Online Dating.

[Lagmonster]

I used to date online. I am a non-smoker and, frankly, hate bars. Since up until a short while ago I was also a lab worker, and have been out of school for a long time, I didn't have the personality nor the time to meet people in the traditional way.

I actually met a handful of past girlfriends (one of whom, and I am not making this up, was a fashion model who worked as a legal secretary. The sex was amazing.) through the Internet, or through friends I met online. And the final nail in this is, I first met my WIFE through a university-based (and thus localized and carefully monitored) board. Granted, that's not where our relationship developped, but it still shows you that you can meet people 'online'.

The biggest problem with online dating...actually the only problem...is DISHONESTY. If people were at least honest about who they were, there would be less problems.

The bottom line is, if you're going to do it, stick to people within your community. It's too easy to meet people who live hundreds of miles away. Stick to people you can see regularly. The best way to do this is use matchmaker.com and go to the special sites dedicated to your city or region.

Spend a LOT of time online getting to know them and exchanging photos. Don't discuss where you live or anything that would let them track you down. When you meet, meet in public, not at one of your houses. And treat it like a blind date even if you've been chatting online for months.