The world of dating is changing. One out of every five new relationships now begins online, and women are almost as likely to use online dating services as men. With an estimated seven million people now using them in the UK alone, they’re a great way to go looking for love.
Successfully meeting your ideal companion online is not just about creating an attractive dating profile. You will also need to know the rules.
Know your etiquette
If you want to make a good impression, you’ll need to be polite. Get it right with these simple tips.
- Be clear about what you’re after. Let people know if you want sex, romance or both, and don’t feel obliged to respond to people who ignore this.
- Don’t be too forward. Unless somebody has specifically okayed it in their profile, do not send explicit pictures without permission.
- Don’t get too personal. Most people do not exchange addresses, phone numbers or workplace details until they have met in person.
- Stay safe. If you decide to meet somebody, do it first in a public place. Likewise, be sure to respect the other person’s need to feel safe.
- Don’t be afraid to say no. If you receive a proposition that does not interest you, it is okay to ignore it. Otherwise, keep your response simple and be polite but firm.
- Make friends! Not every opportunity will blossom into romance, but there are other good reasons to connect with people.
Getting your online dating etiquette right will ensure you don’t look like a newcomer and keep you from accidentally offending people you might like to connect with. It will keep you safe and help you avoid negative experiences so you can relax and have fun getting to know people. You never know – you might find that special person you’ve been looking for all your life!
