Online dating has become one of the most popular ways to meet new people. Online dating, like anything else, has its positive and negative points. So how can you make it a success for yourself? This article outlines 5 do’s and don’ts that will help you navigate online dating a little more smoothly.
Do: Fill out the dating profile
It’s important to answer the questions in a dating profile. This is the first chance people get to learn a bit about you. You don’t have to tell your whole life story, but you do want to give at least a couple important facts. In the about me section mention you want to mention whether you work or go to school, what you enjoy doing in your free time, and mention something a bit unique that sets you apart from other people. Do you volunteer at a soup kitchen twice a month? Do you belong to a book club that only reads the classics? Mention it! It might seem like a little thing to you, but to someone reading your profile it will help you stand out from the others.
Don’t: Talk about your hopes and dreams for a relationship
It’s perfectly fine to mention whether you’re looking for a casual relationship or something more long-term. You want to meet someone who wants the same thing. If you start talking about how you’re going to spend your first Christmas together, what kind of wedding you’ve been dreaming of, or how many kids you want to have, you’re going to scare potential dates off. Leave those conversations for later when you’ve become more serious.
Do: Add recent photos
You might prefer that photo of you taken three years ago in the park that made you feel like a bombshell, but it’s important to use a more recent photo. People change over time even though you might argue you still look very much like that old photo. Your hair colour, length, and style have probably changed. You may have dropped or put on a few pounds. Even your personal style may have changed. If you post a photo and meet someone in person, you know they are going to be expecting the person in the photo. Think about how you would feel if the person you meet had up a two year old photo where he had a little more hair and a little less belly. It doesn’t make people superficial to want to know who they are meeting.
Don’t: Wait too long to meet
Online dating sites can be a great place to meet new people, but you probably don’t want the relationship to stay online for months on end. It’s important to take your new relationship from online to in person. Once you’ve exchanged emails and texts you can move to the next step, which is talking on the phone. If you still feel the connection and want to meet, make a date! If you live far away and can’t just drive to meet each other, at least Skype until you can.
Do: Trust your gut
If you get a funny feeling about someone because of something the he’s said or through doing a background check you’ve found something that doesn’t add up, trust that feeling. You can certainly ask questions about it, but if you still feel like something is off, it’s time to back away and meet new people. You don’t want to spend the beginning of a new relationship sorting out lies and facts and constantly wondering if the next thing out of his mouth is an untruth. Always trust your gut feeling.
Online dating won’t always be a smooth ride. You’ll make mistakes and know better for next time.
