by Russell Waldron

Created on: June 28, 2009

Most people would no doubt head for the hills as soon as the word 'matchmaker' is mentioned. They have visions of the old fashioned matriarch of the family with arms folded across her ample bosom telling you that you are to marry Sarah Jane Pickings and that there will be no arguing about it, even if you have to be carried screaming and kicking to the alter.

Using matchmaker services may sound a little old fashioned to some, but in reality there are a host of web sites available today which are solely focused on matching you with a compatible partner. So what is a matchmaker? A matchmaker in some cultures is a person who introduces people who might make a good match. They were often used to find prospective partners for arranged marriages.

But the matchmaker of online matchmaking services differ from online dating sites and the family matriarch, it's you making the choices as to who you shall communicate with. The matchmaker simply makes some selection on your behalf as to who they think will be a good match for you. But the final choice of who you meet is yours.

Why use a matchmaking service?

Perhaps you are just getting back into the dating game after a divorce or have been a widow or widower for a while. You may now be feeling somewhat lonely and yearn for a companion/ best friend/ partner. Besides, your little black book may be quite empty after all these years and all the single guys or gals you once knew may be married with families now. It could even be that you have moved to a new town, county etc and don't know anybody.

Cruises on a Love Boat, game shows hooking up singles, speed dating dinner parties etc are all a thing of the past. Time strapped business men and women, single mothers, professionals etc with little time to spare for cruising singles bars, the shy, the attractive, the obese, the beautiful, all have a better chance of finding a partner when they engage a professional matchmaker's assistance.

So what is the difference between a matchmaking service and an on-line of off-line dating service?

The matchmaker is honestly interested in the outcome, they wish to see you find the person of your dreams, a compatible companion. They have a reputation to keep, this is business. The more successful they are in finding good matches, the more popular their service becomes. Most dating services simply want your money and hope you won't be successful for a long time, the longer it takes for you to find a match the richer they become. They just

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