Asia FriendFinder provides a way for people of Asian descent and those who love them to meet each other, in Asia, the U.S., and elsewhere.
As with other sites in the FriendFinder network, here non-paying members can set up a profile, but they can't initiate contact (usually), read full profiles of others, or browse all the listings. However, if someone pays an extra $19.95/mo., free members can contact him or her.
Features at Asia FriendFinder include instant messenger, a member-written advice "magazine," and the ability to set up a friend network, which lets you share private photo galleries and network with other members. Members can also put up photo albums and post testimonials about other members. You have the option of whether or not to show your signup date. Their "Cupid" system will email you links to likely matches, based on your settings. The membership auto-renew is automatically set to "ON" unless you go in and change it--but that's easy to do.
Membership here is totally global; you can browse profiles by continent, country, and state/province where applicable. Of course, not all countries are teeming with members. If you live in Madagascar and you don't fancy the two member residents' profiles, well then I think you probably have to move.
Several chat rooms are organized by geographic area (in Asia, that is) and topic (like 30-somethings and photo-sharing). There are also chatrooms for different languages: GB, Chinese, and English.
I interviewed M.W., a 41-year-old hetero woman from BC, Canada. She says, "In terms of truthfulness, most members do not match what they put in their profiles." She also indicates that "Sometimes there would be problems with 'reloading' and screen 'refreshing.'" I noticed this as well. Every time the chat window refreshes, it bumps you out of any other window you may be working in at the time. Very annoying. M.W. suggests, "It would be better if there were some kind of instructions to the features on the site."
M.W. enjoys the chatroom "as it is open to public conversation, nevertheless, it would be more interesting and friendlier if there were some guidelines or etiquette with regards to talking manners in the chat room (ie: spamming, swearing, slandering...)" Now, this I found extremely amusing, since I found the AFF chatroom by far the friendliest most genteel chatroom of any I've visited in my time so far as Da Dame.
I also interviewed M.H., a 38-year-old hetero man in CA. Of his experience, he says, "It’s been a pleasant one. I’ve made new friends. Along the way, I’ve had a few heated discussions with certain chatmates, but overall it’s been a good experience. [How about a love connection?] None, for I’ve convinced myself that online romance is not one that I will believe in. [Why?] No particular reason. I just don’t believe in it. Online romance being one, and long-distance relationship being another." This I also found amusing, since M.H.'s profile says that he is looking for "Women for a short term relationship, a long term relationship, marriage, a friend, an activity partner or a pen pal." Doesn't really seem to reflect his attitude about online romance. Ah, well.
