Dating Guide: Starting Online Dating And Growing The Relationship
It is fun to meet people with an online dating service but do not forget throw common sense out the window when it comes to safety. Take caution in the following area I mention below.
Protect Your Computer
Take care of your equipment and systems before you head out into the Internet realm. You need to have a firewall and anti-virus protection for your email and for when you search websites and interact online. At the bare minimum, you may want these two solutions that are offered at no charge to home computer users (i.e. not for commercial use): a free firewall from ZoneAlarm and a free anti-virus program from AVG anti-virus.
Personal Safety
You need to take care that you choose safe dating sites. I recommend you use the ones you see advertised on TV. The reason is that if the company is making enough money to spend millions advertising on TV, they must be doing something right. Also, these companies vet both advertisers and users who seek only financial gain from using their dating service. You can also ask your friends what online dating service they used to find their spouses.
So take care. Arm your computer ” and yourself- with the correct tools and knowledge!
With safety covered, I will now talk about how to build an online relationship. Online relationships need tending to if you want them to grow just like relationships offline.
1. Make time. Does your online date try to contact you on a regular basis? You need to do the same. Ignoring emails and chats is abusive. You need to treat each other with respect. If you see that respect is not there, you need to end the relationship.
2. Trust takes time. Trust takes time to develop. The speed at which a person can trust depends on their past experiences. Neither of you should be too pushy about when you will meet in person. It is better not to rush the first meeting. Enjoy the time it takes to learn more about each other and work on developing trust first.
3. Respect each others right to privacy. Do not share photos or emails with your other friends, especially if it was sent to you in confidence.
4. Share special online and offline fun times. Online – send greeting cards, links to favorite places to upload digital photos of your favorite pet, download music and video clips, post on favorite forums of interest. Offline – if you are exchanging addresses or post office boxes, send print greeting cards and postcards, and small items from your area (like a key chain with your state bird).
Tend to your online relationship like a seed. Put it in good soil, water it with care, and over time it may sprout and grow into a beautiful tree.
