Most of the time, online dating makes people more careful about who they date, which can't be a bad thing in this day and age!
How many times have you met someone in a bar or club and given them your phone number without knowing much about them?
With online dating, you can talk to someone anonymously for as long as you want to get to know them and decide if you can trust them. You go on dates at your own pace, and you don't have to tell anyone anything personal about yourself unless you want to.
If you want to join an online dating service or have already done so, make sure you follow safety rules.
Here are some tips for dating online, and if you decide to meet someone, here are some tips for dating "offline."
Online dating
- Don't lie in your profile and don't use a fake picture. Remember that being honest really is the best policy, so if you want to meet someone real, you should just be yourself.
- Don't put any personal information, like your home or work address, email address, or phone number, in your profile. Reputable dating sites put safety first so that their members can date online in a safe way. If you put personal information in your profile, it will be deleted right away.
- Getting a free email account like Hotmail is a good idea. This way, if you no longer want to talk to a member, you don't have to give them your main email address.
- If you think a member is lying to you, be careful. Watch out for someone who:
- Spend some time getting to know someone online before telling them anything personal about yourself or setting up a time to meet. Use places where you can send messages without being seen.
-Forces you to meet right away.
-Puts pressure on you to give them your personal contact information, but won't give you any personal information about themselves.
-Is different from what we know about their age, marital status, job, etc.
-Avoids giving direct answers to reasonable questions.
-Contradicts the information on their profile or what they've told you before.
- If someone makes you feel bad, don't email them anymore. Again, most reputable dating sites have ways for you to block a member's messages right away if they bother you.
- Don't be afraid to flirt a little if you want to, but don't flirt too much or it could be misinterpreted. Don't talk about sex or make it sound like that's what you want.
"Offline" dating
- If you call another member, use the blocking feature so your number doesn't show up on Caller ID.
- Bring your cell phone with you and leave it on.
- Bring enough money for a taxi home, and even if your date seems like a great person, don't let him or her drive you home.
- Don't drink too much, and don't leave your drink alone. Keep your head on straight.
- If you want to meet someone "offline," don't tell them too much about yourself at first. First give your email address and then your cell phone number. Both of these are easy to change if you need to.
- If you make plans to meet someone, make sure the first meeting is in a public place and, if possible, during the day. Don't meet them at your house for the first time, and don't invite them there until you feel ready.
- Tell someone who you're meeting, where you're going, and what time you should be back home.
Lastly, be smart and go with your gut, because it's usually right.
