Let’s get this straight – you’re never really done with dating until you’ve tried online dating. Say whatever you want, but online dating could be your game changer and be the most fun and exciting way for you to meet someone, go on unpredictable dates, and possibly fall in love. If you’re ready to jump onto the Internet dating bandwagon, here are some dos and don’ts you should know!
Dos
1. Take it slow – Don’t appear needy and let things flow naturally. If there is chemistry, it will kick in sooner or later. You don’t need to push it or spam him with tons of messages when he takes long to respond. When you know more about him and you’ve started going on dates, it’s okay for him to come pick you up and drop you off. However, never ever rush into anything too quickly by inviting him in.
2. Pursue only a few at a time – One problem with Internet dating is corresponding with too many people at once. Sure, it feels great knowing that there are dozens of men going after you, but this could backfire on you if you’re not careful. You’ll also start forgetting what you said and to whom. It’ll make you look foolish when you ask the same question repeatedly.
3. Meet publicly and ensure someone knows where you are – Always remember that the person you’re meeting online is a stranger, even if you’ve gotten closer via the Internet. If you’ve agreed to meet, tell him to meet you at a mall or a public place. Besides that, always inform one or two friends about your whereabouts when you meet this person.
4. Move conversations to mobile phones – If you’ve been sending emails back and forth or you’ve been communicating via a website, move your conversations to your phones once you’re comfortable. Some people are great writers and they may even have someone else to ghost-write for them. Having conversations on your phone will give you a better sense of what the other person is like.
5. Be clear about what you want – Be very clear about what you’re looking for and be realistic about it. Make a list about your likes and dislikes in a partner, as well as the qualities and traits you’d like your partner to have. Don’t waste time on people you know you’re never going to accept and focus on the few you know may turn out fruitful.
Don’ts
1. Be naive – Make sure never to fall for corny, overused pick-up lines or compliments. Don’t be like a kid who accepts candies from strangers and follow them home because at the end of the day, no one is going to feel sorry for you if things turn out really, really wrong. Also, if he sounds way too good to be true, you might want to find out more before you realize you’ve been fooled all along.
2. Lie – When you’re creating an online profile, be truthful about yourself. Whether it is about your marital status, occupation, hobbies, income or education level, we’re pretty sure you wouldn’t like it if someone lied about themselves. If someone’s really interested in you and you lied about something, it’s just a matter of time before the truth unveils itself.
3. Disclose lots of personal information – Never ever reveal your address, full name or home phone number to the person you’ve just met online. It could be dangerous and you do not want anyone stalking you at home. While these men appear normal over the Internet, you would never know for sure and it’s not worth the risk. When you’re very sure about him, letting him pick you up from home is fine.
4. Be a critic – Enjoy your date and get to know him better instead of judging him in your head. If your inner critic gets the best of you, you may have lost what could have been a great date and a possible love interest. Your inner critic is merely pinpointing relationship red flags, but it will sabotage your ability and openness to get to know someone new. Try learning about his character.
5. Online date on your computer at work – Online dating is definitely NSFW. Always remember that your employer can access your computer via the network. Keep your dating escapades and work life separate. You can also save yourself the embarrassment if ever anyone decides to spread transcripts or copies of your messages in the office.
