Finding True Love and Staying Safe with Online Dating
By Pam Baldwin
It can be very complicated to find that true love everyone
is looking for, and even more in today's hectic society.
Meeting people the old fashioned ways such as going to bars
seem to take lots of our time and can be often
disappointing. However nowadays the internet can be a very
handy tool in meeting that special someone. Now I am going
to give you some tips on how to be safe while trying to meet
that special person.
Websites such as Date com and PerfectMatch help you in your
quest for love, but it can be scary to talk to a person
you've never me before! So, here's how to stay safe in the
online dating scene. After all, you probably don't want to
go on a blind date, so why date a stranger who you know
nothing about? Here are some tips to help you out.
Always use a real website that at least has some reputation
like Date com or PerfectMatch which are ideal to start your
quest for true love.
It is important to buy a webcam. There are some with very
accesible prices you can find for less than 30 dollars. With
a webcam you can use several messaging programs to actually
see the person you are having a conversation with.
It is also smart to buy a microphone. A microphone will save
you from all those bills from long distance calls since we
never know where the person we will meet will be from.
Don't give out your address or home phone number to a
stranger.
Never meet anyone for the first time in a private place as
it can lead to lots of nasty surprises. Always pick a public
place and try to bring a friend along with you.
It is also polite (not to mention smart) to really pay
attention to what the other person says. Check carefully for
contradictions in what they tell you: that is a sure way to
spot any online scammers or people with bad intentions.
Try to not be too defensive or paranoid. I assure you even
though some people have bad intentions, lots are good ones
looking for the same as you.
To have fun while dating safety is crucial. You will be best
off if you pick safe surroundings in which you can relax and
concentrate in knowing the person you are dating better.
Online and in real life you really don't know this person.
So being as relaxed and comfortable as you can will help you
know them better. Never dismiss your inner voice. If
something feels wrong it probably is.
One of the biggest worries people have with online dating is
whether the other person is sincere. Is that wonderful
person as great as they pose to be? Are they being really
honest with you? Experience has shown me that some people
lie, some out of insecurity, some so they look better. It is
not easy to know who lies and who is honest. And this is
where I find the webcam and the microphone pretty useful
since with a little attention and experience you can usually
notice when people lie, from their face and voice.
A crucial safety measure is to never give up personal info
that can get them to reach you directly such as a phone
number or your address. You should really pay attention to
this as you can endanger yourself by ignoring this. If you
feel like giving out a phone number use your cellphone
first, as they cannot track you or your home address as
easily with this phone number. If you want them to send
anything then use a PO Box. This little precaution can go a
long way in helping you be safe.
Also very important is to always meet in public places. If
you think you finally found the person you want to start
going out with and cannot wait to meet them for the first
time, you can go ahead. But having that first meeting in a
public place is always the best thing to do to protect your
personal safety. It is much easier to avoid a bad experience
while surrounded by people. If they are OK with it, you
bringing a friend is also a good thing. Try suggesting a
place where you can have a good excuse to bring a friend,
such as bowling.
Do not overdo things and act too paranoid or distrustful. No
one appreciates if their date warns them that they already
did a complete background check on them. Have fun and
realize not everyone is out there to try and hurt you.
Chances are the other person wants true love as much as you
and is also taking their chances exactly as much as you
are.
As you have seen staying safe can be pretty easy if use
common sense and plan ahead. A few precautions like these,
and you are ready to enjoy a great date with that new person
in your life. A few things like meeting in a public place,
paying attention, following your instincts, and not giving
out personal information can make the difference between a
potential disaster and a great date with that person that
(hopefully) is just the right one for you. Enjoying your
dates and having fun is crucial too: having fun is an
important part of the process!
To get more info on
Match and other
great online dating services, be sure to check out this
great site about web
dating (TopTenDatingServices.com). You will be glad you
did.
Copyright 2008 Mirroreyes Internet Services Corporation.
20080524