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Online Dating Tips & Advice | |
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Latest Reviews or
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We keep you informed about new and existing online dating
services.
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We
have received too many complaints about the sites
below. We advise that you avoid these..
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ONLINE DATING ETIQUETTE
Things are done a little differently online
than in the real world. If you've been on
the
Internet for any amount of time, you
probably already know this stuff, but just
in case, a quick guide to some of the more
common customs:
ALL CAPS - generally means shouting,
either in anger or joy. Use it very, very
sparingly,
if at all.
Smileys - also known as 'emoticons',
smileys are those weird little punctuation
bits such
as :) and the like. They're used to denote
the emotional context of a statement (If
you can't see why, try tilting your head
to the left). Very useful if you're worried
that your joke.
Acronyms - the net abounds
with acronyms, mostly versions of commonly
used phrases.
LOL, ROFL, IIRC, AFAIK and others help to
save a little time. If you worry that your
net-speak isn't all it
could be, there are several sites that list
these acronyms.
GUARDING YOUR PRIVACY
One thing about online dating that frequently
gets exaggerated in the media is the number
of freaks, weirdos and stalkers to be found
on online dating services. The problem is
that this exaggeration does have a basis
in fact. There are a number of people involved
in online dating that you'd probably prefer
not have immediate access to you or your
details.
So what you need to do is protect your privacy.
Getting an additional email address that's
completely separate to your regular one is
the first place to start.
But you need to do more than that. You want
to ensure that your regular email address
isn't
easily findable. If you're reasonably careful,
that should present no difficulty. But it's
all too easy to fall into the trap of using
the same username on your online dating service
that you've used for your 'blog.
And the
odds are that your blog is connected to other
Internet features that do lead back to you
- your email address, your Web site, your
instant messaging usernames and worst of
all, your real name.
Even the smallest detail
could lead back to you. Most sites will not
prompt you for your home address, but will
ask for your postcode.
Don't give them the
real postcode - use a neighboring postcode.
It won't seriously change your search results,
but it will help to guard your privacy.
It's one thing for someone who's earned your
trust to have these details - but they shouldn't
be vulnerable to some random searcher who
may not even be a member of the online dating
service.
No one wants to be stalked, but
with a few sensible precautions, that's easy
enough to avoid.
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