Online Dating Website Review: Parship.co.uk

There are a million online dating sites out there, from the standard girl meets boy, girl likes boy, boy never emails back, to the more unusual ones, which match people based on their hobbies, IQ, or facial analytic profile. I take a look at the weird, the wacky and the downright wicked and report back to you. Along the way you can look forward to a couple of photo-shopped pictures, some strange encounters and far to many alcoholic beverages.

This month I'm testing out Parship the site that "is different from other online dating services. It all starts with a psychometric test that's grown from years of research into the way people behave in relationships. When two people are compatible, it's about more than mutual attraction and shared interests ... Their characters both match and complement each other. PARSHIP's unique psychometric test explores the factors that create the balance of a successful relationship - personality, behaviour, attitudes and values."

Sounds interesting...

So here's the lowdown on the Paship process. Taking no easy outs I test the site and the men and give you the feedback on my experiences.

Sign Up: 20 minutes!! It takes a while, but during this you complete the scarily in depth personality assessment which asks you random things from,
Q. Here are two different pictures. Which of one of them appeals to you the most?

to even more curious question such as Q.Which title would you give to this scene from a dream? and Q.What sort of temperature do you find most comfortable for your living environment? A lot of the questions are multiple choice, and some of them are fairly personal, as when I answered D to this question;-

Why do you think that you haven't found a suitable partner yet?

a/I have very high expectations about my future partner.
b/I simply wasn't ready.
c/I'm too shy or inhibited.
d/I haven't had enough time or opportunity to establish deeper relationships, I suppose.
e/For some reason or other, in the past I have kept myself too much to myself.

I received this response;-In our experience, many people tick this answer first, because it sounds very plausible. Please be honest with yourself and ask yourself if this is really the reason. , and I found that a little cheeky and presumptuous.

My test result was split into three sections, each dealing with intellect, instinct and feeling. This is my 'feeling' result.

'You have the ability to act as a peacemaker amongst opposing factions. You are good at recognising what people have in common and what they need to make them feel their concerns are being addressed. Your test recorded a high value for your capacity to compromise n.a. and for your generosity of spirit (54%). You are able to use your diplomatic skills to act persuasively as a mediator. This will be a valuable character function within a relationship. '

Yeah, fairly accurate I'd say, but will this make a difference love wise? The test analyses a series of fundamental character types that Parship have identified as being relevant to the success of a relationship, so let's see the response.

Ease of Use? You can message people or use the icebreaker service to see if you are compatible but its a bit long winded. Even when you are signed up you can’t see pictures, you can only request them from other members so you don't know what you are getting.

Quality of Men Online? Seems to be a lot of journo's, PR people and chefs

Quality of men in person/Date Experience? Well quite a number of people messaged me and sent me Icebreakers (equivalent of Facebook poking) but only one man actually had the balls to ask me out, so rape alarm in my pocket, off I went. First Impression? He was much better looking than his picture which was weird, as it's normally the other way around, and he seemed friendly and a little shy, nothing a few vodkas couldn't fix, and it went well, despite our chosen venue blaring opera at us. In fact, drinks turned into dinner, then more drinks, then date number two, so I'd have to say it's still going well. I was dubious about meeting someone online, but our conversation didn't revolve around what sites we Bookmark and we shared an uncanny amount of similar interests, so I'd have to say the Parship set up really seemed to work. Conversation flowed and since he was hotter than envisaged the evening went very well.

Gimmicks? You get to see how compatible you are with those that you message , as you get a little percentage score 70%- 40%. Below 40% they don’t match you as they consider you’d have nothing to say to each other. You can also track people who’ve looked at your profile.

Irritating things: You can’t see profile pictures unless you message someone and request it.

Price? Free for basic, £35 for one month, £57 for 3 months.

Result: Well, this has been my first foray into the online dating world and I have to say that it’s been fairly positive. Yes, I’m being biased because of my good dates with the lovely Mr B, but according to Parship rules, if we weren’t 72% compatible I’d never have met him, so even though there are some definite quirks that could be ironed out with the system, I’d have to say it works.

Next Month's Site: TBC...