Online dating games a hit among Japanese women

TOKYO: Like many Japanese young women, Takako Suzuki says the first thing she does most days is think about who her next boyfriend should be. Her choices: a cute millionaire, a butler or a samurai.

Whether playing the role of a teenager who fantasises about her five rich housemates or flirting with a civil-war warrior, Suzuki says she can’t get enough of ‘otome’ Japanese romance online dating games geared toward women. Suzuki, who says she once played 10 different titles concurrently, buys credit from Gree Inc. to pamper her avatar with virtual clothes or shoes and purchase tickets for additional game chapters.

“When I wake up in the morning, I play these online dating games for a while before I really get up,” said Suzuki, 28, an office worker. “I need to play otome games because I’m so stressed out by my nagging boss at work.” Suzuki and other female gamers are helping reshape the $10.6 billion video-game market in Japan, where the popularity of Gree’s social network is luring developers typically focused on making titles for Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. Women will help sales of games played on social networks triple in the next five years, according to estimates by BNP Paribas SA in Tokyo.

“Developers must target women to expand their market instead of only focusing on men,” said Toshihiro Nagahama, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc. in Tokyo. “Dating games became a blockbuster category among women because characters in those games give them what they want from men in the real world.”

‘ MANGA’ OPPORTUNITY

The market for female-oriented online dating games in Japan may reach 20 billion yen ($261 million) in five years from 6 billion yen last year, according to Hiroshi Yamashina, a Tokyo-based analyst at BNP Paribas. Last year’s sales accounted for 6% of the overall Japanese industry.

Opportunities include turning graphic novels, called “manga,” into interactive online dating games because female-oriented comics account for an estimated 70% of Japan’s 65 billion yen e- book market, Yamashina said in a September 16 report. That’s benefited Gree, which runs and develops games for its Facebook-like service in Japan. Shares of the company, which says women account for more than 40% of its users, have doubled in Tokyo trading this year, helping make it the best performer on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index.

The second week of October is National Pet Peeve Week, and the folks at online dating site YanikaDate.com have surveyed their subscribers to see how little annoyances affect their online dating site.

It’s no surprise that most singles — 73 percent of women and 66 percent of men — have somewhere between two and five pet peeves when it comes to online dating site. The fairer sex may be a bit easier to annoy (or maybe men are just more annoying), as 18 percent admitted to having more than five peeves. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of men have one or no pet peeves whatsoever. 5 Worst First Dates Ever

While you may be thinking “Who cares?” this is actually a big deal, as most women — a whopping 70 percent — have said no to a second date based on their pet peeves. Half of men have done the same. So when it comes to making a last, annoyance-free first impression, here are some suggestions based on Zoosk’s survey of more than 1,500 singles:

What irks women the most. The fairer sex is more sensitive to odor, with 45 percent of ladies saying a smelly date is their biggest peeve. Technology-obsessed dudes who can’t keep their hands off their phones are the second biggest annoyance, with 22 percent of the votes. Timeliness is also key, as 13 percent of women can’t stand when a date is running late. The final two peeves on the list seem somewhat trivial — “when my date talks about himself too much” and “when my date peppers me with questions like a job interview” — and each only garnered five percent of the votes.

What irks men the most. Dudes share similar dissent in describing their dating annoyances. For starters, they’d like women to stop tweeting, texting and updating their Facebook status, with 51 percent of men ranking “too occupied with a cell phone” as their biggest pet peeve. Ladies, you’ll also want to remember your deodorant and a fresh spritz of perfume one in awhile, as 21 percent of guys find smelly dates annoying. Ten percent of males rank a late date as annoying and seven percent hate being peppered with too many questions. Finally, ladies, go light on the eyeshadow for your next date — seven percent of men list “when my date is wearing too much makeup” as a big peeve. 10 Signs A Woman Is Cheating: Do They Ring True To You?

The naked truth: Stars like Johansson, Aguilera are asking to be hacked

No idea. But economist Ray Fisman concurs, writing in Slate magazine about his observations when he analysed a bunch of speed free dating events at a bar near Columbia University over a period of two years.

“Men avoided women whom they perceived to be smarter than themselves,” he said. “The same held true for measures of career ambition – a woman could be ambitious, just not more ambitious than the man considering her for a date.”

Why? “We males are a gender of fragile egos in search of a pretty face and are threatened by brains or success that exceeds our own.”

Ahem. Of course not all men are like this. According to a study carried out by the University of Iowa, men actually increasingly want to date smart, successful women.

This according to the poll, which has been conducted every decade since 1939 and which asks participants to rank a list of 18 characteristics they would want in a partner.

In 2008, the poll found that men ranked intelligence fourth. In 1939, intelligence came 11th.

“Good financial prospect” moved to 12th place in 2008, a shift from its 17th-place ranking in 1939 and last-place ranking in 1967.

But here’s the caveat: when it comes to smart women, not all men are created equal. While most men would not be too hasty to admit they’d prefer to be the smart one in a relationship, the men in my office (whom I urged to be honest) agreed.

Said one twentysomething: “Yes, I want to date the bar tender, the student or the girl who is a secretary. I can be the man in the relationship and she appreciates everything I do for her. It’s simply much easier. I don’t have to work as hard.”

Said another: “Some guys want a girl who makes them feel smart and manly. If you make him feel stupid it shows he doesn’t want an equal. So I guess it says more about the man than the state of relationships. That being said, I do find it easier free dating girls who aren’t that ambitious.”

So what does it say about a man who prefers a handbag to a partner or an equal? A lot. But if Stanger’s theory is correct, smart women had better hide their degrees and skip the political chat for more superficial, light conversations. At least if they want to get married any time soon.

I’m not one to judge, but all I know is that if you’re a smart, successful woman and the men you’re free dating find you intimidating, start hanging out with a different calibre of man.

There is bound to be someone out there who will appreciate you for yourself. And, despite what Stanger might say, the best relationships are the ones in which you don’t have to change a thing about yourself because your partner loves you just the way you are …

What do you think? What type of guys want to date women who dumb aren’t smarter than themselves? Is it an ego thing? Are there men out there who actually like women to be their equal?

Men don’t like smarter women … say what!?

Matchmaker Patti Stanger has recently come under fire for urging women to dumb themselves down if they want to get a man.

The gregarious television host of the hit show YanikaDate.com has been matching desperate rich dudes with desperate skinny women for a number of years, much to the amusement of a growing television audience who revel in watching these socially awkward men try to impress a bunch of unimpressed, hungry women.

One thing about Stanger that stands out is her brashness in enforcing her dating rules.

She reckons both parties are single for a reason, hence are supposed to “change” something about themselves to finally attract a suitable partner whom she has preselected for them.

But the other day, when Stanger went out on international television talking about her dating rules, journalists, bloggers and audiences were not impressed.

First she slammed gay men for not being into monogamy, saying that, while she tries to “help” them find love, it was simply a hopeless endeavour.

“I have tried to curb you people,” she told executive producer (and openly gay man) Andy Cohen. “When was the last time you had a boyfriend?” Yeouch.

Then she went on to slam smart, single women for being, er, too smart.

“Men like smart women after marriage. They don’t like them before they are married. You got to dumb it down a little because men are not that bright.”

This one had me a little confused. So I should be dumbing myself down to get a man? It simply doesn’t make sense. And it’s not the first time I’ve heard this sentiment expressed either.

The “smart woman v hot handbag” debate is one that I often engage in with my single, smart, successful girlfriends.

“Why do so many men trade us in for ditzy bimbos?” they often ask.

Why do men prefer to bonk (and marry) their secretaries over their bosses, as Forbes magazine once reported?

And are men really so afraid of being challenged by a smart woman that they’d ditch her for someone with less of a brain who doesn’t challenge them and simply goes with the flow?

Author accused of scamming women out of millions on Jewish dating site

Mitchell Gross allegedly duped at least two women into investing about $4.4 million in a sham company he set up, using some of the money to buy expensive artwork, a luxury car and a golf club membership.

An American author of legal thrillers and a fantasy trilogy was accused Thursday of scamming women out of millions of dollars after meeting them through an online Jewish dating service.

Mitchell Gross, whose books include the suspense story “Circle of Lies,” allegedly duped at least two women into investing about $4.4 million in a sham company he set up, using some of the money to buy expensive artwork, a luxury car and a golf club membership, federal prosecutors said.

The wire fraud and money laundering charges he faces could carry a prison sentence of decades behind bars, according to authorities.

Gross, a 61-year-old author who writes under the pen names Mitchell Graham and Douglas Alan, pleaded not guilty. He has turned out at least a half dozen books, but told a judge he only had limited funds.

At a brief court appearance Thursday, Gross said he could not afford an attorney because he only had $2,000 in cash and no money in any other accounts. His court-appointed attorney Judy Fleming declined to comment on the case.

Authorities said Gross allegedly began a romantic relationship with a woman identified in court documents as “R.J.”

They allegedly met on a site around June 2006 and he allegedly told her he made a lot of money by investing with a broker named “Michael Johnson” who was employed by “The Merrill Company,” the records show.

“R.J.” called the broker to talk over the investments, but it was actually Gross speaking in a disguised voice on the other line, prosecutors said. “R.J.” wired close to $3 million to an account she believed belong to the company but actually did not exist, prosecutors said.

Gross allegedly concealed the scheme by sending her phony tax forms and account statements, they added.

Then investigators said they discovered he was using the woman’s funds to repay an ex-girlfriend, identified as “J.S.” She was duped into investing $1.4 million with the phony firm, prosecutors said.

Federal prosecutors didn’t identify the names of the victims in the indictment, but some details of the allegations have emerged in civil court documents.

Robbie Johnson of Florida filed a lawsuit against Gross in March 2008 claiming she met him on a Jewish Internet dating site. Soon, she said, he was falsely telling her that famed director Steven Spielberg had optioned his books for films that would feature Pierce Brosnan and Kirsten Dunst.

He also allegedly told her he fell in love with her, and that he was eager to move to Florida to live with her, the lawsuit said.

They took vacations together to Japan, Panama and Brazil, and Johnson hosted a ‘Meet Mitch’ party to introduce him to her friends. She even turned her son’s bedroom into an office so he could move in, the complaint said.

But after he got the money – about $2.95 million – he allegedly started making excuses to avoid spending time with her, and delayed moving in together, the lawsuit said. The relationship ended in March 2008, when she discovered the account she was pumping money into was set up under Gross’ name.

The court issued a settlement order in June 2008 that ordered Gross to pay Johnson more than $3.2 million – a sum that is now about $4 million with interest, said her lawyers, who applauded the criminal investigation.

“I’m not surprised to see the federal charges,” said the woman’s attorney, Clay O’Daniel. “I figured it was a matter of time.”

Her other counsel, Richard Garbarini, said his client is “ecstatic that justice is being done.”
Prosecutors, meanwhile, said anyone else who believes they were victimized should contact authorities. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates warned that the Internet makes it simpler “for those bent on defrauding others to find their next victim.”

Gross, who lives in metro Atlanta, has written six books under the Mitchell Graham pen name, including a three-part science fiction series and a legal thriller called “Dead Docket.”
Court records also say he wrote another book, the suspense thriller “Circle of Lies,” under the pen name Douglas Alan.

Women's Tennis Off to an Explosive Start at ITA Regional's

The four members of the University of Kentucky women's tennis team that were selected to compete in the USTA/ITA Women's Tennis Ohio Valley Regional's have taken control of the doubles portion of the tournament. The participating players are junior Jessica Stiles, sophomore Khristina Blajkevitch and freshmen Stephanie Fox and Edmee Morin.

Blajkevitch and Stiles paired up to take on Evgeniya Vertesheva and Kayla Fujimoto of Indiana University, defeating them 8-6. Next, they faced Sarah Toti and Brynn Boren from the University of Tennessee and found similar results, winning the match with the same score of 8-6.

The two freshman, Fox and Morin, played like veterans as they battled Courtney Wild and Kristel Saunders of Ball State. The match was extremely close with a 9-8 (4) end result, and Kentucky came out on top. In their next match, Morin and Fox eased through, defeating Paula Jaime and Karina Kedzo of East Tennessee State University, 8-4.

If the wildcats continue to outpace their opponents, they could continue to play until Tuesday, Oct. 18.

UK also sent players to the two-day Roberta Alison Tournament at the University of Alabama. Freshman Grace Trimble excelled, winning two of her three singles matches. She also paired up with fellow freshman, Lyndsey Pickett, to win one of their two doubles matches. The duo defeated Ale Pacheco and Lina Carvajal of Alabama-Huntsville, 8-3.

After getting off to a bit of a tough start, sophomore CeCe Witten ended with a success in singles play. She took on Melanie Junod of Alabama-Huntsville and breezed through the match, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is supposed to be a ladies’ man – women are believed to be his more loyal electorate. But, if one looks at the larger picture in perspective, it is the women who have created havoc in Modi’s political life.

The charming CM has earned the wrath of one too many women in the state. The first direct allegation of Modi’s involvement in the 2002 riots was made by widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, Zakia, who filed a plea in Supreme Court seeking investigation into the role of Narendra Modi in riots. She was joined by Rupa Mody, whose son Azhar went missing in the attack on Gulbarg Society in 2002.

In recent times, Shweta Bhatt, wife of arrested IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, and Jagruti Pandya, widow of slain former home minister Haren Pandya, have, through their persistence efforts for justice, caused a series of embarrassing moments for the establishment.

While Shweta has categorically blamed Modi for ruining her family by unfairly targeting her husband, Jagruti has repeatedly put Modi in a spot by seeking help from him to find the ‘real killers’ of her husband. Modi is yet to respond. Recently, she turned in two officials for spying on her and twice rejected state police’s offer to provide her police protection. Her silent assertion ‘I don’t trust them’ is a slap for Modi establishment.

Significantly, these women who have turned out to be Modi’s bete noirs are not activists but simple housewives, whose main concern was the well-being of their husbands and children, till they became victims of vendetta politics. Shweta’s eyes go mist when she says her husband’s name, and Zakia’s tears are uncontrollable when she talks of the massacre. The wait for Azhar in Rupa’s eyes, even today, can stir the most stone-hearted. But, time has proven that their tears have become their strength. Adversity has brought out the extraordinary in these ordinary homemakers.

Women’s Golf Jumps to Ninth at Day Two of Stanford Intercollegiate

It was moving day for Kent State women’s golf Saturday, as the Golden Flashes moved up three spots to ninth place after the second round of the Stanford Intercollegiate, hosted by Stanford University.

On the shoulders of a four-under 67 by senior Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina, Kent State posted a two-over 286 to take sole possession of ninth place, trailing eighth-place Oregon State by a stroke; Texas and San Diego State are hot on Kent State’s heels, trailing the Golden Flashes by a stroke. Kent State is eight strokes behind sixth place Oklahoma State.

Germino had a bogey-free round on Saturday, notching four birdies, all coming in a seven-hole span midway through her round. She is now tied for fifth overall, moving up from her 13^th place spot on Friday.

Recovering from a rough first day were freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta) and senior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio). Despite a late double-bogey, Ha finished two-under thanks to a three-under 33 on the back nine, Kent State’s first nine holes on Saturday. Marshall trimmed seven shots off her score from Friday to finish with a three-over 74, bolstered with two birdies on her final three holes.

Although Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) did not get a birdie on Saturday, the senior notched a five-over 76. She is now tied for 63^rd overall. Sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) struggled early and was unable to get back in the groove for the Golden Flashes, as she finished with a 14-over 85.

Defending national champion UCLA pulled away slightly, as the Bruins have a four-stroke lead on second-place Vanderbilt; Oregon’s Cassy Isagawa and SooBin Kim share the individual lead at eight-under.

The Stanford Intercollegiate, which features six of the top 10 teams in the country and 14 of the nation’s top 50 teams, concludes Sunday. Kent State will tee off No. 1 starting at 7:30 a.m. PT, matched with Oregon State and Arizona State.

How to write a letter? Write a lot, write often, respond quickly, and do not disappear for a long time without warning. But it is not only in the number of sent messages. On dating sites like this, “foraged” they – called scammers. Scammers beg for money men, sometimes quite successfully. As you know, appearance, age and even sex scammers not always coincide with those in the questionnaire. At scammers tricks often come across are not stupid men. What is the main secret this scammers? The ability to write letters! Letters on dating sites it`s not those who wrote letters to our grandmothers. “She’s alive, well, the son married. For people living in different countries and have never seen each other such information is uninteresting and irrelevant. Correspondence with which are fastened dating – a conversation with feelings and emotions that are relevant for everyone, everywhere and always. Conversation – where emotions sometimes exceed its usual level. For the expressive words are supplemented by multiple exclamation marks, smiles and other means of expression. The Internet has its own specific style, and even spelling. People want to share thoughts, feelings, emotions, and not just descriptions of events. You have not received a letter from her, which was expected – send a postcard with a sad puppy and the words “I miss you!” She will write to you! «Give a women marriage to understand that you’re constantly thinking about her, that she’s wonderful and you are fine with it even at a distance. Well, finally you have decided that it – namely, the one you are looking for. Did you feel any resonance of feelings and emotions in their correspondence, and you want to take a step further in the relationship with her? Give me your phone number, talk. Invite her to come to your town to see “live”. But do not forget that the main themes of your communication with a women marriage, both absentee and “live”, should be herself and your feelings for her. Do not try to suppress its own irresistible charm and erudition, not to bore the description of life events, in which she participated. This man – the one with which the women marriage feels real and unique. Do it on our women marriage!

Who today has not heard about the dating online sites? Only lazy, but very happy not yet started a profile on some dating online site! Huge number dating online sites in internet. But … It is only at first glance. In fact, the vast majority of them – are clones. Clones of the largest portals dating online! Surely you’ve visited any dating online sites, and perhaps visited you a sense of déjà vu. Colors, shapes, names are different, and those are the same. The reason’s quite simple – all of these resources using a database of the largest and popular dating online sites. This leads to a simple analogy: the firm, for example, “Mercedes” one, and sell its cars around the world many dealers. Here is the same situation. We’ll help you make your choice and present the most popular dating online sites on the Internet, through which you can find love, relationships, and will not be disappointed or deceived! Now you’ll be spared the need to roam the network, register with the same systems, and visit the sites of clones. We hope these tips will help you – here’s something always useful! Even if you’re not a novice – maybe you find something useful for them. We believe – you will the world of communication, new encounters, love and friendship. Good luck and enjoy your leisure time not only for dating online sites! One of the most popular dating online sites is www.YanikaLove.com. This site presents you the opportunity to find a companion for life. On this site a very large number of real, beautiful girls from different countries. Visit our dating online site and you are sure will be pleased! This is a very popular dating online site in the Internet! Different databases on all our sites – so this is the difference between our sites from all others! Now we introduce a new but already popular and totally free dating DatingAmore.com! On this site you will find girls from all over the world and can not only maintain correspondence with them, but also free chat!