OnLine Dating and How to Stay Safe

Cyberspace is now the new hangout when it comes to finding romance or just hooking up . As a result, many individuals have begun relationships online with people they have not met and know little about.

As the web expands into human relationships and dating, it is in your best interest to exercise caution. Common sense can go a long way to keep you safe. Follow these rules and you are off to a good start:

All that glitters is not necessarily gold.
Start slow by using email or chat channels. Watch out for weird behavior or inconsistent pattern as you communicate online. If someone is evasive, this is a red flag. Although online, try to 'listen' to his or her words. The individual at the other end may not be who or what he/she says. Trust your gut feel. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your own safety and protection.

Do the CIA check and get as much info as you can.
Learn to ask many questions. Do a check list on your side to get basic info on stuff like where he works or where he grew up. These are clues to finding out who this person really is. If you notice uncertainty in giving personal info, then that is a red flag. Try to look for discrepancies as they tell you their life story. If your correspondent is unwilling to answer your questions, this is another red flag. At all times err on the side of safety.

It is best to be honest from the get go.
Represent yourself accurately. Exaggerating or misleading is easy on the web. Be truthful about the basic things such as marital status and how you look. You can start by exchanging pics. If someone is unwilling to send a recent picture, this is warning sign. If he or she continuously comes up with an excuse, it is because that person has something to hide. Having a scanned photo is easily available, so there is no valid excuse for not doing it. After you have exchanged pictures, continue to fill in the gaps, so that the other person does not create you in their image. Keep it honest.

Talk on the phone and continue to learn more about your correspondent.
Talking reveals valuable information about a person's character and quirks. It's worth it to call since you can continue to get a more complete profile. Try to be stingy on giving out your phone to anybody you are not comfortable with. Take your time to see if a trusting bond is there. Provide them your phone number only when you gain that feeling of comfort.

Don't rush into anything.
Setting up a date after just meeting anyone online is both stupid and dangerous. You have to follow the investigation process before you do a face to face. If someone is pressuring you to get together before you are ready, this is another warning sign. If anything feels strange as you get to know this person, then it is time to back away and look for another match.

If you make a decision to meet for a date, proceed with caution and arrange the meeting on your terms. The following is a guide to ensure that you have a safe encounter:

1. Make sure a friend or anyone close to you knows where you are going and when you will be back from this first date. Make sure you give them your date's full name and contact numbers just in case. There are also websites these days, like smartdatedotcom, where you can register dating information such as these, for a small fee. If your date wants you to keep it secret, this is a very big red flag. Your safety above all else!
2. Keep the location of the first date in a public place. It must be where there are other folks and preferably well lit. Getting together for coffee is a pleasant, casual way to get to know someone.
3. Very important - Do not let him pick you up where your live. Giving your address out to a stranger is not safe. Arrange your own transportation so that you can leave if there is any sign of trouble.
4. On this first date, reconcile what your date told you online to see if he was honest to begin with. If you find out that your date has lied about anything, this is another red flag.
5. For the same reason you do not want to be picked up at home on the first date, do not let him drop you off. You do not know this person. Use the same kind of common sense and rules that you would use in any type of dating relationship.

Exercise caution. Take control of your future. Always think ahead before you invest your time and emotion on this exercise. As in both your professional and personal life, information is the key!

Article Source: http://casinoarticles.us

Allans works in technology at an investment banking firm. To make some money on the side, he has gotten into IM, setting up a varied collection of sites such as providing info on how to have an affair to other adult dating web sites.

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