Dating Singles In The Text-Messenger Era

Oh for the good old days, when courting was so much simpler! You could meet in person or send a letter - that's all! As opposed to dating in the 21st century, where you practically need to gear up like a hunter venturing into the Outback. Dating these days is much faster-paced, and social communication has evolved to completely new spheres.

Phones_ We've all dealt with phones before, but now that phones are mobile you can expect to get hold of someone at any time and under any circumstances. Jealous lovers exploit these, treating the phone as an electronic leash to check up on their partner constantly. For phoning your date, take into account that no matter how glad they are to hear from you, they may have to pay attention to their job or drive a car sometimes. For answering, consider that you can let that call go to voicemail. Sometimes that's better than having to make an on-the-spot decision about your next date while you're preoccupied at the moment.

Email_ The closest thing to written letters we use any more. The nice thing with emails is that they can be answered at leisure. Save the ones you receive from your lover - they'll make great sentimental reading years down the road. For sending, take your time and compose something fun. Be spicy and flirty, or compose a beautiful poem, or send an e-card. Watch out for snoopers and privacy lapses - some very important people have been fired over the discovery of emails from relationships which should have been kept private.

Text_ Text messaging or SMS is the new standard. If you use Twitter, beware of saying anything you wouldn't want to be made public, because you can't delete Twitter. Instant messenger programs like ICQ and Yahoo Messenger also save an archive of past messages. More than one cheating spouse has been caught this way. As for your partner, be aware that text messages are always brief and intended to be a limited media. It's easy to say something that gets taken the wrong way!

Webcams_ Possibly the most fun invention in online dating! With a webcam, you and your partner can put on a show for each other, or just get a chance to see that wonderful face when you can't be there in person. The younger generation have turned to using webcams for virtual sex - there's no safer sex than that! Just be aware when your webcam is on and off - sometimes its a drawback if your partner becomes a 'Big Brother' watching your every move.

Websites_ Need we say here that your online personals ad is the cornerstone of your online dating experience? Well, we've said it anyway! Your online dating profile is your 'resume' for prospective partners. Tie it in with your accounts on social networks like Facebook and MySpace, and you have a network of pages about you and everything going on in your world. By the way, just because you have a partner doesn't mean you have to take your account down! You can keep it there to stay in touch with friends, and just mark it as 'not looking' for now. The biggest thing you should concern yourself with is not letting your boss at work or other busy-bodies know about it.