➟ You’ll get messages from other members of the site, to
which you can respond (or not). Use the site’s chat
and e-mail features to interact with potential dates.
You may also be able to read comments about the
person from others who’ve dated him or her, if the
site has that feature.➟ When you’re comfortable with the person and feel
there might be a spark, decide if you want to meet the
person offline. See the next section for detailed advice
about meeting an online acquaintance offline for the
first time.Guidelines for Safer Online Dating
Millions of people of all ages have tried Internet dating services, such as
the one shown in Figure 9-2, as a way to meet new friends and possi-
bly find a lifelong partner. It’s a great way to get acquainted with people
you never would’ve met otherwise. When you do it with caution, online
dating may be safer, even, than meeting people in the real world
because you have more time to get to know the person before meeting
him or her in person.Dating online requires that you take steps to protect yourself, including
these:➟ Learn the lingo.Online daters use some phrases with
specific meanings that go beyond the literal transla-
tions. For example someone who wants a “discreet”
relationship may be asking you to join him or her in
an extramarital affair. It’s important to understand any
subtext in the conversations, especially if you’re new to
online dating. You may want to just read entries for a
while to get used to what’s really being said.183Chapter 9: Dating Safely Online