BECOME SAVVY WITH ONLINE DATING

If you’re single and looking for a possible mate, you must have already tried online dating. If you have tried online dating, you must also have experienced some frustration, disappointment or maybe decided to stop it altogether.

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Whether you have tried it or you’re just in the process of deciding to use online dating sites, here are a few items to consider:

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1. Beware of disreputable sites like True.com and Quechup. Reports of these sites harvesting users’ info and contacts for use in email spams have been circulating for some time now.

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2. Beware of online predators. People who become suddenly amorous without even meeting you in person should be regarded with scepticism and suspicion. Remember that love doesn’t just happen overnight, especially if you have not met the person face to face.

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3. If you decide to meet someone in person, be sure to bring a friend or family member along. There is safety in numbers, and a predator will most likely avoid a scene in the presence of other people.

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4. Do not believe everything that is stated in the possible matches’ profile or photos. Some unscrupulous people provide fake profiles and photos to online dating sites. Do a little investigating first.

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5. Match.com and eHarmony.com are two of the  most popular sites todate. You need to read the fine print in the sites, because even the best sites have questionable billing practices. Make sure that you understand all the terms and conditions stated in their pages before paying for your first subscription. Other sites claim that they offer their services for free, but you cannot send any message unless one or both parties upgrade their subscription.

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While many couples have found love and their soul mates thru online dating, I still believe that the best way to know someone is meeting him face to face. Of course, it means that you need to network and make yourself visible and accessible to the opposite sex. Just make sure that you are not perceived as a predator yourself. The best way to sell yourself is to observe the rules of civility: respect, restraint and responsibility. Proper manners is probably the second most important aspect in choosing a future mate. The first one is compatibility and appearance.

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You will never find out until you try it, so you can go thru the process of trying it, if only to make sure that you will not miss out on meeting your possible significant other.

Just remember to use logic and analytical thinking in choosing who you want to communicate with. Use your heart only when you have filtered out the inconsequential items in the information provided by your possible mates. It’s even better to pray and ask for spiritual guidance.

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Finally, surf thru the numerous online dating sites with a lot of caution. The digital age offers both advantages and disadvantages. It is, therefore, the user’s obligation to determine if it is beneficial to him or not.