Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to remember that you’re still dealing with other people.
Just because you’re behind a screen doesn’t mean you can be rude! In this article, we’ll discuss some basic online dating etiquette that will help make your experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Make Sure to Message First
One of the cardinal rules of online dating is never to send unsolicited messages. This goes for men and women! If you receive a communication from someone you’re not interested in, don’t reply with something rude. Be polite or ignore them altogether.
It’s not only rude but also makes it more likely that they’ll message other people and potentially start a conversation you don’t want to be part of.
If interested in someone, take the initiative and send them a message. It shows that you’re interested and willing to put yourself out there. Plus, it’s a great way to start a conversation.
Keep Things Lighthearted
Online dating can be tricky because it’s hard to tell if someone is being sarcastic or not. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and assume other members are being serious. It’s always better to be too formal than too casual.
When in doubt, keep things lighthearted and fun. Avoid talking about controversial topics or anything that might make someone uncomfortable. Remember, you’re just trying to get to know someone at this point, so there’s no need to dive into deep conversations immediately.
Also, try to avoid using acronyms or abbreviations in your messages. Not everyone will understand what you’re saying, which can come across as lazy or uninterested.
Offer Compliments and Ask Questions
Everyone loves a compliment, so if you find something you like about someone’s profile, be sure to let them know. It’ll make them feel good and could even help start a conversation. Just be genuine and honest with your compliments.
Just be sure not to ask too many questions at a time. No one likes feeling like they’re being interrogated.
Be Respectful
This should go without saying, but being respectful when talking to someone online is essential. This means no name-calling, derogatory comments, or anything else that might be considered offensive.
Don’t say it online if you wouldn’t say it in person. It’s as simple as that.
Respecting someone also means not trying to pressure them into doing something they’re uncomfortable with, like meeting up before they’re ready or sending them personal information.
Everyone has different boundaries, so ensure you respect the person you’re talking to by not pushing theirs.
Take Your Time
There’s no need to rush things when you’re first getting to know someone. Take your time and get to know them before deciding whether you want to meet up in person.
Getting to know someone takes time, so don’t try to do it all in one conversation. If you feel like you’re hitting it off, that’s great! But there’s no need to force things. Let the relationship develop naturally, and see where it goes. There’s no rush.
Tell the Truth
This should go without saying, but honesty is important when creating your profile and talking to people online. Don’t lie about your age, height, weight, job, or anything else.
It’s not only misleading, but it can also be really hurtful when you meet up in person, and they realize you’ve been lying the whole time. Just be yourself and be honest from the start. It’ll save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Don’t Overshare
When first getting to know someone, it’s crucial to keep things relatively surface-level. You don’t need to share your entire life story or deepest, darkest secrets right away.
Oversharing can be a major turnoff and could make the other person feel like they can’t trust you. It’s best to wait until you’ve built a little rapport before sharing too much.
Of course, you also don’t want to seem like you’re hiding anything from the person you’re talking to. So if they ask you a personal question, feel free to answer it. Just don’t go overboard with the details.
Keep the Conversation Clean
This goes hand-in-hand with being respectful. No one wants to deal with offensive language, so it’s best to keep things clean. This doesn’t mean you need to censor yourself entirely, but just be mindful of your words and how they might be interpreted.
It’s also important to avoid talking about sensitive topics like religion or politics, especially if you don’t know the person well. These topics can be controversial and cause arguments, so it’s best to steer clear of them early on.
Don’t Act Entitled
Just because you’re talking to someone online doesn’t mean they owe you anything. Don’t demand their time or attention or get angry if they don’t respond immediately.
Of course, if you’ve been talking to someone for a while and they suddenly stop responding, that’s a different story.
If you think there’s something wrong, feel free to reach out and ask if everything is okay. But otherwise, just give your prospective match some space.
Final Words
Online dating can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to remember that you should follow some online dating etiquette rules. By following these simple tips, you can make sure you have a positive and respectful experience.
