Online Dating Etiquette

More and more people are becoming interested on online dating. It is one of the fastest growing services offered on the internet. In 2008, the industry has reached a financial growth of $642 million, according to Jupiter Research. Emerging as one of the major influences in building relationships, online dating has social manners different with “regular” or “tradition” dating attitude.

Conducting yourself properly while communicating online will earn you good friends and even the love of your life. But what are these online dating manners?

• Honesty is important. Truthfully answer the questions asked by the site administrator when setting up your profile. Don’t makeup things about yourself. What if you met a person online that could possibly lead into a relationship? They would surely learn about the things you’ve made up.

• Online dating allows you to connect with other people by sending emails. The main problem is when nobody responds to those emails. Is it okay to send messages to several people at once? YES, it is okay. According to surveys, in every three to five messages sent, you will be assured of one response.

• It is polite to reply to messages sent to you. But how do you respond to somebody you are not interested in? For some people not responding is rude, but actually it is a better way than telling people you do not like them. Just keep in mind that you do not have to take it personally if you did not receive any reply, either. However, being uninterested does not mean you would have to be rude. If a person has sent you a very nice letter, then reply and at least let them know that you are not interested.

• When sending replies, make sure that they are personalized and not a standard letter you send to everybody. Even if you have too much on your hands, respond appropriately. After all, you are dealing with people who have real emotions.

• Avoid asking personal questions like employment or personal address, especially if it is just the first time you have talked online. If someone persists on asking you this information you could always say that you do not share personal info with people you’ve just met.

• Don’t be pushy. Let things take their course. In short, take it slowly, give your friendship enough time to develop. You do not have to force somebody to meet you.

• When meeting face to face, for the first time, follow the safety and security rules. For example, meet in a public crowded place. To protect privacy, it is better to get there on the meeting place on your own rather than picking up and dropping off your date.

• After meeting face-to-face, send or say thank you even if there are no sparks during the date.

• If you and your date feel that there seems to be no spark in the date, then it is okay to gradually stop communicating or fade away. But if one party contacts the other, always acknowledge the person and explain that there seems to be something missing from the date and say that you are not a good match. Always say thank you.

• If you are already dating somebody you’ve met online, then take your profile down. Online dating sites would allow you to change your status, without cancelling your membership. Also, avoid corresponding with other people.

• Breaking up is another issue. Online dating experts would recommend that for those people who have only met the person once or twice, you could break up the relationship or dating through email. But if you have been going out on dates more than that, then you would have to break the news face-to-face.