Eteract Personality Test

I signed myself up to an online dating site Eteract: Online Speed Dating for Serious Singles (www.eteract.com).

Let me backtrack a little. My close friend was considering re-activating her account on Match.com, a popular online dating site and I was looking around at alternative sites for her. I am very fond of Match having met my current boyfriend there and we have been dating quite happily for about 1yr plus. I do believe that online dating sites provide a good way of meeting people we would otherwise not meet in our current social circle. Problem is that when I was looking through profiles of guys on Match two weeks back, all of them seems so bland that I wonder if my friend should spend anytime on it. But I also do know that if she does nothing, Mr Right is not going to crawl out of her washing machine or fly into her room and she is no closer to meeting anyone suitable. But I digress.

Back to Eteract, I was trying to find if they have a better ‘pool’ of guys available versus Match. I have since deactivated my Eteract account as not to mislead anyone. After a quick look-see, I wasn’t terribly impressed with the guys recommended to me. I didn’t have the time (or energy) to run through all the profiles so my judgement could be pretty skewed. Anyway I’m ever the optimist so I would still let my friend know about this alternative site. My friend might actually adore all the guys available on Eteract.

Eteract has some very interesting features on the site. It goes without saying a person would have to subscribe to those fancy services. Free services are limited to posting of one’s picture and searching other profiles. Regardless, Eteract is quite unique as they offer online games to play while getting to know each other plus other nifty interactive features which I haven’t gotten round to reading. I thought games were a brilliant idea since I got to know my bf better over a ruthless game of chess on Yahoo Games and the loser had to treat winner to a meal (Note- I lost the game btw and it was not through lack of trying).

One feature that impressed me about Eteract was their personality test. At least for me, it was a pretty dead-on description of my personality and attitude in a relationship. So it seems I am the ‘Steadfast Ally’ with a longer explanation below.

The Steadfast Ally

You are...

Easy-going. A good listener. Patient. Reliable. Loyal. Sensitive to Criticisms. A team player. Steady. Stable. Predictable. Understanding. Friendly. Calm. Consistent.

Your strengths...

You are a peace maker. You are patient and empathetic and good at reconciling conflicts. You are good at making others feel like they belong. And you often come across as sincere. You are full of common sense. You are dependable and you provide stability to any relationship you are in. You are realistic and practical. You do not like conflicts and you are usually compliant towards authority. You are even-tempered and loyal.

Dating Advice for The Steadfast Ally

1. Be more open to change. The Steadfast Ally usually resists change and takes a long time to adjust. If your date suggests an activity out of your comfort zone e.g. wakeboarding, take up the challenge, and broaden your horizons! (Note: How true! I almost died from shock when I was asked on an ATV ‘date’. I tried to ‘barter’ my way out from it from wanting to pay him to cancel it to buying him a truckload of junkfood. I did go for it in the end…it was scary but exhilarating!)

2. Be more direct in your interactions. You have the tendency to be openly agreeable even when you inwardly disagree. When you are in a relationship, be more direct and share your concerns and doubts so that your partner knows how you truly feel. (Note: Well, I only do this to a certain degree to avoid conflicts but I would normally still make my opinion and feelings known)

3. Show more initiative. One of your strengths is stable, practical and predictable. Hence sometimes, you might come across as 'boring'. Surprise your date by showing more initiative e.g. arranging a picnic by the beach, or a weekend getaway at a nearby island resort. (Note: Quite true… my bf is the one coming up with most of the interesting activities to do. Memo to self: Be more creative and interesting!)

4. Be less sensitive. As you are an empathetic and sensitive soul, you tend to also be very sensitive to criticism. And sometimes, you might even hold grudges. Try to keep an open mind when you think your partner is criticizing you. Sometimes, he or she might not even be aware of what he/she has just said! (Note: I was already very aware of my extreme sensitivity as a great personality flaw)

If you are dating The Steadfast Ally

1. The Steadfast Ally's greatest fear is loss of security. Sudden changes in lifestyle would trigger their sense of loss of security. So, if you would like to introduce some changes to your dating routine, do it gently as not to 'startle' The Steadfast Ally. (Note: Well yes, I don’t adapt easily to changes)

2. Flattery and buttery is not going to work for The Steadfast Ally. Express a genuine interest in them. Only praise them when you truly mean it. Express appreciation when they have taken the initiative to do something special for you, especially when they have stepped out of their comfort zone to do it. (Note: Very true as well! False praises insult my intelligence)

3. The Steadfast Ally dislikes conflicts and arguments. They enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. Try to be less pushy and confrontational, and draw them into a calm and peaceful discussion. Else, they might stonewall you. (Note: That’s SO true. Partly bad Cancerian trait of retreating into their shell and not surface)

4. If you are dating Ms. Steadfast Ally, be sure to have a plan for the evening. She is usually easy-going and would like her guy to take the lead. (Note: Haha…yah, the only exciting thing I will suggest is watching anime or Korean drama or Glay concert DVD or snoozing. Memo of self: Gosh, I am REALLY boring!!)