*** The Do's and Dont.s of Online Dating *** *** Chat Tips *** KnightSirKarl SirKarl@patmedia.net *** Never respond to obscene, crude or spam Emails EVER. 1. Remain anonymous ! [NO ! - phone #, last name, real email address, work place location, etc. = ALL traceables] 1a. Use for DATING ONLY chat and Email name @ 1st. [with NO traceable Links !] 2. Be Honest ! [following line is optional but cute tho] [show Your emotions with chat smiley faces, [ :o) = Me ]] 3. *Biggest let down!!* *IS* Dreaming about who they are! [ask for a recent Pic n Profile, saves time n hurt feelings later] [Office supply store **CAN** duplicate any pic electronicaly] 4. 1st Phone call USE *67 +Number to block caller ID. 5. DO remember details = to prevent being misguided, set-up. 6. Listen to your intuition re: YOUR Safety. 7. Feel Comfortable before! 1st meeting, tell Best friend details, phone numbers, meeting place, etc.. 8. 1st *Meeting* SHOULD be short and @ Public place. 8a. Use Your OWN transportation [NO! pickups]. 8b. afterward, 1st Date is Non-Typicaly better. 9. BE/Act/Practice Safety !! *** AOL's Rules *** As more people begin to strike up friendships via online communication and chat, *** it's important to share some tried and true advice *** *** for doing it the right way -- the smart way. *** Love@AOL has 7 essential "do's and don'ts" for online dating that we want you to know: 1. Even though you may feel you've come to know that "special someone" through your online interaction, DO remember that the people you meet online are in fact strangers. 2. DON'T give out your telephone number or address. Guard your personal information. 3. DON'T believe everything you read. It's very easy for someone to misguide you via their online correspondence. Remember that the person at the other end may not be who they say they are. 4. DON'T respond to any correspondence that's lewd or crude or in any way makes you feel uncomfortable. You can also change your screen name or have multiple screen names. Use a different screen name just for your incoming mail if you are feeling uncomfortable. Ignore obscene e-mails and IMs. 5. DO report any obscene e-mails you receive from AOL members. To do so, forward the mail to TOSemail1@aol.com. 6. DON'T meet other members offline. If, however, you choose to meet someone, use good judgment and common sense. DO meet in a public place and, if possible, in a group setting. 7. DO remember that your online interaction should be fun and entertaining. So use your good judgment, be sensible and just have a good time. *** Yahoo's Rules *** It's a good idea to take precautions when meeting people online, just as you would do in the offline world. The following tips are just some of the things you might want to consider as you begin online dating. These tips are not designed to scare you, but to encourage you to be smart, use common sense, play it safe, and have fun. Online Conversations Remain anonymous. You should avoid being identified online. Start by getting a free, anonymous Yahoo! Mail account. Never give out your real name, phone number, or address in chat rooms or in personals ads. If you decide you want to give out personal information anyway, be sure you're giving it to someone you can trust. Be honest. Be truthful in your Yahoo! Personals ad and in online conversations. Make your intentions clear. If you're just flirting, be sure that the other person isn't taking you seriously. Being honest can prevent disappointment for both you and your potential date. Just remember - you could end up meeting this person. You don't want to hurt others' feelings with false impressions. Always pay attention. Listen to your intuition - it's your best defense. Use common sense. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Even if you feel it, it's a smart idea to save saying "I Love You" for a face-to-face encounter. Pay attention to habits and moods - are they changing? If something doesn't feel right, feel free to stop communicating with that person. Wait till you're comfortable to call. Let the other person bring up the idea of talking on the phone. When he or she asks for your number and you're not ready to give it out, politely say "no," but ask for a number you can call when you're ready. If you decide to call, pay attention to who answers the phone and the background noises you hear. Do they match what you know about the person? Take it slowly. Spend as much time communicating electronically as is necessary for you to feel comfortable enough to actually meet the person. Don't be coerced into meeting face to face. If someone really wants to meet you, he or she will wait till you're ready. First Face-to-Face Meeting Tell someone your plans. As soon as you have concrete plans, tell your best friend or a family member exactly where you'll be. If you have a mobile phone, enter some emergency phone numbers and bring it along. Err on the side of caution. Just because you feel like you already know your date doesn't mean that you actually do. Treat this first date just as you would any other first date. Use common sense and good judgment. Use your own transportation. Don't rely on your date for transportation. If things aren't going well, it will be easier for you to leave if you have your own way home. If you aren't driving, make sure you have enough cash in your pocket for a cab ride, or arrange for a friend to pick you up at a designated time and place. Agree to meet in a public place. Go to a popular restaurant, cafe, museum, park, or any public place where other people hang out. Double date with a friend if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don't agree to meet anywhere isolated, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable for you.