Tips

Tip # 1
It is perfectly fine to reveal your first name in the early stages of your correspondence with an internet stranger. Beyond that, however, you need to use caution. Do you think it is prudent to tell someone who you don't know from Adam (or Eve!) your last name, your home address, your work address or your telephone number? The correct answer is NO. Until you feel extremely comfortable with the other person, it is best to use the nick name designed for that purpose.

Tip # 2
Honesty is still the best policy. Let's face it, when you are typing away from a distance, it is easy to mislead, or lie about yourself. Sooner or later the truth will come out. Honesty breeds honesty. Stick to the truth and chances are the other person will follow suit.

Tip # 3
Have you ever spoken to a business contact on the phone and then when you met them in person they looked entirely different from the way you had pictured them? Exchanging a current photo (not the one taken at the beach 20 years ago when you were young, skinny and cute!) is a good way to determine whether you are attracted to the other person.

Tip # 4
It is not a smart idea to be alone with someone you have just met. When arranging your first (or even second or third) meeting with a person, make it clear that you intend to meet in a public place and arrange all transportation on your own. It is also wise to advise a friend or relative where you will be. Do not let anyone pressure you into doing anything you are not comfortable doing. Err on the side of caution and all will be well!  Check into our Events listing for opportunities to meet others in non-threatening environments.

Advice:

There are many match-up sites and dating sites. At A Fine Match we go a few steps farther than most since we offer tools that you can use to learn about yourself and your past relationship choices. Unfortunately for most of us our past determines our future so having this understanding can go a long way toward helping you to NOT repeat past choices that were not in your best interest. Once you have that understanding about yourself you can define the kind of relationship you really want and then use our other wealth of tools to make your search fruitful and enjoyable.

As people search for love or the perfect relationship there are some warning signs they should train themselves to watch for. The reality is that most people choose relationships from one of four places:

1. The person is polite and nice…
All people are on good behavior during the early stages of relationships. It’s often difficult to tell who the real person is during this time so making firm decisions about compatibility is dangerous.

2. They like us and we like them...
It is definitely important to like the person you are in a relationship with, or considering to be in a relationship with, but in the long run it is going to require more than just liking to get to the intimacy most of us crave.

3. They seem to have it together…
How much do you really know about them? Assuming they have the characteristics you desire based upon their appearance of material, physical or spiritual wealth and abilities can be very misleading. Many times these are not intentional attempts to mislead they are just manifestations of the persona the person would like to believe they emulate.

4. The sex is good…
Great start! Now, how do you make it last?

To learn more about this, and so much more beyond this, use the great tools A Fine Match puts at your fingertips.

Cheers!
Jackie Fine
Relationship Educator