My friend Emily has fallen in cyberlove. In the course of two hours, communicating through email and IM with Mr. Right, she has experienced the joys and sorrows of a full on relationship. First, they started with flirty chatting and more of the getting to know you stuff they hadn't yet covered. Honeymoon Central. This was soon followed by a misunderstanding and squabble, which resulted in a major sign-off huff (with Em simultaneously swearing off men and Googling for mail order groom services). And, finally, the online apology and make-up.
Although she hasn't met him, she feels an intense connection, and they have oodles to talk about. She wonders if she is crazy. Sounds like an interesting guy, I said, send me his username so I can look at a pic and his profile. OK, she replies, but don't be alarmed by the gas masks.
Gas masks, eh?
The online dating scene is an interesting monster. I'm the first to admit that, once you're out of school and wrapped up in establishing your own life, meeting new people can be a challenge. However, finding a match on the internet highway of love is no afternoon curled up with When Harry Met Sally either. Reading a potential date's profile is an information exchange equivalent to a chat during a dinner for two, which can leave you awkward and with nothing to talk about on an actual first date. Or, if you get too comfortable exchanging intimate details over email, you may hit a slump and find it increasingly difficult to take the relationship to the next level. You have more to lose if you actually (gasp) meet the person and discover no chemistry. Your blossoming attraction could be doomed to a slow and pitiful death in cyberland.
This is why I've encouraged Emily to meet this guy and meet him as soon as possible. Who needs the drama of tonight unless she's 100% sure she's interested in sleeping with the guy?
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