Some Basic Online Dating Etiquette Guidelines
Online dating has a different set of rules and social manners than “regular” or “offilne” dating. Conducting yourself properly while communicating online will earn you good friends and maybe even the love of your life. But what is proper online dating etiquette?
Honesty is important. Answer the questions asked by the site administrator as truthfully as possible when setting up your profile. Never make up things about yourself. What if you met a person online that lead into a relationship? As the saying goes: “the truth will out”. They will surely learn about the things you’ve made up sooner or later.
Online dating allows you to connect with other people by sending email messages. The problem is when nobody responds to those emails the sender can be left feeling badly. Don’t put all your eggs on one basket, and don’t stake all your hopes on one person. Is it okay to send messages to several people at once? Absolutely, it is okay. According to surveys, a user may get one response for every three to five messages sent.
It is polite to reply to messages sent to you, but how do you respond to a message from somebody you are not interested in? For some people not responding is rude, but actually it is a better way than outright telling people you do not like them. Just keep in mind that you should not take it personally if you do not receive a reply, either.
When sending replies, make sure that they are personalized and not a standard letter you send to everybody. Respond honestly & appropriately. After all, you are dealing with people who have feelings. Avoid writing long involved responses especially at first. Keep your replies light, casual, and not too long.
Avoid asking personal questions like employment or personal address, especially if it is just the first time you have talked online. You should be sharing information that will help you find out if you are compatible. If someone persists on asking you this information you should just say that you do not share personal info with people you do not know. Since this is highly suspicious behavior you should use your judgement to decide if you want to continue to contact this person.
The progression of events is usually emails first, then phone calls, then if the phone calls go OK the next step would be a casual meeting in person. It may be safer to use a cell phone for the phone calls because a cell phone number does not reveal your name and address.
Don’t be pushy. Relax and let things take their course. Give your friendship enough time to develop. You do not have to force somebody to meet you. A good way to “test the waters” about a face-to-face meeting is to mention some of the places in your area that you like to go.
When meeting face to face, for the first time, follow common sense safety and security rules. For example, meet in a public crowded place. To protect privacy, it is better to get to the meeting place on your own rather than picking up and dropping off your date.
After meeting face-to-face, send or say thank you even if there are no sparks during the date.
If you and your date feel that there seems to be no spark in the date, then it is okay to gradually stop communicating or fade away. But if one party contacts the other, always acknowledge the person and explain you had a nice time but you just don’t think your were a match. Always say thank you.
If you are dating somebody you’ve met online and you have agreed to be exclusive, then take your profile down. Online dating sites allow you to change your status or hide your profile without canceling your membership. Also, avoid corresponding with other people.
Breaking up is another issue. Online dating experts recommend that for those people who have only met the person once or twice, you could break up the relationship or dating through email. But if you have been going out on dates more than that, then you really have to break the news face-to-face.
