Letters to the Editor
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Romance Novel Poisoning
Oh and TV, movies, as well. Because they specialize in what is literally called the "Meet Cute" -- the hero and heroine must intially meet and be attracted to each other in some quirky, extreme or humorous situation...and it's always instant chemistry, fireworks and let's not forget that everyone is always young, healthy, thin and super-attractive. (And usually white and wealthy as well.)
In the real world, this is a small minority of people. Most couples meet in fairly mundane ways -- they work together, or attend the same church, or live in the same apartment. Or have mutual friends. Most people take a while to warm up to one another. Quick, fiery attractions typically die quick, fiery deaths.
In a high tech age, when many of us live fairly isolated lives and don't have a lot of good ways to connect (or we are older or divorced or not the type to hang out at clubs), the internet has come to be a very effective way to find a partner.
I met my husband through personal ads (this was slightly before the internet became really mainstream). This was even MORE disreputable -- personal ads had a repuation of being for real losers...people who couldn't get dates or who were unattractive. I WAS slightly embarassed over this initially, so when people asked (and they did ask, all the time), I came up with some vague story ("we met at work").
Over time, I just stopped caring so I tell the truth. The commonest responses I get are "oh cool! my brother met his wife that way" or something. And after 15 years, honestly few people ask. They are more likely to ask someone in a new relationship. I also noticed most of the people who asked were themselves looking for a partner, and wondered how I managed to do it when they themselves couldn't.
At any rate, internet dating is so common now that it is entirely mainstream. Someone would have to be awfully dense or isolated or totally computer illiterate (maybe your 90 year old Aunt Nancy?) to find this strange. And it's obvious by now that the most attractive and desirable people are just as likely to be found online as the geekiest nerds. The stigma is really gone.
SO....LW, if it makes you feel better, make up a "meet cute" story for yourself. Just makes sure your boyfriend is on the same page with this, or you'll quickly get outted.
But honestly, it's nothing and in time, nobody will bother to even ask about it.