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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 cyber 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
agency, 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 agency.
All the
Best!
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