Online Dating: 10 Rules Everyone Should Know

Online dating is an exciting frontier, full of possibilities around every corner, but before you start returning those enticing emails, there are 10 rules you need to adhere to.

Your love life may be stagnant for various reasons. A relationship that recently ended could leave you stranded with a condensed social circle and feelings of loneliness. You may have experienced a recent change, such as a divorce, graduating from college, or moving to a new city. No matter what the circumstance, it is difficult to meet new people. Enter the world of online dating, full of variety, flavor and excitement. If you are new to the online dating scene, there are several things that everyone should know.

1. Plan ahead

Are you looking to spend some entertaining time in the chat rooms? Looking for someone to hang out with on the weekends? Looking for a one night stand? Trying to find Mr. or Mrs. Right? Determine your goals for online dating and stick to them; Otherwise, you could hurt each other’s feelings or end up picking apart the pieces of another failed relationship.

2. Ask your friends

Online dating and chat rooms are standard tools for people from all walks of life looking for love or a little fun. Ask your friends which sites have worked for them in the past. Trust the opinions of those you already know instead of choosing a service at random.

3. Slow start

You may need to spend some time in chat rooms, email correspondence, or even on the phone before you feel comfortable enough to get to know someone. Take your time, there is no rush! Enjoy the process and embrace the emotion.

4. Tell the truth!

If you really want to experience success with online dating, you have to be honest. While you can’t control the actions of others, keeping yourself accountable will thwart the temptation to attach someone else’s photo to your profile or lie about your past.

5. Organize and prioritize

Online dating can be overwhelming. It’s much easier to look up profiles of people you know are looking for a relationship than it is to strike up a conversation with someone at the bar. Pick a few of the most interesting profiles, take notes, and just communicate with them at first. You can always rewatch if they don’t work, and this will prevent too much activity and confusing emotions.

6. Do not believe everything you see or read

If he or she sounds too good to be true, you may very well be looking at a bad egg. Take your time getting to know someone. Check his story. If you have reached the point where personal information has been disclosed, there are ways to verify the details. If a person claims that she works at the local community college, you can check the phone book for her name. The public record is a valuable resource!

7. Chat room etiquette

That old adage “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” still applies to online dating. Chat rooms often give people a feeling of invincibility. When fingers start flying, things tend to move fast and have the potential to get steamy. Stop. To think. If you wouldn’t tell a complete stranger face-to-face, don’t say it at all.

8. Paying for an online dating service might not be such a bad thing

Websites that charge to enter chat rooms or create an online dating profile may turn you off at first glance. You may feel embarrassed or afraid to shell out your hard-earned money on a dating website; however, you can be sure that if someone is willing to make the investment it costs to participate in online dating circles, they may be dead serious and willing to go the extra mile for you!

9. Be available

Don’t have Internet access every day? This could cause problems in the world of online dating. Those who try this method of socializing like to think they will get quick answers. Be available, consider setting aside specific time to spend in the chat room, and respond to emails in a timely manner. Otherwise, your prospects may lose interest.

10. Safety first, second and third

When you’ve built up your trust and someone discovers you want to meet face-to-face, remember that you don’t know what to expect. Meet in a public place. Drive your own car so you can stay in control of your surroundings and walk away if you feel uncomfortable. Even if the first date leads to a second or third, keep in mind that you just met and there’s no need to rush.