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The at-your-fingertips availability for almost
anything afforded by computers, even “meeting” new people, can be both a
blessing and a curse at the same time. With computers fast
becoming a staple business machine in the home and school office,
millions upon millions of people the world over “cross each other’s
path” while surfing the net, every day.
Busy legitimate singles with limited time can
readily meet other singles with similar interests for
friendship,
dating, or commitment purposes while online. By the same token,
insincere people, both male and female, easily prey on others who allow
naivety to overrule common sense.
Online dating can be fun. Mr. or Ms. Right really
can be found online via
web site dating services, chat rooms,
and other sites that help “connect” people one to another. That’s how I
met my husband and best friend of eight years. So my intent is not to
discredit the plausibility of Internet romance. It can be found!
I did find him at www.21onlinedating.com
I would, however like to offer sound advice on ways
to keep you safe from the fraudulent few who surf the net looking for
whom they can devour!
First and foremost, protect yourself by guarding
personal information: your telephone number, address, the city in which
you live, whether or not you live alone, where you work, where you bank,
your income, etc.
As in the real world, be prudent about who
you trust with private information. Common sense screams that
protecting your privacy in the virtual world of the net is even more
important, since you have no way of knowing who the person on the other
end really is.
When you seek online dating from an Internet web
site source, follow the guidelines about which type of things not to
share with others about yourself while at that site. These sites have
such guidelines for your safety.
In particular, things such as your name, telephone
number, address, and where you work should be offered only to those
individuals you are sure you can trust. Make that person earn your
trust over a period of time. But even then, exercise caution and good
judgment.
Stop communications with anyone who pressures you
for personal information, tries to trick information out of you, or who
mocks or makes fun of you for being so cautious.
They are only attempting to manipulate you into
disclosing the information they want. Reputable contacts will understand
and appreciate your caution – especially if you are female dealing with
a male.
Share with other family members and friends those
Internet contacts you are involved in for extended friendship or for
future dating or relationship purposes. Also let the person with whom
you are corresponding know that your friends and family are aware of
them. Not only will this help weed out the “insinceres,” but it could
help insure your safety, as well.
Be responsible about romance; don’t fall in love at
the click of the mouse or the drop of a few flattering phrases. True
intimacy and romance develop over time. Avoid the slick romantic types
who whisk you away to a private chat room after just “meeting” you, to
try and involve you in sexy suggestive exchanges. You can be sure you
are but one of many “loves” picked for a quick, cheap thrill and that
nothing long term serious will ever develop. Drop the rat before they
have a chance to rattle your cage.
Be suspicious of photos offered by someone you just
met, especially if they make the sender look like he or she just stepped
out of a GQ or Cosmopolitan magazine, or if they are sitting behind the
wheel of a brand new fireball red Lamborghini. If you fall in love,
make sure it’s with that person – not a pretty face that might not
belong to them, or the non existent bank account they’re always bragging
about.
For all you know, in real life “Tom” is twice your
age, has a rash on his beer gut, and was gumming his way through a bag
of bargain-brand cheese puffs when he sent you the photo! Be smart;
don’t let cupid’s arrow pierce your brain instead of your heart.
If you are a female, when you do get to the point
of sharing phone numbers, request that he share his first, and you call
him. Be sure and use local telephone blocking techniques to prevent
your telephone number from showing up on Caller ID when you make your
call.
You can learn a lot about a person by the tone of
their voice and voice inflections while talking. How are their
communication and social skills? How readily do they respond to
questions you ask on the spot: did they answer quickly and casually, or
hem and haw, and stutter? Do they seem overly nervous?
Do they repeatedly try and switch the conversation
back to you whenever you ask questions about them? Do they only want to
provide you with their cellular number and not their home telephone
number (which could suggest they are either married or already
involved in a relationship)?
Pay close attention to any possible “red flags”
that might signal your budding relationship is with a bozo, or worse.
More than one nightmare stalking situation has resulted from “quickie”
online romances.
Was provided by
www.21onlinedating.com |
