Tales From Relationship Land
By Kat Glimmer
Two years ago, immediately after my husband and I split up, I signed up for a dating service called “It’s Just Lunch”. A friend had used it with mixed results and I figured I would give it a shot. I signed up online and was immediately contacted by a “representative” who promised to make the “It’s Just Lunch” experience a lucrative one for me. However, when the discussion of logistics came to play (I was living in Orlando at the time, not exactly the mecca of potential suitors), I grew frustrated and disinterested. I stopped responding to inquiries and decided to devote my time to different dating pursuits.
Fast forward to yesterday. I receive a call, one of many over the past two years, from the “It’s Just Lunch” folks, checking to see if their services are needed. Now, let’s recap. It’s been TWO years since I signed up for the service. I asked them ONE year and 11 Months ago to stop contacting me. I live in BOSTON now, not Orlando, and I have a BOYFRIEND of seven months. Yet “It’s Just Lunch” still wants to check up on my dating needs. Concern? I hardly think so.
I had heard that stalker dating services were getting themselves into some legal trouble, and this link here provides some details as to a couple of pending cases. I’m guessing that the service runs off independent contractors, and that when new folks are assigned, they are encouraged to “tap” the database of previous clients to drum up some business. But let’s imagine a scenario here for a second. Say my boyfriend wasn’t a very understanding guy (he totally is a very understanding guy, also being stalked by It’s Just Lunch) and that he came home one day to find a message on our answering machine, after having been together for seven months, from a dating service. Don’t you think that in the right set of circumstances, this could cause some problems? I’m sure that in two years, many people could be remarried with children at this point. And when will It’s Just Lunch give up their pursuits? When @TheDiva, @MissScandalous and I are sharing our nursing home room together?
My point here is this: choose carefully when selecting a dating service. While It’s Just Lunch is more of a nuisance than anything, I probably could have done a quick Google search and posted the results I’ve just shared with all of you. Be VERY careful who you give out your personal information to, and I highly recommend when you are “done” with a dating service, that you go back and remove your profile and all pertinent information. You don’t want your children finding your dating profiles from your wild and crazy post-divorce days. It might scar them for life!
Date Smart!
