Do you think interneting is safe? If so, how do you determine when to meet a person for the 1st time? Thank you!! :)
2006-10-16 17:14:03 · 17 answers · asked by denise 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Singles & Dating
Internet dating can be perfectly safe. It's important to use your noggin though and follow certain guidelines:
1. Trust your instincts: When it comes to dating, you have to be responsible for your own safety. So when that little voice inside speaks up and says that something's not quite right, we urge you to listen and just walk away. Chances are your subconscious picked something up that your conscious mind didn't.
2. Protect your identity: Don't reveal your identity if you're not confident that the person is worthy of your trust. That's why your Yahoo! Personals mailbox is a double-blind system. It lets you communicate anonymously until you decide to reveal more information.
3. Ask for a photo: A picture is worth a dozen clues about a person. If the person you're talking to won't send you one, it may be a sign to just walk away.
4. Take it slow: Don't let anyone pressure you into a date. Get to know the person online first, then on the phone. If it doesn't feel right, say thanks and move on.
5. Phone before you date: The phone gives you the best blend of anonymity, privacy, and "social presence" (meaning you still get a good sense of what the other person is like). Use whatever privacy features your phone offers to keep your number safe. If you decide to meet, then...
6. Meet publicly: If you choose to meet someone in person, a well-populated, public venue (like a coffee shop) is usually a smart option. It's always a good idea to have cab fare (or a car) and your mobile phone with you, and to let others know where you.ll be.
As for knowing when to meet, it's different for everyone. But typically people will meet after a few emails back and forth and a phone call or two.
2006-10-16 17:18:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are some dodgy people out there. I did meet a man who wanted to be 'secret friends' because he revealed he was actually MARRIED!! the hide of it!
But I did manage to find a good guy on the internet dating sites and we are much in love and still strong after 11months. Make sure you have a normal photo of yourself, you'll do better with hook ups if people can see what you look like.
So chat to them on the phone once emails have been exchanged to check out what they are like.
Arrange to meet ...selectively... and suggest a public venue (meet there) for a short date, like a coffee or an ice-cream. Dress like yourself, nothing too overtly sexy!
Walk away immediately if the person you meet is not what they said they were online eg age, they'll be lying about other things and thats not a good sign.
Line up a good friend to call you say 15 minutes into the date so you can make an excuse to leave - politely- if need be! Don't get drunk! Suggest you split the bill early then no-one feels 'pressured' to match the cost with other things - you know what I mean, or decide together the payment method earlier in the date, treat him or her if you like!
Remember these people are strangers and you need to get to know them first, before revealing private details like where you live or work.
2006-10-16 17:25:45 · answer #2 · answered by Jane T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think internet dating is pretty dangerous, but then again, they can be people just like us. If you really really trust this person, meet them in a public place for the first twenty or so dates. I normally talk to the guy for about 7 months before even meeting them face to face.
Good luck, and be safe!
2006-10-16 17:16:27 · answer #3 · answered by ♥<ŦĦØΛ>♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are doing this internet bf/gf crap where you never meet in real life and just talk on the phone and share photos, STOP NOW. I have been there myself a few times and it always comes to the same thing: depression and an extra dose of teen angst. It's safe to say that internet dating should be avoided at all costs.
2006-10-16 17:20:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be really really cautious and a definite NO if you are under 18 - if you think you are ready to meet the person or want to - ask yourself -
do you know definite things about them - schools, where they live, exact address, last name.. have you sent a card to them at that address to make sure it is their address
- a picture of them
-tell people you are going
-meet the person with a friend
-always meet in a public place
I would wait a while - several months if not longer - there are tons and tons of women and girls mostly that go missing after meeting people on the internet - mainly because so many people misrepresent who they are and that poses a real danger..
Make sure you know certain things - that you know for sure he lives somewhere or what kind of car he drives - things that would help if anything did happen essentially and so you know he is who he says he is.
2006-10-16 17:17:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
internet can be safe if you know what to ask for and know what fakeness the other person is. if you plan on meeting the person for the first time ask for plenty of pictures and especially poses you want them to do. one way to make sure that your doing the safe thing is to buy some clothing and have them wear it with a mark on a tag or something and let them take a pic. at least you know the person who is wearing what you bought looks like the person that has been in all the photo's you've seen.
2006-10-16 17:17:43 · answer #6 · answered by da skoolar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you have to get his phone # not giving yours. See him in day time for some coffee or lunch in place where is a lot of people.
Anyway the net dating for me is just ball sh.... The accidental natural meeting is the spirit of life. Not some fiction and deal with some psycho screwed up person from net. Maybe 1 of 1000000 are successful story. Just commercial to take your money, and you are on your own journey to the Hell.
2006-10-16 17:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by Toto 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i don't think it's safe, and it shouldn't be done at all.
Yes some will use webcams, but still, you don't have a good reason to trust them.
I say ditch the internet dating, and find some kind of dating business that lets you meet others in REAL LIFE. :)
2006-10-16 17:16:47 · answer #8 · answered by John Doe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally wait awhile to meet off line. I tend to start by Yahoo IMing for a bit ...then start talking on the phone. You can usually tell by phone calls if they are semi- normal. If all goes well on the phone a couple times...meet for a fun "quick" date. If it is a good date the "quick" part can become al day..lol
2006-10-16 17:17:58 · answer #9 · answered by KA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive dated many girls off the internet and actualy moved across country to be with them and currently in another online relationship me id say when ever you feel that its right and wanna take that next step id start by meeting them in a public place first
2006-10-16 17:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by aaron b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋