Love Online: It's Nothing Personal

Online dating is just one of the many things that technology over the internet has done to change social activities. You already know that the internet is a big world, but it's actually a little bit more complicated than the numbers might suggest. It's big, but in terms of online dating profiles, it's even bigger. And there are very essential things that you need to know to keep yourself safe. That's because one user often creates multiple profiles online, creating the impression that there are more people when there's actually less. The cyberworld has become a ground for predators and if you will not be careful, you might become a victim of either identity theft or other crimes you never would have thought would happen to you. That's why, when dealing with online dating, it's important to know exactly what you're getting into. There are four things you need to know about online dating.

1. Everyone online is a liar.

Now before all of you honest folks get your panties in a twist, let us explain. People are terrible judges of themselves. It is hard for everyone to swallow their pride and their perspective and give a totally honest portrayal of themselves online. So take everything with a grain of salt. Some people will out and out lie about everything from their age to the Dorian Gray qualities of their online photo, while others will just withhold what you might consider vital information, which they thought was not important at all (like a partner).


2. Different people / different definitions

Masculine, athletic, funny. There are self-descriptions that plague online personals like chicken pox in a second grade classroom. Some guys think they are the funniest guys in the world, but you won't agree. A guy who walked past a gym once might consider himself athletic. 'Gym 4xweek' always makes us laugh because usually these guys basically just go to the gym to cruise the steam room. Just keep in mind that self-description are just that -- how people perceive themselves. Never mind the fact that if all these guys really did enjoy "playing basketball, mountain hiking, working out 4xweek, surfing, racing, and hanging out with friends," they couldn't possibly hold down a full-time job and spend four hours in a chat room every night looking for guys to score with.


3. Inconsistency is always a warning sign.

If you notice something inconsistent in someone's ad or in their correspondence with you, don't ignore it; it is a clear warning sign. When you first start talking to a guy online, he may seem so great that you don't want to spoil that feeling. But when you get that sense in your gut that something isn't matching up, don't pretend it isn't there. Investigate it and get to the truth -- you'll be glad you did.


4. Ask for and send multiple photos.

People look different from photo to photo. You should send two or three photos to give people more of a three-dimensional perspective of you, and ask for the same. Some people only have one good photo. That's a bad sign. Just because someone looked in a tuxedo at their sister's wedding in 2007 doesn't mean their photo search should end there.


We hope this trip down the true love lane has provoked some thought and interest in online dating. Just be careful out there. Use your best judgment. And have a good time. Remember: one date doesn't mean relationship for life. Enjoy yourself.

Mga Dahilan Para Manatiling Single

Ikaw ay single at walang commitment kaninuman. Nagagawa mong makipag-party at matulog hanggang tanghali ng walang sinumang magbabawal o sasaway sa iyong ginagawa. It's a great life, at bakit nga ba hindi? Sa ngayon, walang aktuwal na social pressure upang ikasal agad pagkatapos ng college o high school.


Gayunma'y ang nakaiiritang katanungan na ito ay nakapagpapagulo ng iyong isipan: Dapat na ba akong mag-settle down? Dapat ko na bang isuko ang aking kalayaan? Handa na ba akong harapin ang buhay may-asawa at magpaalam sa aking single days? Habang sinasagot mo ang mga katanungang ito, narito ang ilang mga dahilan kung bakit nais ng ibang manatiling single.


1. May panahon k apara hanapin ang tamang taong makakasama habambuhay.

Sa pagpapanatiling single, maaari ka pang makapaghintay para sa iyong true soul mate. Maaari ka pang makipag-date sa iba't ibang klase ng tao upang makapamili. Sa madaling salita, hinahanap mo si Miss Right upang maiwasan ang habambuhay na pagkakamali at ikasal dahil sa love (pag-ibig), hindi dahil sa desperado ka. Sa pamamagitan ng pag-eenjoy sa dating game, maaari kang makapamili na nararapat sa iyo at makaiwas sa hiwalayan sa panahong mag-asawa na kayo.


2. Maaari kang mag-focus sa iyong career.

Sa pagpapanatili na single, maaari mong i-enjoy at pagtuunan ng pansin ang oportunindad na itaguyod ang sariling career batay na rin sa iyong kagustuhan nang walang pressure mula sa permanent relationship. Ikaw ay malayang magtrabaho ng mahabang oras, magtarabaho kahit weekends o anumang gawain na maari kang magtagumpay. Ito ay mainam para sa mga nagtatrabaho ng propesyong nangangailangan ng mahabang oras tulad ng medicine, law o entrepreneurship. Ang advantage o kagandahan nito ay kapag lumago ang iyong business at maging mucho dinero ka, dadagsa ang mga taong magnananais na sila ay mapasaiyo at ikaw naman ay wala pang panahon para pag-isipan ang tungkol sa kasal.


3. Maari mong gawin ang anumang bagay sa anuman oras na iyong ibigin.

Kapag ikaw ay single, ang buong mundo'y parang isang talaba na maaari mong namnamin. Maaari kang kang makapamili at pumunta saan mo man gustuhin, gawin ang anumang bagay na naisin anumang oras mo gustuhin. Walang sinuman ang magdidikta sa iyo kung ano ang gagawin mo, bibilhin at pipiliin mo. Ikaw ay malayang lumabas kasama ng iyong mga barkada, party 'till dawn at maglaan ng ilang oras para sa iyong personal interests at hobbies. Higit sa lahat, ikaw ay may layang mamuhay mag-isa kung nais mo ang mga bagay na ito.

Para sa iba pang mga kadahilanan, maaari kayong magbigay ng iyong mga komento at ideya. Maraming salamat!