Online Dating- the Do’s and Don’ts
Dating in real life can be difficult. How do you just approach a good-looking man on the street, introduce yourself and let him know you’re interested? It’s just too difficult! How do you know if they’re straight, if they’re single, if they’re interested in you? The whole idea of it can be very stressful.
This is where the world of online dating steps in. Everyone feels that bit more confident online, able to say what they like, with the option to delete, forget and never speak to someone again if any awkwardness does arise. However, as with all social media platforms, the world of online dating can sometimes be dangerous if not used properly. Here are some vital do’s and don’ts of online dating.
Do be honest about your personal details e.g. your name and age. If you’re not, and a relationship does come to life, it will only be awkward and potentially ruin that relationship when you eventually have to come clean.
Don’t be too honest though- you don’t need to post details about where you live, where you work or about your family on your profile. Remember, your safety is the most important thing.
Do upload a real photo of yourself. Again, how awkward if a relationship does take off and your face is completely different? Just be honest about who you are!
Don’t online date anywhere other than your personal computer/laptop/phone. Using a public computer at work or in a library heightens risks that someone could meddle in your personal affairs, steal data about yourself or read things sent to you in confidence by potential partners…it all just get’s very messy, don’t do it.
Do make sure you meet up with any one you speak to online in a very public place, such as at a restaurant or along a fairly busy high street, with plenty of people around. Until you meet them for real, this person is still a stranger, so make sure that you’re safe.
Don’t try dating someone who lives miles and miles away. It’s hard enough starting an online relationship when you don’t know who they definitely are until you meet them face to face-, it’s even more difficult when you can’t meet that person at all because they live on the other side of the world.
Do make sure your profile is precise. Nobody wants to read paragraphs and paragraphs about why you love Harry Potter so much. Keep it short, sweet and to the point.
Don’t date more than one person at once. It can become tricky remembering which person liked Thai food, whilst the other was allergic to nuts and someone else just adored prawns- oh who was who? Keeping track can be very hard, so whilst it’s okay to speak to a few people to begin with, try to select one fairly quickly and stick with them!
Do try to find someone whose interests are very similar to yours. Yeah so there might be a hot guy who’s into surfing whilst you have a fear of the sea, but he’s hot. Wrong. You can’t pretend to love surfing forever. Find someone who you will genuinely get along with- a relationship is more likely to blossom and last this way.
Don’t be too upset about rejection…it happens to everyone, in the real world and the virtual one. Not everyone likes everyone- it’s sad but true. Just keep putting yourself out there until you find “the one”!
Written By: Florence Grace
Edited By: Paige Russell T/ @BABYFACEDPAIGE
