Online dating is a dating system which allows individuals, to make contact and communicate with each other over the Internet, usually with the objective of developing a personal, romantic, or sexual relationship. Before you jump into the world of Online Dating, there are some rules to remember when you are looking for your potential matches. Some of you needs to know the pitiful that can hurt your shot at making a real connection.
Unless you work in a totally male milieu, your quest to meet a man will take you to the Internet. We do not yet have hard data on how many Haitienne that are surfing the Online Dating Cyber world. The good news is that you’ll find thousands and thousands of guys online, all trolling for dates. On the other hand, be prepared to spend hours and hours learning how to sort the diamond in the roft. So after the jump, we have some dos and don’ts to remember when finding a potential online dating match
DO post a recent photo, and write an honest description of yourself. Men will be relieved and delighted that we simply looked like our pictures.
DON’T naively assume that his photo is as up-to-date and accurate as yours.
DO learn the lingo of dating profiles. For instance:
•He describes himself as “cuddly.”
Translation: chubby.
•He writes, “I’ve been told I’m very handsome.”
Translation: by his mother.
•He’s “Executive Vice-President of Strategic Planning for a Major Corporation.”
Translation: he’s self-employed in some cockamamie business, headquartered in his basement.
DON’T get taken in by corny, overused come-on lines like, “Looking to spoil the lady of my dreams with flowers and candlelit dinners.” And beware of perfect strangers who promise to “snuggle with you in front of the fireplace” and “enjoy sunset strolls on the beach.” These guys have one thing on their minds. That’s why they took a course on What Women Want to Hear 101.
DO brush up on your math if he sounds too good to be true:
•Subtract three inches from his height.
•Double his weight.
•Halve his income.
•Add a decade to his age.
DON’T choose your dates based on photos. It’s all too easy to scroll through Internet profiles, selecting the Will Smith look-alikes and bypassing the rest. Remember, real men lose their hair and grow love handles, yet if you met them in person, you just might find them charming. Besides, if you’re anything like us, you probably don’t look that much like his wife.
DO move the conversation along from email to cell phone. Some people are great writers – or even have a friend ghost-writing for them. In a phone chat, you’ll get a better sense of whether your personalities click. Plus you’ll find out if he even has a personality. Note: it’s a bad sign if, during his monologue about his favorite sport, you’re checking your watch and praying that you lose your cell-phone signal.
DON’T disclose where you live or for that matter, any personal information that could lead to your address, such as your home phone number, last name, or an email address that includes your last name. While most men on the Internet are just as normal as you are, you don’t want some lunatic ringing your doorbell, even if he’s carrying a box of Godiva chocolates.
DO take things slowly, though the chemistry may be magnetic. Arrange to meet him in a public place for the first couple of dates. When you know more about him, he can pick you up and drop you off at home, but don’t invite him in just yet even if he pleads that he urgently has to use your bathroom.
DON’T behave like a kid in a candy store full of online temptations. If you’ve met a nice, sincere guy, and you’re having a good time dating him, don’t fly to your computer the second you get home to flirt with a dozen new seductive suitors. On the Internet, it’s easy to get distracted by the smorgasbord of smooth-talking guys only to lose sight of the one who just might be Mr. Right.
DO keep it short. Think of an email as an appetizer. Don’t ruin his appetite by feeding him entree-sized portions before the main course. Keep him hungry for more.
DON’T double-email. One email for each email received, OK? Writing two or more emails before you’ve gotten a reply to the first not only makes you look a little obsessed, it also makes it seem like you don’t have anything better to do with your time.
DO ask at least one question in each email. Some people have a hard time figuring out what to write in an email, so make it easy by giving at least one question he can respond to. Unless he’s got the personality of corduroy, he should be able to carry the conversation for at least a paragraph from there.
DON’T rant. A quick, funny line about people in your building taking the elevator for just one floor is one thing; composing a five-paragraph essay on the growing laziness and general self-absorption of people today is just obnoxious.
DO wait at least half a day to reply. Not only do you risk looking like you’ve got nothing else going on besides waiting by your computer for an email from him, replying too soon can make him feel a little stressed over keeping up with your pace.
DON’T confess all. This isn’t therapy save your secrets, insecurities, and stifled anger at your mother for your best friend or shrink. If you want to confess something, confess that you skipped your weekend workout to hit a fringe theater fest in your neighborhood instead. At least that gives him an idea about your hobbies and interests.
DO be cautious sharing personal info, including your last name, off-site email address, and, of course, home address. This should go without saying, I hope.
DON’T give details about where you work. It compromises your job and your personal security.
