Cheek'd: Online Dating, Sort Of

Got more online dating horror stories than you'd like to admit? Not sure how to approach that cutie at the bar without coming across as sleazy? Tired of missed connections that could have become great relationships? Cheek'd may be the answer for all you frustrated singles out there. Launched in May of 2010 by Lori Cheek, the service is like online dating in reverse, encouraging offline interaction first.

If you'd had enough of Facebook stalking, cheesy pickup lines, and awkward stares, Cheek'd can help you land dates and leave your wingman (or wingwoman) at home. Just go to the Cheek'd website and enter some information about yourself. After you've provide your nickname, favorite game, favorite song, favorite place, and email address, you'll get a month of free service and a trial deck of five cards with unique, attention-grabbing lines such as “Act natural. We can get awkward later,” “Eventually you'd ask for this,” and “I saw you checking me out.”

The cards, which also include the URL for the Cheek'd website and a code ID that leads to your profile page, are designed to pique the curiosity of your love interest, who will hopefully send you a message. If you need more cards, a standard deck of 50 costs $20. Decks with Wall Street and dog themes are also available, and you can even create a custom deck in any language if you're feeling particularly clever.

Founder and namesake Lori Cheek, who used to be an architect, got the idea for Cheek'd years ago while having dinner with another architect. Cheek's colleague scribbled “Want to have dinner?” on the back of his business card, which he handed to a woman at a nearby table as they left the restaurant. With Cheek'd, people can introduce themselves to a romantic prospect “when feeling awkward, shy, or simply desiring a new approach.”