According to CBC, there are over 40 million visitors to online dating sites in the US and 7 million in Canada. Although these numbers may seem staggering, there are millions of other still who are hesitant to delve into the world of dating online. Why is this? What are the real risks of online dating? How can you keep yourself safe on and offline?
The first, and one of the most important rules is to never reveal any personal information, especially on a public profile where anyone with the internet can access it. Personal information of this nature includes real names, addresses, phone numbers, and any other sensitive information, especially banking or financial information. Contact information, like phone numbers and addresses should only be given to people once a certain level of trust and regular communication has been established. When dating online, protecting sensitive personal information that others can use to get access to money, personal files, and so on, can help protect your finances, and personal safety.
Meeting people from online dating sites face to face is also often perceived as quite risky. While there certainly are risks involved with meeting new people, certain safety precautions can, and should, be taken. For example, always meet in a public place, and keep a cell phone with you at all times. Tell a friend where you’re going, and who with. It’s also a good idea to designate a check in time, where you’ll call a friend to tell them where you are and how things are going, and let them know you’re safe.
Many people who stay away from dating online do so because of the perceived risks of meeting strangers over the internet. Though there certainly are risks to online dating, proper safety precautions and awareness of risks and strategies can help minimize these risks and make dating online a safe and enjoyable experience.
Information And Advice On Online Dating
Spruce up your appearance ladies and take grooming very, very seriously. For, where a man is concerned, nothing has changed so far as his dating instincts go. It’s just that technology is serving as a medium to couple up people made for each other. Online dating is the new buzz for all mate seekers. Who knows you meet the love of your life chatting for no reason. Online dating is a modern system which allows individuals to meet online and share their heart stories to develop a nice friendly relationship. It is a boon for those who are introvert and seems a bit scared at times. Internet gives you all chances to share your feelings with an unknown and when you find the person compatible, you may go and meet him/her. All you need to do is inviting him/her to meet or after few chats you may opt for talking on phones followed by a couple of meetings.
Well, if you don’t know how to get into it, all you have to do is make a search of dating sites that allows you to go for online dating. Once you are on the dating site you can see varied kind of people. Not, all of them are there for fun, few seek serious relationship, few are for casual encounters and few are quiet shy to talk in person. Hence, communicating with to them and sharing their views might be a lifetime experience for you. Finding a like minded person on a dating site is pretty easy. The ball is in your court and entire decision lies on you to choose any boy/girl whose profile interests you to date.
You may be scared of the disadvantages of online dating. It is agreed that online dating is stigmatized with various drawbacks including non credibility and deliberate misleads. But, remember “no risk, no gain”. Incredible and misleads may also happen in real life, so does that mean we stop meeting different people? That’s not the way we human live our lives. You should not forget that on internet, one get every chance to test the person at psychological, emotional or intellectual level. Moreover, the security to hide your vital information serves you an upper hand. Blocking people who by-pass your right as a net user is another advantage to get rid of them whom you don’t want to be around. These securities and captious approach makes online dating a safe place to search your lover. Throw away scary dreams of being alone and get a right match for yourself through online dating sites.
A Beginners Guide To Online Dating – 5 Great Tips!
Did you know that two out of five single people in the UK now use some kind of on line dating service? That’s 40% of all singles! Unfortunately, the percentage of these people who actually find a real romance as a direct result of their site memberships is very low – probably less than 10%.
Why is this? Well, it’s true that some sites are better than others; they have more traffic, they are better to navigate; they just ‘work’ whilst others just don’t. But what really matters is how you use a site when you actually sign-up to one. Take my word for it, unless you take the five simple steps that I’m about to outline, you may as well do something more productive with your time than join a singles site. What I’m about to say may sound obvious and rather simplistic, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t bother doing the ‘obvious’. So here goes…
1. Create A Great Profile. This is the most important aspect of your dating site experience. Don’t just say ‘Nice guy seeks nice girl for trips to the cinema’ – how boring does that sound? Take the time to say something about yourself, your lifestyle, your interests and the type of person you’re hoping to meet. And remember to sound happy, upbeat, fun and confident; if you’re miserable about your recent breakup, then keep it to yourself! This isn’t the time for modesty; if you think you’re pretty darn attractive, then be sure to say so. And humour is a real ice-breaker – if you can make someone laugh, they’ll be more likely to want to contact you.
2. Always Upload A Photo. Even if you don’t have a very flattering one to hand, you should always post a pic with your profile. Remember, 95% of people on dating sites only search for other members who have bothered to provide a picture of themselves. You want to see what other potential partners look like so it stands to reason that other people will want to know what you look like too. If your photo isn’t recent or isn’t a great likeness of you, you can always say so in your profile.
3. Be Proactive. Don’t just join a site and expect other people to contact you. Make sure you regularly search the database for people with whom you might be compatible and when you find someone you like the look or sound of, write to them immediately and tell them why you think you might be a good fit.
4. Write Great Emails. OK, you’ve joined a dating site, you’ve searched for other members who fall within your specified categories, and you’ve been presented with a page of matching profiles. You’re eager to fire off a few emails…but what on earth do you say in them? Re-read the paragraph above about creating a great profile and apply the same rules to the first email that you send to another member. If it looks like you can’t be bothered to say much or that you’re sending the same one line message to several people, then they probably wont bother to reply. Tell that person a little about who you are and why you think you might both be compatible – respond directly to what you’ve read in that person’s profile – sound interested and interesting and you’ll get an email by return – sound boring and downbeat and you’ll just be ignored.
5. Check Back With The Site. There are two reasons why you should do this as often as possible. The most obvious one is to keep up to speed with who has joined since you last logged-on; that special someone might have signed-up since you last visited the site so don’t miss out. However, what most people don’t realise is that when you log-in to a dating site, your profile moves up the listings on the internal search engine which means that you are more likely to be spotted and subsequently contacted by other people. Don’t be a stranger to the site you’ve joined and I recommend that you visit the site at least once a day during the lifetime of your membership.
So there you have it – 5 easy ways to make your chosen dating site work for YOU. Have fun and happy hunting!
10 Tips To Online Dating
Years ago, the grocery store was the best place to meet a potential new love interest. Today, online dating is quickly becoming the singles hot spot with individuals around the world looking to meet someone new. Photo profiles that detail personal information is becoming the norm in online dating and gives individuals an opportunity to see what a potential mate looks like on paper before taking the next step.
If you are considering online dating, there are a few tips that can help make the experience a more enjoyable and successful one.
Online Dating Tip # 1
Find someone who shares your common interest, life goals and family preferences. It is important to share some of the same hopes in order for a relationship to be worthwhile.
Online Dating Tip # 2
Use caution when giving out personal information, including your full name, address or telephone number. At first, provide nothing more than an e-mail address.
Online Dating Tip # 3
During casual conversations, look for possible warning signs of control, jealousy or tempers.
Online Dating Tip # 4
If an individual seems to be extremely needy or needs to talk to you every minute, this may be a sign of possessive behavior and should be recognized early. If you notice this happening, move on and find another possible online dating match.
Online Dating Tip # 5
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s perfectly normal to inquire about marital status, children, hopes, dreams, etc. If someone is uncomfortable with these questions, it’s a good indication they have something to hide.
Online Dating Tip # 6
Don’t rush. Take the time to get to know someone before you decide that you are comfortable enough to meet them. A relationship takes time to build and there is no reason to rush into anything.
Online Dating Tip # 7
If you learn that someone hasn’t been honest about his/her profile or other detail, end the dating potential immediately. Dishonesty is no way to begin a relationship and it makes you question anything else that he/she may be hiding.
Online Dating Tip # 8
With honesty in mind, it is important that you be honest in your profile and with anyone whom you are having an online dating relationship with. If and when the relationship is ready to move to the next level, it will be too late to correct anything that wasn’t truthful and the chance of a relationship will likely be lost.
Online Dating Tip # 9
If you plan to meet someone in person, do so in a public place. Preferably, the meeting time would be early in the day or the afternoon. It is never a good idea to meet a perfect stranger at dark or in a secluded area.
Online Dating Tip # 10
Be yourself. Don’t pretend to like something or be someone that you are not just to please the other person. If they are the right one for you, there will not be a reason to pretend.
Internet Dating Safety Tips
Anyone who has ever heard of the Internet, whether they have used an Internet dating service or not, is well aware of some of the dangers that dating over the World Wide Web can pose. The fact is, if you Internet dating can actually be a more rewarding experience than dating out in the “real world”, and you may even be more insulated from a negative experience on the Internet that you would be in a face to face situation. The Internet offers several screening experiences that are simply not possible when dating face-to-face, and using these opportunities to your advantage can result in an extremely successful online dating experience.
In order to remain safe on the online dating site, start off your experience with each prospective date with caution. I recommend a step-by-step elevation process. Begin your search through the use of a screen name that others will address you as when they wish to contact you. Progressing to first names is not too big a step, but giving out your last name certainly is- do not do it until you have spent a reasonable amount of time talking to the other person and have a feel for the kind of person they are. Set up a separate email account for communicating with potential dates, and never give out any personal information on the first communications. If you feel the other person is pressing you for this information, be prepared to stop communication (if they are pressuring you on something like this already, the odds are good that you will face further pressures if you establish a relationship anyway).
Pay a lot of attention to what the other person is saying, and make sure to register any comments they make that are suspicious or contradictory as you talk. Don’t rush into anything- you don’t have to meet until you are both comfortable. As you chat, you will both need to establish a direct and forthright rapport with each other, in order to establish the trust which is necessary for a face-to-face meeting (this is one of the unique aspects of Internet dating- the foundation of trust is already there before you have even really met, therefore if it all seems to be working out you are several steps ahead of where you would be if you had met in the flesh initially).
Some hard evidence is always good to establish some trust and a deepening of the relationship. Request a photo, and be prepared to reciprocate. It can be daunting to send that photo, but if the goal is to meet eventually then you are going to see each other sooner or later anyway.
Finally, when it comes time to meet, make sure it is in a highly visible area, with many other people around. Don’t be too private on the first date- dinner at a restaurant, a movie in a theater- something with plenty of other people around as you get to really know the person.
Internet dating is growing in popularity and can be a great way to find and establish a great relationship. The mantra “there are a lot of weirdos out there” certainly rings true, but the simple fact is that this is also true in “real” life. Exercising some additional caution in Internet dating will ensure that you have safe experiences, although just like in real life they may not always bear fruit.
Words Of Advice On Dating Online
Dating online has made the world a smaller place since meeting that special someone no matter how near or far is just a click away.
If one decides to try online dating, here are few advices one must remember along the way;
1. Take it slow
There are a lot of nice people online but there are also some bad people who just take advantage of others. To be sure whether the person one is corresponding with is for real or just playing games, it is best to look out for inconsistencies. If at any instance, there is a feeling of doubt or something wrong, then its best to stop and move on.
2. Don’t give out personals
Since one does not have any idea who this person can be, it is best not to give out any personal information such as last name, real email address and contact numbers. If the person one is corresponding with keeps on pressuring on this issue, it is best to also stop making contact with that person.
3. Ask for a photo
Some people say it does not matter what is in the outside but what is inside the person. Physical appearance believe it or not matters. To authenticate the person one is talking with online, it is best to ask for a photo. For security reasons, it will be best not just one picture but in various settings. If this person is not able to do this, then one should also stop making contact with this person.
4. Proceed with caution
Earning the trust of people does not happen overnight. By taking some time to know more about this person, one will be able to see if this can on any further or be better off meeting someone else.
5. Meet only when ready
Even if a certain level of trust has been established, it is best to only decide to meet when one is ready. Just like meeting someone for the first time, one should take it slow.
6. Choose a public area
Before meeting this person, it is best to tell people like friends and family where one is going. In the interest of safety and security, it is also best to meet in a public place. If there are many people that are around, the safer it will be in case the date does not workout.
Meeting people online may be a little different from meeting someone new through friends. The similarities in both situations are; it takes time to know a person and there is nothing wrong being too careful especially with matters of the heart.
Choosing an Online Dating Site
You’ve been looking for just the right person to explore a relationship with but you can’t seem to find them. Going to social get-togethers and saying yes to your friends’ set-ups have been fun, but they aren’t offering the kind of person you’d like to explore a long term future with.
Online dating is a way that you may be able to expand the pool of potential relationship opportunities. If you’ve watched any television lately you know there are many sites available offering relationship advice and possible connections, but which is the best for you. Each of us is, of course, a little different so consider these thoughts as you go about deciding which online dating site will work for you.
Safety
It would be safe to say that just about everybody has heard about identity theft in today’s society. Even before you begin the process of online dating, and accepting advice on dating, you should be aware that as soon as you enter some piece of information, and hit “return” ,that information is out there never to be taken back. Right from the very start you should be absolutely sure that you want that piece of information available to the world.
If a site asks for… just don’t
As you investigate the dating sites out there know rule number one; if a site asks for your identity number (social security number) do not give it over, look for another site. If a site asks for a telephone number; do not give it over, look for another site. If a site asks for your street address; do not give it over, look for another site.
Costs
Decide whether you would like to pay a fee for the use of an online dating service and the dating tips that they will give. There are many good sites out there that offer great match opportunities and relationship advice for free. The overall services that the pay sites may offer could be more numerous then the free sites but that does not necessarily mean that they have a better success rate.
Services
The benefit of services really depends upon how selective you would like to be in your search for the right person. Each site available has a certain set of services that they offer. These services are for you to select your match and to get to know that match. Selecting a site that offers a lot of services depends on what makes you comfortable in getting to know the other person. Some of the services offered include: social groupings, photo, age, sex preference, regional groupings, advice on dating and other preferences.
Contact procedures
Getting to know somebody online is one thing but meeting them for the first time in person or over the phone is quite another. Check to see if the site has a procedure where you can take the next step with a certain amount of safety built in. For example; can you speak with your online contact over the phone without either of you knowing the phone number of the other person?
Membership
Check out the membership of the online dating site. In many instances, the site will open itself up to a little poking around. See if the membership has a good representation in your region and if they are largely; young, older, divorced, professional or religious etc. Oddly, international representation can be a good indicator of a sites’ validity. Although there are exceptions, if a site has a large international representation you may want to be a bit more careful about your selection process. This is because some of the matches may have ulterior motives. These matches will also require a few international dating tips.
Ease of use
You’ll just have to figure this one out for yourself. Every site will be set up a little different from the others in how they are structured. In a certain sense, this is a good thing for you. If you feel comfortable with the site structure and your match feels comfortable you already have a certain similarity in how you think and work. The closer you get to similar thought patterns the fewer dating tips you will need.
Professionally oriented
Think about how the site is set up to do business. After all, a majority of sites are trying to make a buck. If the site is set up in a professional looking way and responds to your questions regarding relationship advice or match selections the site is likely genuine in its desire to match you up. If the site is a jumble of personal ads with little structure you may want to give it a closer look before you get involved.
Success rates
Start by asking friends that may have used the site. Ask if they have had a certain amount of luck meeting decent people. If they have, you may have similar luck. Another option, although it is wise to be a bit skeptical, is to ask for testimonials. It may be difficult to figure out who is sincere and who is not but listening for pat answers or inflections in their voices may help to weed out the less sincere couples. You might also ask them for advice of dating when using the service. This is new territory for you so asking how the process worked for them is a good idea.
Does the site offer advice?
Dating advice, relationship advice or other tips that can help you along are good indicators of a site that really wants you to succeed. You are really looking for a partnership with the site as much as with a relationship partner. In many ways, it is a lot like interviewing for a job. If somebody offers advice you at least listen. You may not use the job or dating advice but every little tip could help.
What do you really want?
This could be quite a bit trickier to answer then you may think. Having an idea of what you want and what will work can be a lot different then what will actually make the best match. If a site offers a personality or matching test, be honest with whom you feel you really are. There is really no sense in lying to yourself and wasting everybody’s time in the process.
Dating Advice – Tips To Follow When Using Online Dating Sites
When you respond to an ad, posted by a lady, youhave to know that you are not the only one. It’s more likely that you r the 35-th person that is writing to her… I’d like to make a suggestion. Right here, right now, log on to the web and register yourself at match.com section as a lady (about 23 y/o, nice and slim).
Be sure that you use an e-mail that is not valuable for you – getting a new free one for the purpose is a good idea.
This is going to be a small experiment. After a couple of days you’ll find out two things:
• it’s cool to be a lady in the NET 🙂
• the approximate number of people you are competing with.
Something more important – you’ll get the idea about what are the other guys writing about. This is valuable information.
Don’t hesitate and be desperate if you get 40 emails the first day from all sorts of guys willing to go on a date with you.
I’ll tell you how to make women think you differ from them.
Online Dating Tip 1
The usual mistake
Well, let’s suppose u did the experiment that I suggested. I bet you’ll find a couple dozens of variations of the following:
“Hi! My name is Bob. I’m 2x/3x/4x… y/o. I live in PutTheName City. I’m (body measures&eye-hair colour follows). I work at a ImagineSomeBusiness
Company. I like doing (this varies a lot). We might give it a try if u r interested 😉 Bob”
This sounds pathetic, doesn’t it?
Bob is wasting his time.
Of course – he has his own chances.
If his job or hobby matches the lady’s ones, he’ll probably get an answer. If also the lady is posting an ad for the first time, and Bob is the first one to answer, again he’ll probably get a reply.
Pay attention to the word “first”. 1 is the loneliest number…
Where is he mistaking….
Bob might be a cool guy, but he shows nothing of it.
What he does is a simple announcing of facts. His personality remains covered. As I said, he could be a good psychologist, witty, emotional and educated – whole bunch of features that women consider valuable.
But if all this remains hidden behind these plain body/work/hobby facts, it’s quite easy for a lady to decide that nothing of it exists… With other words –
Bob is wasting his valuable online time. As I said, only the fact-match remains something that can hook a lady.
This is something very thin to rely on…
Online Dating Tip 2
So, what to do?
The answer is simple – you have to put some personality in your e-mail.
Once you do this, you can be sure that you can leave an impression. If you manage to do this, your work is done.
Remember the features I was talking aboutpsychologist, witty, emotional and educated. You have to convince the lady that you can think, have sense of humour and you haven’t missed the classes at school.
Make her laugh, make her think; don’t disturb her with spelling mistakes and your chances to get a reply increase dramatically. It doesn’t matter if the lady is educated or not – she wants you to be such. Let me say a few words about each one of these features…
Be a psychologist!
Online Dating Tip 3
When you e-mail a lady you have to show yourself as a psychologist.
Well, how are you supposed to do this? Simple – you have to make a small prediction that comes out to be true.
First you have to read the lady’s ad and gather all the valuable information.
Try to understand what is the proper motivation for her to post an ad. It might be stated directly – than it is useless for you to mention it.
If she does not say it clear, then go for it – she’ll be pleased to hear that someone understands her. One thing that you can always use is the fact that quite a lot of people write something similar to the ad that I showed you above.
You can predict that the lady is probably already tired of ads, telling about heights, weight and eyecolour. Say that you won’t bother her with useless facts. Promise to send her a picture instead in some of your following letters.
Of course – do it if she replies. If you manage to make such a “working” prediction, this will convince the lady that the space between your ears is not filled with air. You know, even if you are not quite right, she might reply to tell where you are wrong. This is also a base for conversation. Use it. Be witty!
Showing some sense of humour – well, something that is difficult to achieve sometimes. What I can say is JOKE WITH YOURSELF, NOT WITH HER! REMEMBER THAT! Don’t use any of the info that she gives as a material for jokes!
It might work, but it’s more likely that you back the lady off. Try to get her point of view – she’ll say “Who the hell is he to speak like that?!” Don’t risk! In the same time, you can always make laugh from the way you look. Use phrases like “It could be damn worse” or “I don’t cover the mirrors with
sheets at my place” when talking about your appearance.
It’s a basic thing to show that you like yourself. If you don’t, well… this is a little bit far from the topic of this article, but do an effort not to show it (and constantly work to change this).
It’s a basic statement that you have first to like and love the person that you see in the mirror in order the others to like and love you. Back to humour -keep the lines that are supposed to make her laugh unexpected and short.
Online Dating Tip 3
Telling long stories with funny end is not a quite good idea – the end might not be that funny and the whole reading might be in vain. Coming up with a witty line at the moment of writing an e-mail is not always possible.
It’s a good idea always to keep your ears opened for funny things, quotes, etc. Write them down the moment you hear them, or when they come to your
mind.
10 Dating Safety Tips For Online And Off
Still looking for a special someone? Just be sure to keep yourself safe. Here are ten ways to find love for your heart but keep your personal protection on your mind.
1. Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely by email, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. The person at the other end may not be who or what he says he is. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your safety and protection.
2. Make sure all contact on a member site takes place through a double-blind system, ensuring your true identity is protected until you decide to reveal it. Never include your last name, home address, phone number, place of employment, email address or any other identifying information in your profile or initial messages. When corresponding with someone, turn off your email signature file. Stop communicating with anyone who puts pressure on you for personal information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.
3. Cautious decisions will result in a better dating experience. Be sure to protect yourself against trusting the untrustworthy; potential boyfriends must earn your trust gradually over time, through consistently honorable, straightforward behavior. Take all the time you need to investigate for a straightforward person and pay careful attention along the way. If you suspect someone is lying, he probably is, so act accordingly. Be responsible about romance, your heart will thank you. Don’t become prematurely intimate with someone, even if that intimacy only occurs online. If you mutually decide to cross the point of no return, be smart and protect yourself. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/ ) provide some of the most current information available about sexually transmitted diseases and preserving your health.
4. Most online dating services do not require members to submit to background checks. So make sure you get as much info as possible by asking questions, utilizing internet search engines and most importantly, using common sense. Nothing is 100% reliable, just remember to use your head…not just your heart.
5. A photo will give you a good idea of the person’s appearance, which may prove helpful in achieving a gut feeling. In fact, it’s best to view several images of someone in various settings: casual, formal, indoor and outdoors. If all you hear are excuses about why you can’t see a photo, consider that he has something to hide.
6. A phone call can reveal much about a person’s communication and social skills. Consider your security and do not reveal your phone number to a stranger. Try a cell phone number instead or use local telephone blocking techniques to prevent your phone number from appearing on a Caller ID. Give out your phone number ONLY when you feel completely comfortable.
7. The beauty of meeting someone online is that you can collect information gradually, later choosing whether to pursue the relationship in the offline world. You never are obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level on online intimacy. And even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. It’s possible that your decision to keep the relationship anonymous is based on a hunch that you can’t logically explain. Trust yourself. Go with your instincts
8. Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags. You should be concerned if your date exhibits any of the following behavior without providing an acceptable explanation: Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc. Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing ongoing, online intimacy. Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions. Appears significantly different in person from his or her online persona. Never introduces you to friends, professional associates or family members.
9. When you choose to meet offline, always tell friends where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date’s name and telephone number with a friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around (a familiar restaurant or coffee house is often a good choice), and when the date is over, leave on your own as well. Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could weaken your ability to make good decisions. If at some point you and your date decide to move to another location, take your own car. When the timing is right thank your date for getting together and say goodbye
10. If you plan to fly in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not make known the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make arrangements for you. Get a rental car at the airport and drive directly to your hotel. Always call your date from the hotel. You can also check out the location you both agreed to meet at ahead of time to see exactly where it is and to get more familiar with an area . If the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, go back to your hotel. Try to contact your date at that location or leave a message on an answering machine. Always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information. And carry a cell phone at all times.
Never do anything you feel unsure about. If you are in any way afraid of your date, use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. Excuse yourself long enough to call a friend for advice, ask someone else on the scene for help or slip out the back door and drive away. If you feel you are in danger, call the police; it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior; your safety is much more important than one person’s opinion of you.
While cheaters, liars and frauds certainly can be very convincing on the Web, you’ll also find them in nightclubs and offline dating services, parties or even sitting across from you at your local coffee house. Despite where you meet someone, dating is never risk-free, but a little caution will reduce your risk to your safety when trying to find that certain someone for your heart.
6 Tips For Safe Online Dating
There is no doubt that online dating can put you in touch with some great people and you may just end up finding your Prince Charming or Dream Girl as the case may be. However, online dating is not without its risks. This is why I have put together these online dating safety tips which will help you to have a fun experience, while keeping yourself out of harms way.
1. Your safety lesson in online dating starts from your profile itself. Make sure not to reveal exact personal details (real name, telephone numbers, street addresses etc) in your profile for everyone to see. For the first few weeks you should communicate with other daters only through the message system that is available on the sites. This personal messaging system keeps your name and contact details anonymous so that you can get to know the other person without revealing your true identity. Once you feel you know someone well enough, you can then disclose your personal details and also set up a date. And in case you do end up communicating with someone who turns out to be a creep (they are unfortunately unavoidable), your real identity will be protected.
2. Once you do set up a date with an online friend, always ensure that you do not ask them to come over to your home on the first date itself. No, you should not even have them pick you up at home. Instead, arrange to meet up at the designated spot.
3. If you have a friend who is also into online dating, you could get together with your friend and have a double date. This way, you won’t be alone when you meet your online friend, and you will also have someone to get away with in case your date turns out to be a bore!
4. Never ever agree to have your first date in a private or secluded spot. You may think that this is very basic advice, but you’ll be amazed (perhaps shocked may be a better word!) to know that countless people still make this mistake and end up in prospectively dangerous situations. You should pick an open and public place for your date; say a restaurant, the park, etc. If you do decide to go to another place with your date, do not get into the car with them. Take your own vehicle or call and ask a friend to take you there. Yes, all this may seem like too much trouble, but better to be safe than sorry!
5. Avoid drinking alcohol on your first date. If you must, make sure you have just a couple of drinks and no more. Ask the waiter or the bar tender to serve you. If you have left the drink for any reason, perhaps to visit the rest room, do not have the same drink when you do return.
6. Before you leave for your date, make sure a friend or relative knows where you are going and when to expect you back. If something untoward does happen, you at least know that someone will be out looking for you.
Thus, by keeping these online dating safety tips in mind, you can rest easy that you are doing all you can to protect yourself. And with that worry off your mind, you are free to go out and have a whale of a time with your new online date!