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Today,
as everyone who uses a computer and surfs the Internet knows, the World Wide Web
can be used for a large number of reasons, the more popular uses among them
being banking and e-commerce, shopping, and finding a partner in love. As the
number of users like you has been growing steadily, so has the need for a set of
manners and behaviors, or proper online dating etiquette, grown.
On social matchmaking and dating sites,
social etiquette is very important, because today, more and more boys and girls
are visiting these sites looking for love or companionship. What this means is
that the cyber-dating scene has made it imperative for all you users to follow a
certain code of etiquette. This way, any potential cyber faux pas or a break in
protocol that would perhaps put you in a tough social situation can be avoided.
After all, isn't it better to know the rules before you start dating, rather
than wonder at the end of it all, “What happened. I thought we were getting
along just fine?”
The first thing to remember, however, is to never sign yourself into an unknown
and less used dating site. It is always a good idea to stick to a good and
reputable site, where you can feel most comfortable, and be yourself. Such a
dating site would never break your confidence and sell your e-mail identity to
unscrupulous persons, and also, this type of site would never allow its users to
use profanity in any form. The second thing to remember is to remain completely
honest, whenever and wherever possible, in your profile and personal details.
The reason is that if you really desire to get to know someone, and like that
person, then the truth about you would come out eventually, when you meet him or
her. Online dating etiquette therefore dictates that honesty is probably the
better policy to follow.
You could set up a separate e-mail account, meant just for the purpose of
dating. Choose your online user name wisely, and try not to go overboard with
it, like for example, no one would actually want to get to know someone called
'Beach Bum'. Allow some time, at least a week, for a response to come through,
and try not to write someone off, based on his or her very first e-mail. After
all, he could simply be testing the waters. Remember to check your grammar and
spelling, nothing could put someone off as much as bad grammar or poor spelling,
and it may give a completely wrong impression about you, if you do not take this
simple step in online dating etiquette.
Some people wonder, why is there no response from him or her? At times, it is
best to know that when you contact someone you think you like, and that person
does not respond, then it can be taken to mean that he or she is not interested
in you. Experts say that the 'silent treatment', whether it is on your side, or
on the other, is one of the best solutions to this problem, rather than having
to write an entire essay on why he or she does not want to be your friend any
more. In the same way, it would be best if you could refrain from asking too
many personal questions in the very first e-mail, like for example, “Where do
you live”, and “Where do you work?” All these questions can be brought up later,
when it has been decided that there is indeed interest on both sides. If,
however, you decide to end your online relationship, for whatever reason, then
the online dating etiquette approves of sending an e-mail to end it, rather than
making an embarrassing telephone call.
Finally, remember that once you have decided upon one individual, and feel that
he or she is the one for you, then do not remain open to other offers. Nothing
can put off an individual more than knowing that you are still interested in
other people, after you have specifically chosen this one person as the love of
your life. Therefore, etiquette says that you must close your account with the
dating service, if you feel that you have
met Mr. or Ms Right. Do confirm by a politely worded statement, whether the
other person feels the same, like for example, by saying, “Don't you think our
profiles can come down now?” and then go about closing your account with the
online dating site. All the Best! |