When you first meet someone through an online dating service or just by meeting him or her in a chat room, you may discover that you have an instant connection. It may seem as if your relationship just flows and communication is easy and effortless. However, just like with any other relationship, it is important to take care to protect your new budding relationship to ensure that it grows and thrives. Never underestimate the potential of an online dating relationship from developing into a truly committed union between two people. There are many couples that have healthy and happy relationships, which met through online dating sites or chat rooms. Therefore, by taking the precautions to protect your relationship you can reduce the risk of seeing your flourishing relationship fade before its time.
The first key to any successful relationship, and the online dating relationship is no exception, is to treat our partner with respect. Respect encompasses a number of different areas, but in regards to online dating relationships, you’ll find that the easiest and most effective way to show your partner respect is by being readily available for communication. This may mean answering emails, IM’s, and text messages as they occur. If your partner overwhelms you with numerous messages, you may find that it works best for both of your schedules to work out a specific time each day to chat or email each other. In the virtual world the time that you spend together may be limited to emails, chat rooms, and instant messaging services. This is comparable to seeing each other in a café or even going out to eat in a restaurant and speaking to each other face to face. If you are involved in a long distance relationship, the time that you spend communicating through these services is imperative to the health and strength of your relationship.
Not only do you need to show respect to your partner by participating in frequent communication, but you also need to exhibit patience. Every relationship requires patience to thrive and grow. When two people engage in online dating relationships, it may take a while before each person feels comfortable enough to agree to meet in person. If you are ready or eager to meet and the other person isn’t, don’t perceive this as a sign of a failed or stagnant relationship. It’s best not to push the other person into an uncomfortable situation. By giving the other person the space that he or she needs you’ll find that when the time is right, they will be receptive to meeting one-on-one.
In addition to respect and patience, your online dating relationship also requires privacy to thrive. It is easy to unintentionally violate someone’s sense of privacy online, without ever meaning any harm. If your partner sends you private or personal information, photos, or other information, be wary of posting this information online or sharing it with friends. It may be easy to discuss information with your friends in person, but sharing information regarding your partner in a chat room is never a good idea. If your partner has shared personal photos with you, don’t post them online or add them to your picture groups without making sure that it is ok first.
It is interesting you say “requires privacy to thrive” when for the most part online dating sites require members to surrender control of their personal information such that anybody on the internet can search and view their profile - yikes! The only site that I know that places a top priority upon truly private online dating is Sparkblss[dot]com.
Comment by Sparkbliss — July 10, 2008 @ 6:43 pm