The goal of online dating is to eventually meet and go out on that all-important date. However, online dating is very different than dating someone that you meet in the “real” world. There are some tips that you need to know so that your online dating experience is as safe and as positive as possible.

You’ll most likely be very nervous and excited when it comes time to meet your online date. The experience can be very thrilling but it’s important that you be on the defensive when you meet for the very first time. Always keep in mind that this is someone who you haven’t yet met and there will be many things that you don’t know about them. There are some things that you can do to make your first date safe and exciting at the same time:

• Always arrange to meet your date somewhere rather than having them pick you up from your home. You don’t want to let them know where you live so that they can find you in the future if the date doesn’t work out.
• Meet in a public place such as a restaurant or café. You want to be sure that there are plenty of people around in case things go seriously wrong. You might want to consider going out on a double date or with a group of people so that you aren’t alone on your first date. Again, this can only add to the safety of your first date.
• Pay for half of the date. If you pay for half of the date you won’t feel obligated to return the favor if your date pays your way.
• Try to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink. Alcohol can ease your inhibitions and affect your judgement. If you’re going to be drinking on your first date make sure that you keep your drink in view all times so that nothing can be slipped into it. Make sure that you don’t get drunk so that you can be in control at all times.
• Make sure that you let someone else know where you’re going to be. You might want to consider having someone call you on your cell phone as a check in so they know that you’re alright.
• Use your own method of transportation to get to and from the date. You don’t want to get into a car on your first date.

Online dating can be a fun and exciting experience. The one thing that you need to remember is that you practice safety and be practical in the decisions that you make about your date.

Online dating can be just as difficult for men as it can be for women. One thing that men need to keep in mind is that you never get a second chance to leave a good impression. It’s often a one time deal and you need to make the most of that first impression. Before you panic there are some things that you can do to make your online dating experience a success.


Perhaps the most important thing to do is be on time for the date. If you arrive late you’ll be sending out the message that you don’t really care enough about the date to be there on time. Lateness is good indication to women that you’re not reliable and that you can’t be counted on. Try to arrive a few minutes early so that you look as though you’re eager for the date to begin.


Take some time to prep for your date and focus on your grooming. You don’t want to arrive to your first date looking unshaven and unkempt. Women enjoy a date that takes care of himself. Do everything that you would do if this first date were a second or third date and you really want to leave a good impression. If your appearance is in question the woman won’t be able to see past your looks to the person you are inside.


Consider arriving with a small gift. Women love the thoughtfulness of a date that arrives with a little something such as flowers or a box of chocolates. You don’t want to go overboard but you do want to let the woman know that you’re appreciative of the chance to go out with her. You want to be a gentleman whenever possible and this means holding doors, pulling out chairs, and letting her walk through doors before you. Women enjoy the feeling of being pampered and respected. And just think, it might lead to a second date!


Practice good listening skills on your first date. No woman wants to spend time with a man who spends the whole time talking about himself. The goal of a first date is to get to know each other so that you can decide if you have enough in common and enough attraction to go out on a second date. Women are attracted to men who are interested in what they have to say.


Use your intuition when it comes to that first date. Be honest about what you’re thinking and feeling at the end of it. Don’t promise that you’ll call if you have no intention of contacting her again. Women appreciate honesty even if it hurts.

Even More Online Dating Tricks

All types of everyday activities are growing in popularity online these days like sharing photos and greeting cards. In fact, both of these even go hand in hand with online dating opportunities, one of the most popular online activities for singles today.

Before actually meeting in person, many dates get acquainted online first. Here’s how.

Photos - As a wonderful keepsake of your budding romance, create an online photo album for your new cyber-mate.  Include digital photos of favorite outdoor scenes, pets, flowers, cars, silly moments, your computer corner or laptop, etc.  Then you’ll even have more to discuss during online dates via emails and chat rooms. Search for “photo albums” to find places that store your photos.

Greeting Cards- Regardless of where the person lives, you can mail a greeting card. If privacy and security is an issue, check into renting an inexpensive P.O. Box (check the Yellow Pages). You do not have to be an artist to make something homemade and special for the new friend in your life.  Even making a special, personalized greeting card would be appreciated and show your date that you care enough to take the time needed to make something by hand.  Search your favorite search engine for online greeting cards to send, too. They range from free to low cost and can be sent in a click.

So get online and get active! No need to risk meeting in person until you get more familiar with each other online first. So take the online plunge!

More Online Dating Tricks

A couple of popular online activities are sharing recipes and bidding at auctions. And both of these easily fit well into online dating opportunities, one of the most popular online activities for singles today.

To help many dates get better acquainted online, here’s what potential cyber-dates do.

Sharing Recipes – People get tired talking about the weather. So a popular subject to turn to is food. Sharing favorite foods and recipes helps break the ice and even forms friendships over culinary skills – or lack of – and tastes. Search your favorite search engine for “free recipes” to share. Take photos of your culinary creations and share them with your date, too.

Bidding at Auctions – Ebay auctions sell nearly anything and everything! So surf around and enter searches like the dates you were in middle school. Share cool memorabilia photos of old games and toys from when you were a child or when your parents or grandparents were little; The Dating Game, Oscar Mayer wiener whistles, The Partridge Family Album, Bobby Sherman’s Album, 45’s and more.

Online dating can be an educational and fun experience. So learn more about each other and have fun while you’re at it. Take a cyber-stroll down memory lane together and see what’s cookin’.

Free Online Dating Tips - 02

Just like regular real-world relationships, online relationships need tending, to grow over time. Here are some quick growing tips.

1.     Take time and make time. Does your online date get in touch with you regularly? Do you do the same? Neglecting virtual meetings can be considered abuse or neglect, so treat each other’s time with respect. If it’s lacking, might mean time to move on.

2.     Communication needs to “feel” right for both of you. If one of you is too pushy about meeting, for instance, that can give off bad vibes. So don’t rush. Take time to learn more about each other and develop trust.

3.     Respect each others privacy. Don’t share personal email addresses or digital photos online, for example, if your online date sent you the information in confidence. 

4.     Share special online and offline fun times. Online – send greeting cards, links to favorite places to upload digital photos of your favorite pet, download music and video clips, post on favorite forums of interest. Offline- if you’re exchanging addresses or post office boxes, send print greeting cards and postcards, small items from your area (like a key chain with your state bird).

Tend your online relationship. Water it with care and over time it can sprout and grow.

Free Online Dating Tips - 01

Online dating can be fun. But don’t neglect safety and common sense when you try to hook up with a mate. At minimum, take caution in the following areas.

Protect Your Computer

Take care of your equipment and systems before you head out into the Internet realm. You need to have a firewall and anti-virus protection for your email and for when you search websites and interact online. At the bare minimum, you may want these two solutions that are offered at no charge to home computer users (i.e. not for commercial use):

Free Firewall Download: ZoneAlarm www.zonelabs.com

Free Anti-Virus Download: AVG Anti-Virus www.grisoft.com

Protect Yourself

Take care of yourself, too, by choosing appropriate dating sites. Seek and choose a reputable online dating service.  How? Begin by asking around with friends, neighbors, co-workers and others you may know who have tried online dating, and see which places they recommend. In addition, search “online dating services” and keep a notebook of their URLs or website links, the fees, rules and regulations, complete contact information of each and any other useful information that spikes your interest. Then compare each place.  Try only those places where you feel safe. Avoid the others.

So take care. Arm your computer – and yourself- with the correct tools and knowledge!