When first introduced to online dating, I was using it as a supplement to approaching women in real life. Slowly, yet surely, my in-person approaches decreased; the convenience factor made that inevitable. Anyone successful with online dating telling you that their cold approaches remained the same or increased is full of shіt. As mentioned, online dating is one of the greatest buffers, giving you intimacy without the effort, similar to masturbation.
We aren't developed to naturally do a face to face approach. It is far out of our comfort zone. My friends speak loudly and think they're hot shots, but when I tell them to approach a chick, they come up with the most bullshіt reasons - even with alcohol. Their retarded confidence and bloated ego couldn't handle the anxiety and risk of rejection. These guys wouldn't give a damn talking among their friends, but when introduced to the idea of cold approaching, their balls shrivel up. A complete lack of self esteem. How many men would drink their own piss, rather than approach a women while sober? The thought of cold approaching makes us uncomfortable because your target and everyone in the vicinity will judge you. You have already given her higher value even before words are said. This is the very definition of putting women on a pedestal.
Online dating and cold approaching success are not related. The elements of approach are entirely different, just like day game and night game. Your success with getting numbers online does not correlate to success getting the number in person. The playing fields are far cry. The idea of using online dating to get dates for newbies, calling it 'training wheels' is utter bullshіt. If you want to teach a child patience, you don't just give him a front-of-the-line pass. You make him wait, otherwise, he will never understand or experience the effort he must put forth. If you can enter a cheat and play god mode, would the game be worth playing?