Oxforddictionaries.com define online dating as “the practice of searching for a romantic or sexual partner on the Internet, typically via a dedicated website” ... Interesting choice of words for a definition; but best to lay out what we are going to explore. Compared to “A service that arranges introductions for people seeking romantic partners” again oxforddictionaries.com defining Introduction Agencies. This is precisely what we are going to look at… What is the difference

For me, dating has always been scary. I was always capable of conversation and enjoying common interests but due to my inability to say, “I like you, do you want to go out sometime?” always landed me in the friends’ zone. In my later years, I still struggled with the first step of showing that I am (more than) a nice guy and saying or showing that I want to be your guy. That’s me though, and things I have done in my life (and not done) have made me the kind of person I am tod

Denise Chilton is an executive life coach, speaker and author who, for the last eight years, has been working with women looking to make some sort of change in their lives. Her clients are ordinary women who are doing great things in their careers and businesses and they come from across the UK and beyond. In March 2017 she published a book, Suddenly Single, to help women move on after an intimate and committed relationship ends abruptly. Below she tells INTRO NW why she cho

The majority of our clients live within the NW but a few are trying to make long distance relationships work - read on to hear Christopher's tips for a successful long distance relationship. So, your relationship has developed into a long distance one or perhaps it was always on the cards for that to happen. Maybe you met on holiday or an extended work trip. There is no hiding it, long-distance relationships comes with its own challenges, risks and opportunities. I haven't st

Britain’s first matchmaking agencies started in the 1600s when vicars played a key role in matching their parishioners with a partner from the same social class. Back then, being single past the age of 21 carried a great stigma, so although it wasn’t publicly discussed, this form of matchmaking was something that people often turned to. The first non-religious agency appeared in London in 1825. It still matched based on class and was largely used by men who were looking for

Our recent survey asked men, both single and in a relationship, for their views on modern dating and it shows that they value the services of a personal introductions agency over online dating. 85% said that they believe people lie on their online profile. This really causes problems as internet dating agencies rely on algorithms to match their members - algorithms are great but only if the profiles are accurate in the first place. Perhaps not surprising in today's busy worl

The Waters Corporation have become one of the first companies in the area offering employees access to INTRO. Waters are our next-door neighbours - their fantastic office is just across the road from The Colony HQ in Wilmslow, where INTRO is based. Many forward-looking companies are recognising the advantages of a personal introduction and matching service as an ‘employee benefit’. After all, many employers encourage and support gym membership to promote health, why not help

A recent article in the Daily Mail will resonate with many people who have experienced internet dating. Fantastically, Stella Grey's story has a happy ending and she has found love just when she was about to give up after two years of disappointment. Over the two years, 52 year old Stella sent hundreds of messages, had dozens of conversations and went on 56 dates. She feels that a middle-aged woman often has a hard time at online dating, judged insufficiently attractive by m

There are more than 17 million single adults in the UK and Manchester has the largest proportion of unattached adults in the country. More than 54% of the adult population of Manchester are single (that’s 222,585 people, to be exact). This situation reflects out across the adjoining counties and the region. Why is this? Well, there are a number of reasons, but one of the main factors is the dynamic and developing economy of the city and surrounding area, which is attracting m

New research tells us that we work more effectively, creatively and collaboratively if we’re happy. A recent study by economists at the University of Warwick found that happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity, while unhappy workers proved 10% less productive. As the research team put it, "We find that human happiness has large and positive casual effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings." Shawn Anchor, author of The Happiness Advantage

I was interested to read an article in this week's Grazia magazine about the different meanings of dating. Dating can either mean the search for true love and a meaningful relationship, or 'dating' is another term for a quick fling or casual sexual encounter. Either can work, but probably only if both partners want the same thing. Laura Jane Williams ends her article by saying that she's not after casual and would prefer another night alone if that's the alternative, and s