Online Dating Safety: Love on
the Run
by Daryl Campbell
A few months back Amy Dickinson of Ask
Amy fame received a letter from someone highly concerned about a potential
online dating partner. The gist of the letter is that the would-be suitor
is ready to pack up and meet his internet friend anyplace, anytime but
only responds to half of the questions posed. What answers they do give
are very nonspecific.
Amy replies, "Two things raise red flags
to me- the fact that he doesn't answer your questions directly and the
fact that he will pack up and move anywhere in the country. This suggests
he lacks connections or is wanted by Interpol."
Whether they are a person with the wandering
spirit who just loves to travel, a drifter by nature or in trouble with
the law, no one can say for sure. But as Amy points out not answering questions
should have your instincts ringing like a fire alarm.
It's easy during the courting phase to
get caught up in the rush of emotions. While you would think the pace would
be a little slower in cyberspace than the offline world that is not always
the case. Two people that are hitting it off online can have just as strong
an attraction as people meeting in the flesh. The back and forth can give
the impression that they both parties know each other very well; if nothing
else online chats that are clicking on all cylinders have a way of establishing
a comfort zone.
There's also the strong pull of curiosity.
Naturally if things are going well between you and a potential suitor at
some point you will want to have one of those face to face meetings.
But the thing to keep in mind first and
foremost is no matter how long you have been chatting online, you really
still do not know each other. You hope what the other person tells you
about themselves (their appearance, age etc) are true but you won't really
know until you see them in person or at least talk to them by phone. While
a phone conversation cannot take the place of actually meeting the other
person, like the commercial says it is the next best thing to being there.
You should always be specific in your questioning
and keep probing until you get a response that is satisfactory to you and
your instincts. Some people get embarrassed by this because they feel it
is too much like prying. Well guess what? It is. And since it concerns
your safety let alone a possible relationship, it is more than okay to
do so.
If you are not getting the answers you
desire then be very leery. There are two kinds of lying: the one that won't
answer a direct question truthfully and the one done by omission. Be on
guard against both and let your instincts be your guide.
About the Author
Article written by Daryl Campbell "The
Relationship Tip" If you are not careful people
like this will ruin your online dating experience.
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