The Rules of Internet Dating
By Urban Milan
If you are SINGLE then you should be used to the fact that after you hit a certain age-- like 13 -- you get harassed daily about getting married. The ideal thing to do is to not attend any family events and let your parents know that you have decided to switch teams (that will definitely keep them off your back). Unfortunately although that idea sounds perfect it may leak to others that you may be interested in.
One solution to finding a potential love interest is to try out Internet dating. There are many sites out there that will let you find matches based on your preferences like Match.com and Tinder. Back in the day it was taboo to try the Internet dating scene- it was a sign of desperation-- that is no longer the case. If you dare to explore the option of Internet dating -- you should be careful about WHO you meet and HOW you meet. These rules apply to both men and women.
1. Never give out personal information when you meet someone online. This includes address, last name, social security number or any other information that you deem personal. This may sound like common sense however there have been cases where potential dream dates have stolen identities!
2. If you decide to talk to someone off the Internet it’s best to take their phone number and give them a call first and block your phone number using *67. After you have spoken with them first and you feel comfortable you can always give him/her your phone number. This is especially important when using your home phone number-- your "Internet date" can find your address based on your number and show up at your doorstep.
3. If the person you have met online does not have a picture, you may want to ask them to send you a couple of pictures via email and ask why they are not sharing their picture online. Be sure that the person is not posing as someone else by obtaining a few pictures. The person may claim they have an important job, etc and that is why they cannot have a picture online - however that important job could be a spouse!
4. Do NOT give out your home phone number or last name before meeting in-person, your home address can easily be found off the Internet by using this information. As stated in Rule #2, be careful about your phone number and your last name. Even though we live in the age of Facebook and Instagram, you should still try to keep some anonymity.
5. If the relationship progresses and you decide to meet someone off the Internet make sure to meet them in a public place. A good meeting place is a restaurant, bar or a shopping mall. Do NOT meet the person at their apartment or invite them to your place.
6. Do not let your date walk you to your car unless you feel that they are not a nutcase. If your date is a stalker they can either follow you, or note down your license plate number.
7. Do NOT get into your date’s car for any reason; if you are going to another place follow them in your car. You should always be aware that appearances can be deceiving.
8. If you are uncomfortable for any reason just end the date. Do not let anyone convince you to stay out against your will.
9. Do not be pushed to give out any information that you do not want to give out. For instance after meeting the person for the first time if you do not feel comfortable giving out your last name, you do not have to.
10. If you are meeting someone off the Internet in a public place you should let a friend or relative know that you are going to meet someone. Just because the person seems “normal” on the phone does not mean that they are “normal” in person.
11. If you are meeting someone in a location that is in between the both of you, for example the guy is from California and you live in New York and you are planning on meeting somewhere in between, do not decide to share a hotel room with this person. Remember that even if you have been talking to this person for a long period of time, this is the first time you are meeting them.
12. If someone is flying down to see you, you are not required to pay for their hotel bill or their flight. If they send you a bill after your meeting, you are not required to pay unless you both agree to split costs beforehand.
13. If you are NOT interested in the person that you have met off the Internet, let the individual know, do not lead them on.
One solution to finding a potential love interest is to try out Internet dating. There are many sites out there that will let you find matches based on your preferences like Match.com and Tinder. Back in the day it was taboo to try the Internet dating scene- it was a sign of desperation-- that is no longer the case. If you dare to explore the option of Internet dating -- you should be careful about WHO you meet and HOW you meet. These rules apply to both men and women.
1. Never give out personal information when you meet someone online. This includes address, last name, social security number or any other information that you deem personal. This may sound like common sense however there have been cases where potential dream dates have stolen identities!
2. If you decide to talk to someone off the Internet it’s best to take their phone number and give them a call first and block your phone number using *67. After you have spoken with them first and you feel comfortable you can always give him/her your phone number. This is especially important when using your home phone number-- your "Internet date" can find your address based on your number and show up at your doorstep.
3. If the person you have met online does not have a picture, you may want to ask them to send you a couple of pictures via email and ask why they are not sharing their picture online. Be sure that the person is not posing as someone else by obtaining a few pictures. The person may claim they have an important job, etc and that is why they cannot have a picture online - however that important job could be a spouse!
4. Do NOT give out your home phone number or last name before meeting in-person, your home address can easily be found off the Internet by using this information. As stated in Rule #2, be careful about your phone number and your last name. Even though we live in the age of Facebook and Instagram, you should still try to keep some anonymity.
5. If the relationship progresses and you decide to meet someone off the Internet make sure to meet them in a public place. A good meeting place is a restaurant, bar or a shopping mall. Do NOT meet the person at their apartment or invite them to your place.
6. Do not let your date walk you to your car unless you feel that they are not a nutcase. If your date is a stalker they can either follow you, or note down your license plate number.
7. Do NOT get into your date’s car for any reason; if you are going to another place follow them in your car. You should always be aware that appearances can be deceiving.
8. If you are uncomfortable for any reason just end the date. Do not let anyone convince you to stay out against your will.
9. Do not be pushed to give out any information that you do not want to give out. For instance after meeting the person for the first time if you do not feel comfortable giving out your last name, you do not have to.
10. If you are meeting someone off the Internet in a public place you should let a friend or relative know that you are going to meet someone. Just because the person seems “normal” on the phone does not mean that they are “normal” in person.
11. If you are meeting someone in a location that is in between the both of you, for example the guy is from California and you live in New York and you are planning on meeting somewhere in between, do not decide to share a hotel room with this person. Remember that even if you have been talking to this person for a long period of time, this is the first time you are meeting them.
12. If someone is flying down to see you, you are not required to pay for their hotel bill or their flight. If they send you a bill after your meeting, you are not required to pay unless you both agree to split costs beforehand.
13. If you are NOT interested in the person that you have met off the Internet, let the individual know, do not lead them on.