Just a few pointers before I leave you to seek out your future husbands, wives, exes and flings:
Once you’ve been on a date or two, you will at some point realize that this wonderful stranger is quickly becoming a part of your life- for better or for worse. While traditional dating is usually established on the basis of some mutual interest or setting: such as a mutual friend, a mutual workplace, or shared interest; many Internet relationships are based solely on the fact that you share a mutual interest in online dating. So take your time and get to know someone at an optimistically cautious pace until you get to know them better.
Breaking Up and Some Safety Precautions:
It is important to recognize that it’s okay for relationships not to work out, and you’re better off cutting bait early before real emotions get involved, than force yourself to tolerate a mate that drives you crazy just because you’re too nice to end the relationship.
Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations on early dates:
- Don’t go to some secluded place like a boat, on a hike, or to a private residence.
- Don’t assume that private parties are a safe place to get to know someone, especially if you don’t know anyone else at the party.
- Tell a friend where you are going and when you will be back- call if you’re going to be late
- Don’t bring excessive money or valuables
- Watch your drink when in a bar or at a party and never accept an open drink that you didn’t see poured in front of you
- Consider bringing a discrete personal security device such as a stun gun or pepper spray.
Don’t get scammed, and recognize these potential warning signs:
- If anyone asks you to buy something for them, even if they offer to pay you back (they won’t)
- If they sound financially depressed when they meet you online (how could they afford the service, the Internet, a computer, etc., let alone have time for online dating if they were really in financial trouble).
- If you haven’t met in person after 3 months of communicating online, then you’re wasting your time and possibly falling for a scam (they’re stalling until you feel comfortable enough to buy them something).
- Be realistic and move at a safe and sane pace. New medical research has proven that men especially, take greater financial risks when they are under the influence of potential sexual reward This makes you very vulnerable when presented with the proposition of possible sexual reward with any correspondent on the Internet, and international crooks know this.
- Don’t agree to accept packages to your house from anyone on their behalf, and never agree to pay to forward these packages to another address. This is a major scam where credit cards are illegally charged and the products delivered to an unwitting participant, usually under the impression that they are helping a potential partner, only to later find they will never be reimbursed for their expenses and worse yet, may be implicated in a major credit fraud case.
- If you ever feel the urge to ask them if they would scam you, then you’re probably being scammed already.
- And realistically, if you’re a poor fat slob with a boring job and some obviously attractive person is seducing you, it’s probably a front and they are likely scamming you (especially if you haven’t met in person).
Problem Ex:
In the case that you’ve somehow attracted a mate that for one reason or another creates a problem or a threat to you in any way, do not hesitate to contact the authorities and have a restraining order put in place to protect your place and person. And don’t listen to threats from bitter ex-flings: their rants are generally removed from any community postings.
So there you have it, just about everything you need to know to go out into the online dating world with extreme confidence and with a strategy that is marked for success. Remember not to get discouraged- it’s a competitive world out there, and it may take you some time before you make that perfect match. But all good things come to those who wait, and perseverance is key in finding love in this lifetime, whether you do so in a bar, at your office, or as we’ve covered in this comprehensive tome: on the wonderful World Wide Web.