http://www.amazingdatingtips.com/relationship/n55.html An online relationship can be tricky, but it can also be fun. But you have to be wise when it comes to having an online relationship. en-us Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:13:56 EST Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:13:56 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 If you're new to online dating, there are some things to keep in mind to keep yourself safe and to keep your heart from getting broken. Online Dating Most people don't really go into online dating expecting it to turn into an online relationship. But it might. In fact, many marriages were started from an online relationship. When you first start an online relationship, remember that not everyone who's on an online dating site is being 100% honest. In addition, a lot of people seem to have a really deluded idea of what they think the opposite sex wants to see in an online profile (or worse, what they think the opposite sex is looking for). This is particularly true for men. There are some honest, down-to-earth profiles for some men, but others write things that imply that they have money, so a woman should want them for that, or that they are sex machines, and women should want them for that. Ummm.....hello?!? Get real guys! Most women who are on an online dating site aren't looking for sex. Although, some might be golddiggers. Very few though. Would you really want someone who was initially into you for your money? How would you ever know if she loved you for you? Come on! Get some self-esteem! Okay, this sermon is done. But seriously--be honest when you're on an online dating site. Don't try to be something you're not either. After all--you want to find someone who will make you happy for a very long time. Do you want it under false pretenses? That might work for awhile, but eventually, you'll get tired of maintaining a facade. Meeting in Person Now, let's say you've found someone you'd like to meet. After exchanging a sufficient number of emails and establishing a certain comfort level with one another, you decide to take your online relationship to the next level--meeting in person. Now, this might be an exciting time for both of you. But don't set your expectations too high. Remember, you're both still trying to make good impressions on each other. When you decide to meet for the first time, it's probably best that each of you get a group of friends together and meet somewhere like a bar (but not a loud bar). Don't meet at each other's houses or ride together. You still don't know each other well enough for that. Don't be stupid--be safe. After you meet, if you still dig each other, you might want to start dating. Who knows where it might lead? As we said before, many marriages have resulted from an online relationship. But if you aren't into the other person, be nice. Let them down gently. Remember the Golden Rule--do unto others as you would have done unto you--and you should be fine. Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:13:56 EST