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Dating Advice Articles

By: bricko@tconl.com

Did you know that in this day and age, one’s first date can be a ‘virtual date’? WHAT? You ask?

Before getting into Virtual Dating, let’s discuss answering ads and responses. By now, you’ve followed the directions of the particular dating website, created your personal profile and actual ad. Your ad discusses what you like to do (moonlit strolls along the creek bed or trundling through waist high brush quail hunting) and what you’re looking for (hot woman for snorkeling through Florida’s coral beds or rebellious man for four-wheeling in the country). What you say about yourself will tell the world what you are about. Think carefully about the impression you want to leave. Most personals sites have self-questions and ideas for writing your ad, so think carefully and have fun writing your ad!

When writing your ad, never place personal information, such as your address, phone number or place of work. You’re goal is to find that special someone and not a crazy loon who will call and visit you twenty four hours per day. Placing a picture is entirely up to you, but your chances of getting hits (responses to your ad) are greatly increased with a picture. It doesn’t have to be a professional picture or a suggestive one (unless that is your goal). A head shot, from the shoulders up, is a good idea. Now your ad is complete.

Now that you have your ad placed, you can browse through ads. You can search by checking off points you’re looking for, such as age range, body type and height. You may send and receive ‘winks’, ‘nudges’ or emails from people in the dating site. If someone catches your eye and you’ve sent or received a message from that person, you may want to meet.

This is where Virtual Dating comes in.

On GAY.COM Personals (or most any online personals/dating service), you can have a private chat room for meeting that special someone. This gives you a chance to meet ‘in real time, converse and find out more about each other, and you can send and receive pictures and files.

A Virtual Date is just like a first date, but only online. You set up a day and time to meet. You can first meet in a public chat room, where everyone can see what you are typing, then, when you’re comfortable enough, go private. That means clicking on the other person’s name and clicking on ‘private’. This will bring up a separate room where it will just be the two of you. You can see each other’s web cam; have avatars (characters that represent you) or plain pictures or caricatures. Whatever you’re comfortable with. What you discuss is entirely up to you.

This is a good way to get the dreaded first date out of the way. It’s a safe, non-threatening way to meet others. Now that you’ve mastered the Virtual Date, it’s time for the real thing!

* continue to next article: The Dreaded First Date