Cyber-Daters Take Tips From Miss Manners (NAPSA)—These days, people are logging on to the Web for everything from banking and business to shopping and love, and with this surge in online activity, a whole new code of manners has emerged. Etiquette seems to be particu- larly important at online matchmaking sites, where social interaction is the main draw. According to American Singles.com, one of the most popular sites, Internet dating has exploded over the past year, and with four million singles at their site alone, good manners are a must if members want to get to know their new friends in a comfortable environment. So, if you’re looking onlinefor a date, soul mate or friend, your best bet is to put your matchmaking site to good use andlisten up to what Miss Manners hasto say to avoid any cyber-faux-pas. Cyber-Dating Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts provided by AmericanSingles.com Do be honest in your profile and photos. Don’t send the same exact e-mail to everyone. Personalize your messages. Doreply to everyone. If you’re not interested, a simple “Thank you, but I’m unable to correspond at this time”will do. Don’t write people off immediately. Take a few e-mails to get to know themfirst. Dobepolite. There is a personsitting on the other endof the wires. Do use humor, but remember that it doesn’t always translate online. Set the tone with an “emoticon”: :) or 3-). Don’t say anything in an e-mail that you wouldn’t say to someone’s face. Don’t lie. Enoughsaid. Do start each e-mail with a greeting (Dear, Hi, Greetings, Whazzup?) and end with a clos- Just as you would on first date, always mind your manners when meeting others online. ing (Sincerely, Regards, Cheers, Til soon). Don’t use profanity or tell offcolor jokes. Do have reasonable expectations and take it in stride if a relationship doesn’t workout. Don’t e-mail someone’s earoff. Leave somethingfor later. Do ask questions to create open- ended conversation. Do respect the other person’s privacy. Don’t ask for personal contact information or answers to extremely personal questions right away. Don’t push anyone. If they say they don’t want to communicate with you, need more time before opening up, or are not ready to meet in person, they’re not playing hard to get. Get it? Don’t hesitate to ask someone out. This applies to guys and gals alike. Do go out with someone you like online. Start with a short date in a public place. Do senda follow-up e-mail after a date, always. Don’t string anyone along just because you don’t know how to say “no”or like the ego boost. Do contact as many people as you like until you find the right one. After all, meeting new people is whatit’s all about.
