Online Dating
Dating Problems - Do's & Don'ts
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Are you single looking for love in all the wrong
places, too busy with your career to meet that Mr. or Miss right or being set up
by all incompatible partners on blind dates or simply too picky to find that all
elusive partner. You probably heard others finding success with meeting someone
special at a church, or a party at a friend's house or even at a grocery store.
Doesn't that make you wonder why isn't that lucky person you? Now the advent of
love and online dating websites sites has made this whole dating and romance
scene more complex. You must have heard lot of people saying only losers go to
computers for online blind dates. There is not need to ridicule or cringe at .
Statistics show that there are currently |
40 million Americans using online dating services (about 40 percent of the
single population!). So if you are single and ready to mingle, it might not be a bad idea to take advantage of this
pool of hopeful lovers. However, many people are hesitant to look for love
online, and there certainly are some cyber dangers of which you should be aware.
But don’t write off online dating just yet — as long as you follow a few simple
dos and don’ts of online dating, you might just find your soul mate on the World
Wide Web!
When dating online, DO
Be honest. Post clear and recent photographs of yourself, no matter how much you
are tempted to post a younger, thinner version. You might attract more interest
with an outdated or Photo shopped picture, but the interest will fade when the
person finds out you were misrepresenting yourself. Be honest about who you are
so that you can find someone who loves you for who you really are.
Be safe. Never post personal information like your home address or work address.
Keep your company name and personal phone numbers private. When you are ready to
speak with daters on the phone, give out your cell phone number instead of a
landline number. Cell numbers are hard to track and easy to change if necessary.
Be open. Online daters can sometimes be harsh when reviewing other daters’
profiles. For instance, if you see that he likes rock ’n’ roll and you are more
into country, you might be tempted to pass up that opportunity. Instead, be open
to new ideas and different interests. So what if he loves to be active and you
aren’t exactly athletic? Push your boundaries and be open to love in unexpected
places.
Tell your friends: Online dating has a certain stigma that makes some people
afraid to admit to their cyber search for love. However, there is nothing
embarrassing about looking for love online, and most people have tried it at
some point or another. So ditch the embarrassment and tell your family and
friends what you are up to. This way, when you meet Mr. Right, you won’t have to
make up an awkward lie to hide how you really met!
Be realistic: You might not find someone you want to date on your first, second
or even third try. But don’t get discouraged! After all, you are trying to find
someone you want to spend the rest of your life with — that is bound to take a
little effort and determination! When dating online, DON’T
Expect Brad Pitt: No matter what their photograph looks like online, be prepared
for someone a little different when you meet in person. Photos are easily
modified, and your potential date might have altered their profile picture a
little. Instead of basing your search on looks alone, try to base on it
personality and interests … this way, you won’t be disappointed when you meet a
slightly heavier version of the person you met online.
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Use your profile to rant: Even if you are feeling a little bitter about dating
and love, don’t let it show on your profile. For instance, comments like “All
the good ones are taken” or “I have been cheated on more times than I can count”
do not make you seem like a happy or confident person. Instead, be upbeat and
positive when describing yourself online — people like happy people, so you will
be sure to get more interest with a positive profile. Moreover, research has
found that when you act confident and happy, you actually feel more confident
and happy! Take chances: No matter how much you think you know someone
from online chats, you need to take precautions when meeting them in person.
Meet in safe, public places and tell your friends your location. Have a |
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time when you call and check
in with a trusted family member or friend, and if you don’t call, they should
know to alert the police. It sounds alarmist, but it is always better to be safe
than sorry!
Forget about your non-cyber self: Online dating is a great resource, but you
shouldn’t abandon your life in favor of the Internet. Stay active in your
interests outside of the Internet. Keep connected to your social circle so that
you can continue to meet potential dates in the real world.
And, finally, never give up! Real love is out there, and it is available to
anyone who is open and ready to search for it. Good luck in your quest for true
love and using online dating services for online dating. |
