Online dating is truly a very new and fundamental change in the way that we are able to look for a partner, friendships or even sexual pleasure. Never ever in human history did we have such strong and efficient matchmaking opportunities. Online dating as we know it, is the fastest and easiest way that we can meet new people whenever and wherever we want in modern society. It is straight-forward, direct and simple. It is not bound to your city borders or local single-café or pup. Gone are the days of blind dateing somebody that you could never lay an eye on. Many of us still remember the bad experiences we have made with blind dates that collegues or family members have sent us on.
Online dating removes lots of these negative unknowns whilst allowing you to meet some phantastic people which you would never have a chance to meet or even contact with in former times, before the internet flash-conquered our planet.
Online dating has become so popular, especially during the past 10 years or so, that almost everybody of the young and middle-age generation within industrialized countries as well as numerous TV shows and news reports deals with the subject of internet dating communities.
After spending some time in front of your PC screen, communicating with a person far away that attract kind of your attention, sounds sympathic and fits into your desired dating profile checklist, you may finally - at one stage want to meet him or her face to face. But remember. Even though you have spent numerous hours or even days communicating with the person of choice, and even after exchanging photos or videos with each other it is important to make it very clear to your mind that YOU STILL DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE WHOM YOU REALLY WILL MEET IN THE END !!! You do not know his or her complete history, and even if he or she sounds pretty sympatic and reliable - you do not know if this behaviour is true or false. You do not and cannot know, if he´s the desired lover you dream of - or simply a fool - or maybe even a madman!
I do not intend to scare you away from online dating, because it really is a fantastic way to meet exactly the match of your desire. And usually, chances that you will get confronted with a madman, marriage swindler, rapist or murderer are near to zero. However it should be in your interest to protect yourself, just in case... Observing the following simple online dating safety rules will help you make your online dating dreams not to end up in a nightmare:
1. The very first rule in safe online dating is to meet in a public place. Do not let him pick you up at home. Never. Besides, you should also not unveal your home or work address before or at this point of time. If possible, try to arrange for some kind of double date or have somebody whom you can trust, a good friend or relative for example, sitting around nearby. You will not only feel more secure, you will be!
2. It is much more safe to use your own vehicle or a taxi and not to depend on the car of your dating partner. This way you will be fully independent, either way your date comes out.
3. If you are a female and you don´t want to feel to be under any obligation, consider paying half of the bill. If you are a male, it is of course a matter of good manners, that you pay for the complete bill. Even, if you have been disappointed and your dating partner is not the kind of girl or woman of your imagination. Some may think this is a little outdated, but really it still is a matter of decency and fair play and it won´t hurt.
4. Stay away from alcohol. Remember that alcohol can affect your judgment about the person in question. Until now, you know the person that you meet from your online dating sessions only. You do not have a single clue or proof what type of character he or she is in real life. Especially for the first dates you should be able to build yourself an uninfluenced opinion. You should be clear minded in order to be able to estimate what kind of person your dating partner really is. If you like and to feel more relaxed and less inhibited, you can have one or two welcome drinks with him, but that´s it. Never ever go for hard drinks. Better take a glass of wine or so. Be insistant on that!
5. Online dating is a great way to meet very interesting people. But always remember that what you see on the screen of your computer can be very different from reality. For example, if your online date has written that he is a very religious person, that does not mean that you can trust him. As in any other flirt or dating relationship it takes time, before you come next to really know each other.
6. If you really like the person that you have met, you may be very lucky. But even now do always stay alert and cautious. Some awkward or even dangerous people are perfect pretenders! You never know what can happen.
7. This brings us to the last, but as I think most important rule for secure online dating. ALWAYS LET SOMEONE ELSE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND WITH WHOM YOU MEET. If possible make the name and address of the person available to your best friend or another person that you can trust. Always let him or her know, where you are going to meet with the person. For the first meeting, do not go elsewhere with the other person. Always take your mobile phone with you. If at some further meeting you go elsewhere, let the person of trust know about and tell him or her exactly where you are going. It is also a good idea, that your friend will call you at pre-set times, in order that he or she asures everything is all right. So, if something bad happens, there is at least someone that knows where to look for you.
Online dating is one of the greatest social developments the internet has enabled. You can make use of it to find your ideal match with an anonymous distance at first, to filter out the ones you don´t like the easy way and finally meet with the ones on your short-list. Most of the people, weather you like them or not, will be decent and harmless. But do not forget, that there are also some idiots out there. And some of them can be dangerous. So have fun, but always remember to be cautious and responsible.
And next time your aunt tries to tie you up with somebody of her church group, tell her that you already have a boyfriend... in France!
About the author:Written by Ispas Marrin for http://www.single-fiesta.com - Ispas is running his own dating site especially for South Africa on http://www.socialcity.co.za - Probably one of the best dating sites for South Africa currently available. --- Publish or download articles or for free on: http://www.GoArticles.com | http://www.Dreamicles.com | http://www.AZ-Articles.com .
