Online Dating Tips

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So after years of being involved in a steady relationship you now find yourself single and searching for a new romantic interest and you’re just not sure how to get started. Some friends have recommended online dating as a way for you to get back into the swing of things and you’ve decided it’s worth the time.

So when you first sign up with an online dating service they ask you to set up a profile that not only assists the service to match you up with other potential dates, but it also allows others who have registered with the online dating site to search your profile for ‘key’ indicators that they might want to get to know you better.

We don’t want to scare you – but not everyone is as they represent themselves!! There are some common sense things that you need to be aware of when you’re joining an online dating service.

In November of 2004 it was reported that there were nearly 850 online dating sites including sites dedicated to specific lifestyles, simple dating, friendship or long term relationships. Online dating has become a major segment of online paid web content (about $500,000 annually).

Some of the hazards of an online dating service is that some attract MLM’rs looking for new ‘business’, some may attract prostitutes looking for easy marks, and complaints have been heard about fake profiles that turn into nothing more than ads for various services. Unfortunately, online predators can also find online dating sites attractive, as it provides them with ready access to new people all the time, since often those who sign up for online dating services have a false sense of security. From time to time, scams are reported having happened as a result of meeting someone through an online dating site.

So, how can you protect yourself? First and foremost – keep your guard up! Sharing personal information should be done judiciously, especially financial information, information about your job and initially even information about where you live and where your family members live.

So, what are some of the things you should be cautious of when you’re signed up with an online dating service? Here are some key things:

A) Don’t allow the person to push the relationship you too quickly. Try to stay initially in moderated forums and chat rooms, and the online dating services anonymous emails.

B) Don’t fall for the use of pet names, unusual remarks such as ‘fate brought us together’, etc.

C) Don’t be too quick to disclose information about your financial status – if the person you’ve met through an online dating service harps on money, then you might want to consider moving onto another prospect

D) Watch out for inconsistencies. If you’ve met someone through an online dating service and you’ve been discussing your jobs, interests, age, etc., and things start looking like they’re not ‘adding up’ don’t hesitate to question it. For instance if you meet someone through an online dating service that says they’re 50 and then they accidentally let the year they graduated high school slip and your math means they’re really 60, question it. If you don’t like the answer run, don’t walk!

E) If the person you have met through an online dating service seems to be pressuring you to get your phone number, address, information about your job or you family, or even just trying to force a face to face meeting sooner than you feel comfortable, then consider backing off

F) Watch out for someone who is consistently negative – about their job, their family, etc.

G) If you have been communicating with someone online for a fair amount of time and you feel it’s time for phone communication and the person you’ve met through an online dating service isn’t willing to give you a phone number, there might be a spouse or other significant person in their lives. Check carefully!

H) Does the person you’ve met through an online dating service spend most of their time talking about themselves? If so, then chances are that you’re going to want to move on!

I) Don’t fall into discussions about your health, or financial stability with someone. Someone who is pushing hard to learn this information might be someone who is hoping to hook up with someone in bad health who is financially stable through the online dating service

J) A warning bell should go off in your head if someone starts talking about things that are too personal shortly after you start communications on an online dating website. You want to get to know someone before you start talking about sex or other really personal things.

While most people who are registered with online dating services, they are still a recent enough development that they are fertile ground for those with less than scrupulous intentions. While you should enjoy your online dating experience, exercising some caution is wise.