Online dating tends to polarise opinion; some people readily accept it as the most convenient way of dating, but others still can’t get their head around the concept of searching for romance online. It’s considered tricky by many, but experts say that once you get the hang of it, it’s actually quite fun. You have to be open minded, have fun with it, and don’t take it too seriously. So, here’s what you should know about etiquette for online dating.
How long do I wait?
One of the first rules is to give someone time to respond. Who knows, they may be in a meeting, preparing dinner, or out with friends. There are many reasons why you might not get an immediate response to that initial message you send. Studies have shown that waiting a few hours before sending a second message like ‘I guess you’re too busy’ or ‘I guess you’re not interested’ can increase the likelihood of you getting a favourable response by up to 34%.
How quickly should I respond?
If a person doesn’t send a response within 24 hours, this usually indicates that they’re not interested. In another study, about 94% of people stated that if they are interested they make it a point to respond within a day. You don’t always need to respond immediately, but don’t leave it too long, or it might be interpreted as non-interest.
Make use of social media before setting up a date
In online dating, you never really know who you’re talking to until you’ve been chatting to them for a while. Even then, it can be hard to really get to know someone just by chatting online. But before you arrange a date, make use of social media. Ask the person if they’re willing to be friends on Facebook or connect on Instagram.
Connecting on social media has another purpose as well: what if the person has three ex-wives or isn’t really working for a bank? By getting to know them on social media, you can do some additional (and often important) research. You can check out what they’re interested in, if they’re sporty, flamboyant and outgoing, etc. You can also establish if you have any common interests, such as music, movies, or playing online casino games for fun.
How soon should I arrange an actual date?
It really depends on you and the person you’re speaking with; a common timeline for a face-to-face meeting is from three days to three weeks. Using this as a guide can help save you time and effort, because what if the person isn’t really keen on going on an actual date, but would rather just flirt with you online?
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