The Do’s and Don’ts of Online Dating

Online dating is gaining more and more popularity more than ever, now that almost everybody has access to the Internet whether in PC or mobile. However, online dating can also be pretty daunting because not all online dating experiences are pleasant. And this is the reason why it is important for you to know and understand the do’s and don’ts of online dating.

If you have been doing online dating for quite a while now or it is the first time you have tried it, you would have noticed that this is not exactly the same as dating in the real world. While they do share some similarities, there are also plenty of ways in which they differ.

There are certain guidelines or rules you must know and follow when you talk and meet with these virtual strangers in order to avoid regretting the experience.

So, here are the do’s of online dating:

1. Meet in a public place

Once you decide to meet the person you are chatting with, make sure that you meet them in a public place because you can still never tell if they are trustworthy or not. Even if they are not the type who can afford to do a crime, you will be able to save yourself from the risk of any sexual advances if you choose to meet them somewhere public.

2. Tell someone about where you are going

This is something that women, most especially, should do, although men are not an exception. If you get the feeling that something’s not right about your date, don’t hesitate to immediately let someone know.

3. Don’t allow your date to pick you up

If you have your own transportation, it will be better if you use your own. This way, you won’t have to put yourself at the mercy of someone who is a complete stranger.

4. Get your money ready

Women going out on dates should also be ready with their money because even if men are expected to be the ones who will have to pay the bills during dates, women should still volunteer or ask to split the bill.

5. Be polite

You have to make sure to stay polite even if your date does not look like what you expected. If there are little changes with the things you are expecting from your date, do not be easily annoyed, and make sure that you treat them with the same respect and courtesy they deserve.

6. Thank your date for a great time

Even if you are no longer interested in meeting them again, you must thank your date for the time with either a text or a phone call. This does not mean that you have to immediately accept the second invitation because you have the freedom to decline.

The don’ts of online dating:

1. Going to your date’s house on a first date

This one is a no-no because like what we have previously mentioned, you will never know if your date is trustworthy. Why would they even bring you to their house on a first date? When you make this mistake, you are only putting yourself at the risk of danger.

2. Bringing along friends or family members for a date

You are going out on a date to get to know a person better and for the other person to get to know you, not your friend nor any member of your family. If you want to bring along some friends for safety reasons, you can ask them to hang out somewhere nearby but not exactly with you.

3. Arriving late

Nobody wants to wait for someone who’s not punctual. If you come in late, you are not making a good impression and it will only show that you do not value your date’s time.

4. Wearing indecent clothes

You should avoid wearing an outfit that shows too much skin because you might make your date think about something else. Worse, they might just lose their respect for you before you even get the chance to know each other better. Just dress nice and decent at the same time with the clothes you are comfortable to wear.