Swingular - Swingers

Swingers Forum - Certified Single Males Program

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One of the issues we always see that comes up in discussions involves the whole single male world. As a business, single males are a huge part of what makes a site successful yet they get the worst of it all, and we all know why. With all the changes that are going on with Swingular.com, we wanted to put something together that would cater to the single male. We've racked our brains and came up with a 'Certified Single Male' program. What it does is allows single men to take an 'online' course per se, that educates them on the swinger world and how to deal with couples, etc... They then take an online 'quiz.' If they pass, they must agree to some rules, terms and conditions as well as get validated. They then become a Certified Single Male with a certification symbol applied to their profile.

With this certification comes certain benefits such as access to a section of the site created just for them where they can interact with members looking for single men. We were also thinking they would be invited to certain parties with a restriction on the total amount of men that can attend. Along with that, members could create custom photo albums and restrict access to only certified single men, couples and single women.

These are just a few of the ideas but we want your thoughts on this as well. Any other benefits, goods and bads about the current suggestions, etc... Let's hear your thoughts.
One suggestion that we have is something that couples can do or say that would let others know that a certain single male is genuine or shall we say a "good" single male.

Not sure what we could do about that, but if a single male came with references maybe it would help both males and couples.
Maybe we can add a rating system with comments to a single males profile.
There is the comments for each of us all but how about the point system as used in Ebay? If you want your record clean, you'd better be good!!

Just my two cents, any other bids?
We had a point/rating system at one time for all members but it became a huge controversy so we took it away. It never gave anyone a negative rating and everyone started at zero but people thought the more points you had, the more it became a popularity contest. I think if we applied it to single males, it could work.
I like this idea however i think a rating system would be about as degrading as a rating system on "is she good or not". rating might not be the best idea.
We have a few single friends who sometimes hang out with us whenever we go out. They are respectful and know how to behave around couples. We think single males or females who have at least three positive comments from certified (real) couples have a better chance to be accepted and approached by couples whom never had any contact with singles before. Administration could take these comments into account when applying this system and endorsing any singles on this site. Just our two cents.
If you find a single male posing as a couple and their profile reflects that, give them a warning that you'll report them if they don't request to have their profile changed to a single male. Then let us know and we'll deal with it.
I could see a little "course" on swingers ettiquete (sp?) but I think ALL men should take it...My experience has been that men with a girlfriend or wife are far more likely to break "the rules" so to say...

BUT I also think in lieu of that, maybe a system where couples can "ceritfy" the single men as being genuine and real, PLUS the course, the course may be one seal, the certified as cool another....

Who knows...Something should be done to make it a little easier for them...
i think if your going to make this for the singles males. I think it should be for the Single Girls
to..... Dont you think so?

Thumper
Not really, not many single females fake being a couple or single male. It's always the other way around. Plus, more people are looking for single females and they are hard to come by. Single men are a dime a dozen. This will separate the boys from the men and the respectful ones from the gawkers. It's not fool proof but nothing is, it's just something to help them out and give back to them.
I like the "certification" idea a lot.

The rating system can be abused/misunderstood, but a comment section could be a great thing.

As a single guy who used to be part of a couple, I have seen both sides and single men in some areas of the country have it hard (no pun intended ;) ) Anything that would give couples looking for a single guy a heads up to which of us are polite and respectful (i.e. a "good" single) would help both the couples and the guys deserving to join a couple.

Just my 2 cents ;)

John

PS : When do you think your course would be ready to use?
Well all of this right now is just an 'idea.' That's what the feedback is for so we can put something 'real' together. We don't even know what information we need to put into the course. Things like that. We hope to have something solid soon.
Well there has got to be certain things that couples are looking for in a single guy other then just large equipment. Something that would give an average Joe a chance to enjoy the game.

I, for one, would feel rather concerned about my place in the game and what the couple is looking for in joining 'them". and i know allot of people say "ask" , or "duh" but there is more to it then "she wants you to do this".

also What not to do to avoid insult of one or the other parties. and common misconceptions of joining a couple.

Questions that should be asked and issues to cover that may be slightly different from one on one situation.

These are the type of things that need to be addressed in certification.

How about it? should couples speak up here or would that be a separate post?
I totally like the idea. I would totally accept a program that would help me and my character stand out from the others. Thanks for thinking about us.
So if one's profile page becomes the report card so to speak, what would prevent someone from bashing a member's page? How could something degrading be removed? Would it be easy for someone to falsify a rating? Probably isn't much need to worry but it is one aspect to consider.

Perhaps the best way is to add a photo for the certification as has been used.
If we did use the rating system, like mentioned before, all single men start off with a zero. That number can go up as other members add positive feedback but the number itself doesn't mean anything negative. The higher the number, the more people have had a positive experience with that person. The feedback is kind of like the comments section now, you have the choice to display it, hide it, or delete it. But that really is a small part of what this certification is trying to accomplish, it may not even be a part of it at all. We want to focus more on the certification idea more than anything.
Hello!

A lot of suggestions being given. Here Is one, why not meet me and draw your own conclusions? Anyone that would take the time to do that and not judge me by others are people that I personally would be interested in cultivating a friendship with. If sex was to happen after that it would be an honor to play with such open minded people.

I personally take it as an insult to even think I might be rated on a public scale. I know that everyone has preferences. So just to be up front, I paid to join this sight and I feel i should be treated as well as any couple that paid to join it too.

Feel Free to disagree with me but if your not a single male then you don't have to deal with all the negativity that comes from this attitude. All I will ever ask of anyone on this sight is if you meet me and don't like me just be upfront and honest and I sure won't bother you in any way, And I expect the same if I don't like you!

I know this situation from both sides. I spent five years as a married couple in this lifestyle and enjoyed it very much. I have been single for sometime and I have met a lot of wonderful people in this lifestyle. I have also encountered a lot of flakes.

Don
I am still waiting for my request to become a single male to be answered. I think a single male certification is an excelent idea.
There are a lot of sour apples in the barrel of single men which do give the, as you put it, "respectable guys" a bad name. I'm sure there would be a lot of guys that would do whatever necessary to shed some of the sterotype. The key will be as to how well it is enforced and supported. Just being able to pass a quiz wouldn't really prove that a guy is genuine. I think that this is all a good idea though and I lend it my total support as you continute to develop something.
Totally understandable hotluv because if someone else doesn`t like you that does not mean the next couple will feel the same. We have met with people and were not thrilled but that doesn`t make them bad or wrong. Just not our cup of tea but to someone else they might be viewed as great.

On the bright side at least you single males can get some sort of verification and a seal on your profile. Seems like couples will have to make the trip to Utah to get a seal because we sure can`t get one living in Florida. I know someone will tell me all the ways you can get one without needing to be in Utah but the wife e-mailed the administrator back in December and still has not gotten a reply regarding another issue.
I think everyone is getting too caught up on the rating idea and not focusing on the intent of the Certification.

My translation is to help single guys be recognized as an option more so the they are now. Give the ability to clarify that they are truly single or permitted, and help those that are doing it wrong learn what attracts those that like to play with singles.

Also would not hurt to bring awareness to couples the plight of the single guy in a strongly couples game and maybe even encourage some couples to try something new with a chance that this Certification could make the even not the horror it has been rumored to be.
I've been in the life style for about 20 years now on and off. I started as a single male and joined in with a couple on a regular basis. Since then, I've been involved both married and single. Unfortunately, some single guys have cause the majority of us to be frowned upon. But it's not just single men. Two girls I know were very rudely treated by a "acceptable" married guy. He insulted both of them, luckily not in my presense. I don't mind taking a course, but doubt it'd teach me anything I don't already know. I've been asked to join many couples that we're posteed as interestged in single guys. Either a couple is interested or not. I also think everyone should have to take a course on proper etiquette in the life style.
I previously had the "real" seal on my profile but it disappeared months ago about the same time our mailboxes were cleared out. I found previous attempts with the administrator fruitless, so I did not pursue getting it restored but I do feel like that was a fair enough validation for truth in identity.

I dislike the idea of holding single males to a different standard than others. Having to take a certification test seems a bit odd and unfair to me.

I also think the point system would be a failure as was noted previously. What if I am the type that just needs a small circle of contacts here to be comfortable. A point system would work against someone like that unless they are out to conquer the world. Perhaps having something else like endorsements from a limited number like three other profiles would work. I find the comment section on some profiles also supports a profile.
I see what the admins are trying to do and I think most of you are missing the point. They are trying to find a way to HELP single men but not guarantee anything. Most of you who have replied state that you think such a program isn't neccessary because you are the respectable one, etc.... That may be true but you have to understand that the majority of single men that join this site think they can hook up with any couple with just a simple email and that's it. These guys come and go and could probably care less about taking a course, or as I would put it, taking the time to find out what people really want or are looking for.

So for those that do, it shows that they are serious and willing to so that they can enjoy this lifestyle hopefully as much as the rest of us. I for one would be more willing to contact or receive contact from a single male who was certified through this route than one who wasn't. Even if it doesn't mean that we will click or I will like who they are personally once we make contact. It's just one more step thats been taken care of for me that I don't have to deal with. But as with any type of contact, be it male, female or couple, it will always be up to me to figure out if they are a good person or not.

As for the point system, it may not be neccessary but I could see how it could help. Reading how the admin would implement it and if it were averaged out, I could see being only a benefit to that person, not a negative. I think some of you may have not READ what the admin recommends because it makes sense to me.

We seek single men every once in a while so we think this is a great idea!
I am a single male, and I think I am a good single male. Not at all sure what that means. But the idea that I should have to take a special test to play reminds me just a little of the "Poll Tax" or "literacy test" from the days gone by. Not claiming that I understand the plight of our black brothers and sisters, but anything that makes me do extra to play seems just a tad discriminatory.

By the way I have met a lot of married men that are true classic a**holes. Even met a lady or two that were not ladies.

What constitutes a good single male? Do I have to lower my eyes and shuffle my feet when a married man enters the room?

I know I am pushing the point. But, any system that requires one group to do extra in order to participate is blatantly discriminatory.

Now, if you want a system that allows us all to rate all members, or even to say these are real and these are fakes, that might be fairer
Again, you are missing the point. Not being certified doesn't prevent you from doing anything at all. It just helps the members that are looking for single men and they are the ones who will be discriminatory and have every right to do so.

We can keep everything the same but I'm telling you, it's not helping that way, this will.

If I were a single male, I would welcome anything that helps, even if it's just a little.
I really think the site already has the best possiable solution to all this Why not just look at the comments that others have added to a persons profile? Be it a couple, single male, or a single female. As for being validated as real.. That wasnt really hard for us we went to a couple parties, mingled and met some really great people, How hard is that ?
As a married guy with permission I feel compelled to post to this.

Like any of single guy I am caught in a fairly large catch 22, couples don't want me unless another couple has posted a positive comment on my profile page. If a couple does take the chance and give me the opportunity to meet in person and our personalities or whatever don't mesh right then I don't get a possitive comment, so where does that leave me? Right back at square one.

I see this certification process as a very good idea. My take on it is that it would give us single males another tool in finding a playmate or two. It would show others that were looking for a single male to join them or her, that he, at least has enough respect for them to take time to learn what he needs to do. Afterall, what does a VIP or "Certified" really mean on any other profile? It doesn't mean that they are in any way "guaranteed" to be a great couple, it only means that they took a step or two to prove that they were who they said they were. This certification would only be something similar.

Personally, I would be willing to take this class or anything else that would help me to prove who I was. The only real problem I could see with this course idea is that what is considered proper etiquette for one couple can lead to another couple thinking I was being standoffish or not interested.

I think a series of single male certifications or seals could be implemented. The first would be for completion of a beginners course, one that covers simple, basic manners of the lifestyle. Another would be for an intermediate course that covers more in depth topics like email etiquette and handling rejections. Then maybe an advanced course handling issues like how to behave properly at parties or other social functions.

Now of course just because you pass the course/courses doesn't mean that you would be immediately guaranteed anything, but it would let others know that you took to time to at least try to learn how to act.

As for the ratings system, as was mentioned above, if there were a way to make the ratings a bit less subjective then I think that it might work. Maybe something like those comment cards at restaurants and hotels where a couple could rate the single male based on certain yes/no questions.

Was he clean?
Did he insist on a condom?
Did he show up on time?
Did he ...?

Then have a short section for additional comments. The comments section could be anonymously emailed from Admin while the question section would link to a percentage rating shown on the single guy's profile page. That way one bad experience wouldn't necessarily ruin a guy's entire chances.

I don't know if any of this made sense or even helps. However, if there is anything I can do to either help get this running or written up please just let me know.
The idea of certification should be applied to everyone, males, females and couples. If it is going to be done then it should apply to everyone. The justification for this is if you apply it to just one gender, ie males then isn't that a form of discrimination? No matter if you are male, female, or a couple there are good and both in all of them. I agree that if someone is posing as a "single" when in fact they are not then they should be warned the first time, and then the 2nd time out they go. Also--profiles should reflect the true interest of everyone. If you are only interested in single male--then post it. If you only want a female--then say so. Don't put interested in all when in fact you are only interested in one or two. Be fair to everyone. I fully agree that there are people out there that have made it bad for others, but judge each individual on their own merits. We are all adults and I believe have very good reasoning and judgmental skills. I am a single male and have yet to meet anyone from here, but have enjoyed conversations with singles and couples alike. One day I hope to meet some of the great people I have talked to here. And when that meeting occurs it doesn't matter to me if something sexual happens, and if it does great but that would be a mutually agreed updon decision by the people involved. Friends come first, sexuality comes last. just thought I would add my 2 cents worth.
I agree with much that has been said here. I completely agree that a 'test' won't separate the wheat from the chaff, but heres the bottom line: I enjoy playing with single men as much as I enjoy playing with couples. If I had to choose between a guy who's taken the time to complete the 'certification' and one who has not? I'd go for the guy who had. That said, I really look at comments and those still would hold more weight for me than anything.

I think the idea of making it optional and global is a great idea. I'd do it!

Enjoy!

-Te
I
I will pass on the Certified Single Male Program. My friends on Swingular know who I am and the type of person I am. I will let those that have not had the opportunity to meet me and get to know me, form their own opinion of me if we ever meet, as my good friends on here have. Now bring on the Reddi Wip, Beads and Tequila.
SandyGuy...

You have a point! However, I must say you are the exception to the rule.

((Huggs))

-Te
As a single male I agree with this 200%. I have had alot of fun with the few couples and singles that I have met here but I have also had alot of turn downs because people can't find out anything about me. I think this will help all involved singles and couples. THe rating system also sounds great as it will let everyone know that you are what you say you are and not just playing games. Hope this all get to going soon. Please sign me up ASAP, T
I believe you are misssing the point. If I have to be certified to play and any program that is set up for single males only is and can only be thought of as discriminatory, if you don't believe me ask the US Supreme Court, then my not being certified hampers my ability to meet couples. And that thwarts my effort to be an active participant in the swinging program. If you want to be fair you have to have that certification plan be for every one.

How about a simple "Reommend" box to be on every profile men, women and couples if you want to tell others you like, simply check the box and keep a tab of the total checked boxes?



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Again, you are missing the point. Not being certified doesn't prevent you from doing anything at all. It just helps the members that are looking for single men and they are the ones who will be discriminatory and have every right to do so.

We can keep everything the same but I'm telling you, it's not helping that way, this will.

If I were a single male, I would welcome anything that helps, even if it's just a little.
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I know that SLS has a certification system where other paid members (single males, couples and females) can certify people they have physically met, and members can leave a comment about the person/couple when certifying them. This way, when you come across someone's profile, if you see the "check marks" that denote certification, you can click on that and see what other paid members had to say about that mor couple, along with the date that they posted their comments.

Key to this is that ONLY real members can "certify" someone, no guest members or trial members can do this, though they can look at the certifications and see the comments posted.

if someone posts a derogatory or unflattering comment, i believe the "certified" person can just contact customer service and they'll remove that comment for them.
Its a bit uncomfortable meeting single guys for the first time, after-all you are letting some one share the love of your life. We generally meet guys that are traveling so if they turn out to be ass holes at least they are gone. That hasn't worked because the time or two that we have met a single guy they were real nice. So now we are due for another MFM, and we have no local friend.

Some sort of Certification system would be nice.... but no rating system.

C&K
OrSun6 wrote "I believe you are misssing the point. If I have to be certified to play and any program that is set up for single males only is and can only be thought of as discriminatory, if you don't believe me ask the US Supreme Court, then my not being certified hampers my ability to meet couples."

Dude, any one in the country can discriminate in membership without offending the US Supreme Court. The practice of discrimination is largely applied to the government. If you are a country club and you don't want to admit women, you don't have to. If you are a social club and you don't want to admit minorities, you don't have to. You just can't discriminate in employment, housing, and other finances.

Nice try though...

Rating system? Bring it on. Those single guys that are upstanding, polite, friendly, and gentlemen will survive the rating system. Those that don't survive probably shouldn't be here anyway. Let's face it, we all check out each other with others. "Hey, have you met this guy named MavenX?" or "Have you heard about this couple named XXX123?" It happens. The rating system just formalizes it more.
i would like to meet mavenx someday...im sure he would get good ratings....i have heard good things about him ;)
We enjoy the sls site but understand there are loopholes in any system you use for certification. Good friends have met a single male from that site and he had a certification from a couple. Trouble is he paid for two accounts, one as a couple and the other as a single male.
You know, in thinking about this, and chatting with certain people (you know who you are!!), I am having a slight change of heart.

Why should the rating system only apply to single guys? What makes a couple more important or occupy a more prestigious position than anyone else? Yes, I know single guys are easy to find. But still.

I have met some couples where I walked away going, WTF? I have had couples flake on me. I have had e-mails from "couples" saying, "Would you like to help me get my wife into the lifestyle." They all deserve bad ratings.

What are other's thoughts on this?
Mavenx,
I completely agree with you. Being the Mrs. of a couple searching for single guys, I have to say just because someone passed a test doesn't mean I want to contact them. It also shouldn't mean they are any better than the rest of the single guys. Let's face it, I passed the drivers test and anyone who drives with me knows I should not be on the road. I am also CPR certified...just hope no body tries to die around me!
We have mainly contacted single guys, AND COUPLES, who have comments on their profile. I know there is an argument there too (and don't argue with me...Mavenx started it! LOL), but there is something to be said about people having a good reputation (or a "BAD" one, on this site..Wink). Wouldn't it be great if we could all stop bitching and put that energy into trying to help the ADMIN figure out something that we can all agree on? I mean, come on! Single guys, couples, single women....there will be some crazies in all those groups, and not so crazy. Whatever the case, we are all here for the same reason.
Ta-Ta
Mrs JJ
I agree there needs to be something for single and also for MARRIED males playing alone. I am a married male playing alone, and always say so upon out first conversation, and have found some couples love the married male becuase he is there for fun and will not try and cause a break up or see the couples lady on the "side". In this lifestyle there are people looking for a wide variety of pleasure - I have found if you treat everyone with respect you will make new friends and have a good time.

IM does not work well here for me, probably my fault, thus I have met and been certified via SLS.
THUMPERJIM,

I agree. In fact, I think even couples should have to be put under scrutiny. There are plenty of bullshit artists out there. As far as "rating" goes. I think a voluntary rating system should be up for everyone that wishes to participate.


-D-
mav:

Our best response to the how to get a wife interested is to tell the husband the very best way is for him to give her the OK to come to a club with us and for him to stay home to babysit the kids/wash the car/etc/etc.....

Tell him letting her do that and to allow her to have sex with everyone at the club repeatly for say 5 or 6 parties is the best way.

I am not sure how many of them ponder that before they realize we are making fun of them but it sure makes us laugh...

Cheez

YES, we know it is a sick thing to do but....