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Not too keen on being set up? Don't knock it till you've tried it. Matchmaking is the art of getting two people at the same place and at the same time, usually with marriage in mind. It has been around for ages and it is still alive today. Being matchmade allows you to meet people that you ─ for various reasons ─ wouldn't meet on your own. There's a benefit and also a downside to it. Before you agree on being set up, consider these points.
Yay, if…
1. It's a practical way of meeting new people, especially if you're too busy to go out on the town.
2. You waste less time on pre-screening, because your matchmakers did that for you. If you're being set up by someone who knows you well, chances are he/she will have made sure that the person shares your values, beliefs, interests and maybe also life goals.
3. You worry less about taking "the next steps" because your matchmakers provided you with trustworthy dating advice. You won't be going in blind, and you'll be clued in about how to smoothly go into a relationship (if you're interested, that is.)
4. You're looking for a serious relationship and your matchmakers focus on long-term compatibility rather than short-term chemistry.
Nay, if…
1. You end up feeling obligated to make your matchmaker happy instead of finding a natural connection. This usually happens if your matchmaker is your friend or family members who are too pushy.
2. You have to pay a large sum of money for their services. Hiring a professional matchmaker can cost you a lot. On average, prices for matchmaking services range from $5,000 to $10,000 a year. Of course this wouldn't be the case if your matchmaker is a relative or a friend who does it "just because it feels right".
3. You don't really know or trust the matchmaker. The first rule of thumb on matchmaking is to trust the matchmaker before signing the 'deal'.