Tinder, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat… So many ways to interact and communicate with people online. Global digitization has been rampant in today’s world, which is both exciting and scary at the same time. The internet has made it easier for people all across the globe to connect with one another, making it easier to match with people with the same interests. Just a few swipes and you might land your next lover. From 1995, couples who met online rose from 2% to 39% in 2017. But this is just expected because as technology develops, opportunities are everywhere!
But the question is, how should you handle online dating? Are there measures that you do before you meet up with someone you’ve interacted online?
First of all, how you present yourself online is a vital factor in your overall online dating experience. As someone who is looking for a casual partner online, make sure that you only post your best photo in order to attract potential chatmates. Besides, who would want to meet with someone who looks so haggard and lifeless, right? So get your creative juices working and make yourself look pretty (or handsome) so you can easily snatch your next partner.
Moving forward, let’s say you’ve already set up your online dating profile, next step you have to do is prospecting. Be active on the social media platform, online dating site, or classifieds site that you chose. Try to join forums too and interact with fellow users, especially those with the same interests as you. But this part is the most crucial since this is where you will be talking to people over the internet. Be careful on what information you disclose and share with other people. Observe yourself too! See how you respond to the people pinging you. Are you approachable and fun to talk to? This will let people know that you are open for a much deeper connection that just talking between screens.
Let’s say you have already found someone who really catches your attention and gives you butterflies every time you talk, you can get excited, right? Hold your horses! Assess yourself first if you really want to meet up with this person, and when you do, find a place with a lot of people. You know, just for added security. Besides, you’re meeting with a total stranger.
And then here comes the part you are most excited about: getting laid. Prepare yourself as this might be surprising and new to you. Take note, you are not required to have sex on your first date, nor are you obliged to kiss! Did you know that most people prefer to have sex only after their eighth date? A study for Groupon discovered that men are likely to have sex after the fifth date, while women prefer to take their time and get intimate only after the eighth date! So, no rush take your time and get to know your partner better before taking things to the next level.
Also, this would really vary depending on how eager you are in online dating. Remember, sex does not happen only in the bedroom. Cybersex is very common nowadays so it will depend on how you will handle the situation. It’s not bad to have some fun every once in a while, but make sure that you are safe and protected!