Some important advices for someone who is new to online dating. The online dating world is different than the usual dates. In usual dates you first know the person physically. In online dating your first impression is personality.
Don't waste time. About one third of the people who date online are married. So the best is to learn how to read between the lines and don't fall into a trap.
Some alert signs are: only receiving calls from cell phones, specially at unusual hours; refusal to give a contact phone; dates are always scheduled for Saturday night, and never during the day.
Talk on the phone with your virtual partner before meeting personally. A little conversations can tell you more than switching e-mails.
If after a good phone conversation you don't like what you heard, reflect if its worth to meet personally. You should only go to eye to eye contact when there is a chance of affective and intellectual involvement.
Be wise. Know your potential partner as soon as possible, that way you'll create less expectations and plans. And know that the higher they are the more likely you partner isn't what you're expecting.
Know how to distinguish between optimism and precaution. While you have reasons to believe your date is a normal person, be alert to don't bee fooled. Find a public place and tell someone where you're going. Always take a cell phone and never accept a ride.
Avoid scheduling a date to your preferred places. If the relations doesn't go well you'll have less chances to meet the person accidentally.
The first date should always be during the day. And in places with movement, you'll be safer.
During the day you'll have another additional advantage, you can have a better look at your date's appearance. About one third of the people who date online lie about their physical attributes.
Try to have an unusual first date. A standard date at a bar or restaurant usually create a tense environment. Try to go for something different, like a mini golf game, an amusement park or a visit to the zoo.
If after the date your partner insist in not accepting your calls, don't be to affected about it. You probably already did the same or will do in the near future. One of the advantages of online dating is that you can easily find someone, so stop crying and start searching again.
