 |
|
Safety Tips |
|
No matter how, who, or where you date, there are risks. Following a few basic safety principles can keep a potentially wonderful experience from going bad.
|
 Guard Your Privacy
Do not include identifying information in your profile or e-mail signature.
|
Request a Photo
A photograph can help you form a real impression of the person - especially one that shows them doing something with a group - either at work, or at play.
|
Do the Math
Keep track of details - and if they don't add up, subtract yourself from the equation.
|
On the Phone
Do not give your personal (or work) phone number out - use a payphone or cell phone until you are comfortable.
|
Going Offline
Always make the first meeting in the public place - preferably with a friend nearby. Make sure someone knows where you are, and who you are with.
|
|
|
|
Using a Dating Service.
Online dating services have become very popular. Online Dating Services match you up according to age, social status, likes, dislikes, geographic location, religious preferences, sexual orientation, etc.
There are advantages to online dating services - especially for those who are shy, who are restricted geographically or timewise, and those who would like to "screen" potential matches before wasting time dating unsuitables.
|
Choosing a Dating Service.
There are several, so you will need to ask questions about each one and see which one meets your needs.
Initial sign-up fees range from free to $200.00 with monthly fees from free to $24.95. Make sure you understand if there are fees involved before you click "I Agree."
When choosing a service, don't be lured in by celebrity endorsements or "come-ons". Remember that you will need to use your common sense and gut feeling when you check the services out.
Some services do complete background checks and have more stringent requirements than others.
|
Choosing a Potental Match
- Take it slow - don't look for someone that likes you, look for someone you like.
- Trust your "gut feelings". If something doesn't feel right, move on.
- Limit contact to your dating services' resources (their chat/IM/e-mail etc) until you are sure that you are ready to move to more personal contact (private e-mail/phone etc).
- Do not respond to pressure of any kind.
- Avoid false intimacy - if a real, lasting, relationship is what you want, behave in a manner consistent with your goal.
|
|
|
