| Online dating is a great avenue for single individuals to | | | | As much as possible use a nickname or only your |
| meet other single people who are looking for dates | | | | first name and avoid including your last name, your |
| and mates. With the plethora of choices you have on | | | | address, home number, work address and other |
| online dating sites, you are likely to find people to | | | | important details. While many online dating sites have |
| whom you share the same interests with and to | | | | a double blind system for identity protection, it is |
| whom you can easily connect. However, the internet | | | | best not to declare any identifying information. |
| is also a venue where people can deceive other | | | | If preferable, ask for a photo to at least give you an |
| people as you practically will not have any idea to | | | | idea of the person you are corresponding with. But |
| practically who the person is you are maintaining | | | | don't always believe everything you see for the |
| correspondence with. It is best that you take the | | | | pictures may not be actually how they look like or |
| necessary precautionary measures when you decide | | | | have been taken several years ago. |
| to venture into the world of online dating. | | | | If you and your online dating pal decide to talk to |
| Even if you have been exchanging emails or chatting | | | | each other on the phone, ask for his or her number. |
| frequently online, it is advised to take things slow | | | | Try to ask you local phone company for methods |
| first for you don't know the person yet that well. | | | | where your number cannot be viewed through caller |
| While your email correspondence and chat | | | | identification. If you decide to give out your number, |
| conversations can reveal a lot of things about the | | | | avoid giving out your home number and instead give |
| person on the other end of the line, you are not | | | | out your cellphone number until you know him that |
| assured if he or she is really how you perceive him or | | | | well enough to provide a phone number at home. |
| her to be. | | | | You and your online dating pal may feel a connection |
| When you join an online dating website always read | | | | after all the emails, chats and phone conversations |
| the site's privacy policy before you fill up any profile | | | | and you think that it is time to meet each other face |
| forms. While you may be honest about the | | | | to face. Always meet in public places where there |
| information you will be providing, bear in mind that | | | | are a lot of people. Inform a friend of who you are |
| there are many people out there who will somehow | | | | going with and where you will be going. Give that |
| stretch the truth or totally lie about it. Many online | | | | friend the name and phone number of the person |
| dating sites though are developing ways of ensuring | | | | you will be meeting. Avoid letting your date pick you |
| that all their members are honest about their profiles | | | | up at home as well as driving you home after. |
| and are exactly as they claim them to be. But with | | | | Online dating shouldn't scare anybody for there are |
| the many online dating sites available, it is wise to still | | | | really honest, single individuals out there who are |
| stay cautious, be suspicious and to always use your | | | | sincere about their intentions. |
| common sense. | | | | |