Hi,
There are boards out there that are associated with various religions that can help weed out some of the oddball posters/trolls. As always it pays to be careful.
Please be honest with your postings but don't divulge personal information too freely on the boards. The information stays there for anyone to see. Better boards allow you to exchange private emails anonymously until you are ready to communicate directly.
I've met a few of the women I've communicated with, but no "sparks". I've kept in touch with another via email for 5 years now w/o meeting.
There are so many obstacles to developing a relationship on the web:
- It would appear that many people respond without bothering to read interests in a life partner. Major life style differences i.e shopper/couch potato vs active don't jive. I'm looking for someone to stay active with tennis/biking whatever so we can both stay healthier/happier longer. Frustrating to get responses from people that don't profess to anything more athletic than shopping & spectator sports. Yes, I know men and women often have interests that appeal more to their own sex, but it takes two.
- It is impossible to encapsulate who you are into a short paragraph or two because we are complex creatures. Again, be honest in what you say here.
- Many online communities especially special interest, have a limited number of "possibilities" out there to match with.
- Too many people stretch reality expressing the person they would like to be, rather than the way the really behave in the world. Others just blatantly lie of course.
- Always the question as to posting your picture. Are you afraid people you know will discover you are looking? Face it, looks aren't everything, but you have to meet sometime. I'd much rather be skipped over sooner than continue a long time & be dumped based on looks. When you post a picture, please make it a recent one, not 10 years old.
- You don't have the physical part of the relationship. I'm not just referring to sex here. People have a need to touch & be touched. Long distance hugs aren't too fulfilling. In some ways, this is better, because you can iron out basic issues without getting attached by the physical relationship.
- The anonymity of the web can free discussions if you are honest or make it easy to hide your misdeeds if you are not. This "double edged sword" can cut either way.
- Neither sex is immune from lies and distortions in their postings. Please be as honest about yourself as possible. The truth will be uncovered sometime.
- Board profiles often give you a limited list of body types. What is "stocky", "full Figured", "slim/athletic" etc? Some even provide "A few extra pounts". Is that 10 or 50?
- What's in a name? Please give some thought to your screen name. Does it say the wrong thing about you?
I've heard of a number of success stories in the board I "mingle" on. Sadly not everyone will be "successful" in their quest for a great relationship. I prefer to stay optimistic and try to stay open to the possibilities.
Good luck, their are a lot of good people out there too!
