday and an ad came up for Goth Dating. Again, very specific.
posted by JLPatterson09 on 3-11-2010 at 9:39 am
Darwin dating is blocked from my work. Haha. I just wanted to see the ridiculousness.
reCaptcha: deleted never — haha, hopefully eventually!
posted by Anna on 3-11-2010 at 1:05 pm
Combine the Darwin site and the DNA site and you have a problem… but an interesting problem.
posted by tru on 3-11-2010 at 4:54 pm
I met someone on sweetongeeks so huzzah for the geeks and for this article!
posted by Lynsie on 6-12-2010 at 11:15 pm
I was looking for an outside adventurer’s meetup that was dog friendly and I found a different group made specifically for singles that had parrots. It is now the running joke (and perhaps a laughable threat) in the family since my dad owns a blue and gold macaw and my mom seriously loathes it.
posted by Cees on 8-26-2010 at 10:49 am