Despite what you may think, dating sites operate differently based on various different aspects, especially when cultural differences come into play. Dating sites in Ecuador may seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the culture and how to best present yourself, the dating world will open up for you!
How Do You Navigate Online Dating?
Online dating is now one of the most common ways people find partners! Finding someone using the internet is considered one of the top three ways people can find a long-term partner, which isn’t surprising considering half of all 18 to 34-year-olds are now on dating apps.
In a study published by Science Advances, researchers found that those who were most successful with online dating were people who aimed high, kept their messages brief, and were patient. According to the study, the first message you send to a potential partner when you’re trying to date online is a maximum of forty words.
Experts advise sending lots of messages to different people—the idea is that the more messages you send, the more you increase your chances of finding a long-term partner. They also say that seventy percent of your profile should be about you, and the other thirty percent should be about what you’re looking for in a partner.
Long messages do not necessarily guarantee any special interest over brief messages. If you think about how many messages someone is probably receiving through online dating platforms, it makes sense that message length doesn’t matter in the long run.
Whether your message takes them twenty seconds to read or three minutes to read, you’re still trying to leave an impression on someone amidst a group of other people who are trying to do the exact same thing.
Online dating is about taking risks. Put yourself out there, even if you don’t think you have a chance. Worst case, they don’t respond to you, and you move on—there’s plenty of other people to find on other dating websites. Best case, they respond, and you fall madly in love! Either way, you will find someone.
What Are The Downsides of Online Dating?
Online dating is scary for lots of reasons. Between not knowing what to say, being unable to gauge someone’s tone via text, or even the fear of being “catfished,” online dating can be risky. Some people have been scammed out of lots of money and have fallen for people who do not even exist. However, you don’t have to worry unnecessarily about these downsides.
There are some obvious tells that someone is a catfish. For example, if a woman’s only photo on her profile is of her in a bikini or posing in a suggestive manner, it’s probably not the person in the photo behind the profile. Another flag is if a person only has one photo listed with their profile—it’s not a good sign.
Additionally, there is a strategy for online dating! You have to choose what kind of profile to set up, figure out how to set it up, and then sift through countless profiles, both real and fake, while hoping for the best. It can be overwhelming! Dating online can involve a lot of trial and error—you may send out over a hundred messages to people and only get twelve responses.
You have to be patient when using dating sites. People have to sift through a litany of messages and potential mates via profiles, and it can all seem very overwhelming at first. You have to give people a chance to respond without expecting them to do so quickly.
Also, imagine they presented you with all your options at once—it’s harder to make a final decision when you’re able to compare everything, the good and the bad, in one fell swoop. When the system is set up for you to view your options all at one time, you take a second to decide what’s actually best for you instead of just settling for what’s available.
We all lead busy lives, and it can be hard to gauge how much you can connect with someone when you’re out and about—online dating helps eliminate these issues! You message when it’s convenient for you, and you know people’s intentions at just a glance of their profile, as long as they’re honest. Whether it’s a casual hookup or long-term commitment, you can find it online.
Patience isn’t a bad thing to have when it comes to dating online, especially because if you’re on a dating site, you’re probably looking for “the one” rather than a casual fling. Finding that perfect match takes time, and we’re sure you’d rather take the time to sift through all your options, despite how daunting it can be, rather than settle for someone who’s not a great match.
What Terms Should I Look Out For When Dating Online?
Online dating isn’t easy, and there may be some terminology you need to keep in mind to make sure you’re navigating the online space as best as you can. The following words are things you need to look out for in your online dating ventures
- Catfishing: When someone intentionally sets up a fake profile to deceive or defraud others (ex. Using photos of someone else, pretending to be someone else, lying about who you are, what you do for work, etc.)
- Kittenfishing: When someone portrays themselves in a borderline dishonest way, usually in an unrealistically positive way (ex. Using photos of yourself, but they’re old, so you don’t look the same anymore)
- Firedooring: When you or someone else initiates a conversation and sends a message but then doesn’t message back after getting a response
- Breadcrumbing: When someone doesn’t put in a lot of effort and sends only playful, noncommittal messages
- Benching: When someone strings another person along because they know enough about them from messaging but won’t commit to them
- Slow-fade: When you gradually reduce how often or how much you message someone to end a relationship
- Ghost: When you abruptly stop messaging and cut contact with someone, instead of breaking up with them directly (ex. Like a ghost, you just disappear, almost like you never existed at all)
What Are Some Important Online Dating Tips?
Dating online is similar to shopping online—you can view lots of options at once and really take your time browsing to find what (or in this case, who) is best for you. Of course, shopping online means you don’t always get “what you pay for” because people may not act the way their profile describes them or look the way their profile pictures portray them.
What you say matters. The words you use in your profile, the first message you send—these are all important, but the first picture on your profile is an enormous deal. It may sound shallow, but it’s a scientific fact that humans’ first-impression of others is formed within seconds of meeting. Unfortunately, how others think of you is fueled by your physical appearance.
Now, with that in mind, imagine how much more important your appearance is for your dating profile! People can’t hear your voice or read your body language or catch a glimpse of you from across the room—your picture is the very first thing they will see of you.
Messages and chemistry are important, of course, and are what help relationships last, obviously, but your picture can make or break someone’s decision to stop scrolling and talk to you or swipe on by.
Your main profile picture should be your best one. It shouldn’t be anything inappropriate, nothing too formal, nothing low quality—just a nice snapshot of you—one that lets others find you friendly, fun, approachable, and relaxed. Portraying yourself this way will help you easily find others to match and converse with as you tread the waters of online dating.
One more thing. Your bio for your profile should be sincere and honest, but you shouldn’t brag about yourself either. You want to impress people, but not overly so. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and to share your story with others—confidence is sexy! If you have any doubts about your bio, you can always have a friend proofread to make sure you’re coming across the way you want to.
What Are Popular Dating Sites in Ecuador?
There are many different dating sites available in Ecuador, but two of the best are Badoo and Latin American Cupid. Both sites have their advantages and disadvantages, but if you’re willing to navigate the layouts of both, you can find the service you appreciate more and can see yourself using regularly. Well, until you find your perfect match!
Make Connections on Badoo
Badoo launched in 2006 and functions under the “freemium” model. It’s free to sign up, and you have to pay for additional upgrades and features. Badoo is popular in Europe and Latin America and operates in over 180 countries around the world. However, Badoo can be harder to navigate than Latin American Cupid.
In 2017, Badoo underwent a major rebranding, so now the primary color of the brand is purple with an orange heart. The new slogan is “Bigger than Dating,” which is definitely promising when it comes to your search for the perfect match. Badoo lets its users search for people throughout the world or in their local area—talk about freedom to choose!
A free feature of the app is “Encounters,” where two people can swipe right or left (yes or no) on each other and receive a notification if they match with each other. Video chatting is also possible through the service, along with a “selfie request” where women can request that the man they’re talking to sends a self-picture to prove they are the same as their profile pictures.
Badoo also has photo verification, which definitely helps take the fear out of being catfished. Users must take a picture (of themselves, duh) mimicking a specific pose, which is then verified by a Badoo moderator. Overall, Badoo can be a fantastic website to use whether you’re in Ecuador or trying to meet someone from that area.
Here is more detailed article on Badoo dating.
Find Love on Latin America Cupid
Latin America Cupid has thousands of members! It will allow you to run searches on specific age groups of people and turn up over a thousand profiles. The people and the quality of profiles on Latin American Cupid are hard to beat, given how popular the site is.
You can use your computer, your tablet, or even your smartphone to access Cupid.com! Are you tired of only judging people on a physical level and are looking to connect with someone who shares your values and interests? What better way to do that than using an interface that’s made for you to match with other like-minded folks!
However, you do have to pay for a Platinum or Gold subscription if you want to appear higher in the search results and want to gain access to the site’s full messaging functionality. The extra monthly cost does seem to be worth it, though. After all, why wouldn’t you want to invest and succeed in your love life the way you invest and succeed in your education or career?
The response rating on Latin America Cupid is on par with other dating sites. About one to ten percent of people you send an introduction message to will respond back!
Here is a more detailed article on LatinAmericanCupid.
What Is Online Dating Like in Ecuador?
If you are considering online dating in Ecuador, there are some cultural differences you should be aware of. Men in Ecuador are known for being romantic and passionate and communicative about their emotions—you will never have to wonder how they feel about you! Men in Ecuador also love dating white women.
So much of the population is online that the probability of you finding the love of your life is at an all-time high! Each year, more and more single Ecuadorian people are using online dating sites to meet people from all over the world. Though the internet can be daunting or scary, it can also help you connect with people in a lot of different, diverse places. Embrace it!
Women in Ecuador are also known for being honest and upfront about their feelings—they are straightforward with everyone and are very affectionate and loyal to their significant others. This is true of all people in Ecuador, though. They are known for being friendly and welcoming, and whenever it comes time for you to meet the friends and family of your Ecuadorian partner, they will surely treat you like you’re already part of the family!
Of course, when you’re online dating, you should make an effort to learn about the people you talk to! Their profile probably lists things they’re interested in—why not look into anything you don’t know about? Especially if you’re talking to someone from another country or someone whose culture is different than yours!
In the same way you would want someone to learn about you, you should show others the same courtesy. Ecuador is rich with culture and history and full of beautiful places and people, and delicious food! Plus, knowing more about someone’s culture and birthplace can definitely score you some bonus points with them.
If you want to check out more popular dating sites many singles love, here is a list of the best dating apps available today.
What Should I Know About Ecuadorian Culture?
If you want to use dating sites in Ecuador, whether you live there or just want to find a partner from there, there are a few cultural differences you should be aware of. For example, you should know how to greet someone who is Ecuadorian properly when you meet up in person. A handshake with a smile and direct eye contact is the best way to greet someone who is Ecuadorian.
Additionally, those who are from Ecuador tend to stand close to one another when talking and are very good at reading body language and non-verbal cues. Ecuadorian culture tends to be very open, so don’t be surprised if your possible Ecuadorian partner asks probing questions at the start—it’s them trying to gauge how trustworthy and reliable you are.
Having an Ecuadorian partner also means having someone in your life who always looks at the glass as half full. Ecuadorians are optimistic and always want to make the best of an unpleasant situation rather than give up. They’re also very non-confrontational, which could cause some friction in the relationship, but as long as you both communicate, it’s sure to iron itself out.
As far as marriage and family life goes, it used to be common for children to continue to live with their families until they got married, but things have changed. Instead, many children now leave to pursue an education, work, or just be independent of their parents. Because of this shift, you don’t have to worry about meeting family too soon because more Ecuadorians are independent at a young age.
You may also want to read: Dating an Ecuadorian Man.
Much like dating sites anywhere else, dating sites in Ecuador can be a hit or miss. But if you’re persistent and dedicated to finding your perfect match, especially when using well-regarded sites like Badoo or Latin American Cupid, you may find it’s easier than you think to get a happy ending with an Ecuadorian partner. Online dating is difficult but can lead to wonderful things!
