How to Survive Internet Dating

There are millions of singles (and not so singles) out there on the net who have at some time signed up to an internet dating site. For most, it seemed like a good idea at the time and they played around a little, flirted a bit, told some tall stories about their past conquests and left to explore fresh pastures.

Then there are the fanatics who run wild and email every available "date" like a kid in a sweet shop. These are what I call the "serial" daters who run strings of "virtual partners" and whisper sweet nothings in all their respective ears.

There seem to be large numbers of "serial" daters of both sexes. So, a woman is just as likely to be taken in by one of these "players" as a man is. We all think we're too smart, or too streetwise to be fooled, but there are some real experts out there. Internet dating is a serious hobby to some of these.

So, how do you know who you are talking to and what they really look like? Is MrX, the dark haired six-footer, really heir to a fortune? Is he really single just because he has never found the right woman until he met you?

Is LadyP the same leggy blonde with the fabulous figure that you saw in "her" picture? Or she a very amply proportioned sixty year old with grey hair and love handles? You'll never know unless you meet face to face.

So, how do you negotiate this minefleld and come out of it with a suitable partner (assuming that's what you joined for in the first place)? It's really a case of working your way through the "offers" you will get as soon as you join any of these sites. They may not be the kind of offers you had in mind and that's where the sorting out starts.

From then on, you just have to get to know people and not take everything seriously, or on face value. Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get.

II know a few people who have met their current partner on line and made it work, so it can happen. It just takes patience to find the right one. So, if you are in the market for a fresh relationship, jump in and explore, have fun and enjoy yourself, until Mr or Miss Right comes along.