When you look for dating action online, think of an adventure with unpredictable outcomes. The best thing is to be prepared and ready to get disappointed. If you hit jackpot the first time, you're extremely lucky.
Below are some pointers that may help you in your online dating adventure.
1. Watch out for lies and embellishments. Be aware that some people resort to this practice to present an excellent picture of their persona. The most common are those involving profile. These include: height, weight, age, and occupation. They may also exaggerate their scholastic accomplishments, travel experience, family background, and college education, to name some. Photos can't be trusted too. Some people use old photos of themselves back when they looked better. Most important, some people lie about their relationship status. Married people are the most notorious.
2. Take extra care when sharing your email. Most online dating sites allow you to use an anonymous internal communication system. Make sure you take full advantage of that. When you begin to feel comfortable with someone and would love to share your email address with the person, don't use your regular email address. Set up a free email address that you use strictly for your online dating activities. You can easily obtain one through yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc.
3. Be wary about sharing your personal information, as well. It's easy to get "swept off your feet" and get overly excited about the possibility of a new romance. The anonymous nature of online dating sites makes it more important than ever to protect your personal information. You need to feel the waters, so to speak. Start slow, and gradually open up or abort depending on how the scenario plays itself out.
4. Don't share your full name in the begining. Use a nom de guerre if you need to. Never provide details exactly of where you go to school, or where you work. If they ask, say something like, "Oh, I'm off school at the moment" or, "I work for a major lending company downtown." If they press you for more info, just politely say you'd rather not say until you get to know them a little better. Most people will understand and respect that, after all they'd do the same. Don't ever give them your address. Just say something like - "Oh, I live around the Burbank area." Be wary about giving out your phone number too. This is especially true of your cell phone number.
5. When you've finally set a meet, be prepared. Always have a back-up plan. Make sure you meet in a place where you have an avenue of escape in case something went wrong. Set up the meet preferrably in a public place, like a restaurant, or mall.
6. Don't get too serious too fast. Remember, you're meeting this person for the first time. Slow and easy is the key. Keep things friendly and light and gradually build up. Just let things flow. Don't rush. You may need to probe for information, but don't be blunt. You might drive away a potential treasure. Keep your head on even keel. Don't dive headlong into a relationship which could result in heartache. Discover and conquer.
Using an online dating service could help you find the ideal person for a lasting relationship. If you are the shy type and leery about using the direct approach, it is for you. Yes, it's true there are predators online, but they could be anywhere. You're just as likely to meet someone who is up to no good at the gym, bar, club, or even at work. By using it to your advantage, it will definitely work. You just need to be smart. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Now, if you're having the idea this only applies to women you're dead wrong. Think of women being used as fronts to sucker unsuspecting men into something other than dates and having fun.
Now, you're getting the picture.
The anonymity of online dating sites is both its strength and weakness. It's like a two- edged sword. It can protect the sincere and honest seeker but it also allows the predators to get away with their dirty agenda . The caveats and traps weren't mentioned here to scare you. Online dating sites can and do provide safe, fun, and exciting ways to meet people. Just use common sense. Be smart. The majority of people on online dating sites are legitimately searching for someone they can connect with, have fun with, and maybe even fall in love with.
