Online Dating for Senior Citizens: You are Online, now What?

Any pieces of information you provide could be used against you. Especially with regard to financial aspects, do not easily give your trust to a person you meet online and give him your bank account number, electronic PINs and the like. While that may seem like simple common sense, you'd be surprised at how many people do this!

You should immediately cease communicating with someone who is obsessed about obtaining your personal info. All you need to do is tell the other person you're not comfortable yet telling them about that. If they persist, stop communicating with them.

If your purpose is only to exchange ideas with another person, share your experiences and beliefs. You don't have to give details about yourself if they insist. And even if your purpose is to find a date, don't give in too quickly by telling everything about yourself. Besides, you can test a person's sincerity when they value your decisions and listen to what you say.

Talk about things you might have in common. Initially, keep these conversations toward interests and hobbies. Avoid talking specifically about children, grandchildren, etc. Be vague about jobs and locations until a trust can be established.

Remember that what you see is not always what you get when it comes to online dating services. Photos can easily be manipulated so the person you see in the photo may not resemble the person when it comes time to meet face-to-face. Sometimes people post photos taken many years ago so you see a much younger looking person than you're likely to encounter.

Words can lie, too. Someone might post the most impressive profile as a way of getting a lot of connections, but in the end fail to live up to the lifestyle that is presented in the profile. So, when pursuing the dating scene on the Internet, proceed with caution. If this method of dating does not sound like a good idea to you, then try some of the other senior dating alternatives.

Always keep your eyes open to sings of fraud, cheating or obscenity. Don't get too engrossed by sweet nothings or mesmerized by good looks (as seen in the webcam or photo). Watch out if the person is able to keep their story straight and consistent. If they repeatedly inject sex into your conversations and are too demanding for private information or things that you are not at ease with talking about, end the conversation.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's perfectly normal to inquire about marital status, children, hopes, dreams, etc. If someone is uncomfortable with these questions, it's a good indication they have something to hide. Find someone who shares your common interests, life goals and family preferences. It is important to share some of the same hopes in order for a relationship to be worthwhile.

During casual conversations, look for possible warning signs of control, jealousy or tempers. If an individual seems to be extremely needy or needs to talk to you every minute, this may be a sign of possessive behavior and should be recognized early. If you notice this happening, move on and find another possible online dating match.

Don't rush. Take the time to get to know someone before you decide that you are comfortable enough to meet them. A relationship takes time to build and there is no reason to rush into anything. If you learn that someone hasn't been honest about his/her profile or other detail, end the dating potential immediately. Dishonesty is no way to begin a relationship and it makes you question anything else that he/she may be hiding.

Be yourself. Don't pretend to like something or be someone that you are not just to please the other person. If they are the right one for you, there will not be a reason to pretend.

Don't be afraid to play the field. There are hundreds of possible matches out there for you - don't limit yourself to just one. Just as long as you're being honest and having fun, it's okay to keep contacting as many people as you like until you find someone you're interested in. After all, meeting new people is what dating is all about.

Reply to anyone who contacts you whether it is to say "Yes, I'm interested" or "I can't talk to you at this time". The generally accepted practice is to respond within one week. But remember that you may be turning down the right person, so you may want to just chat a little bit and see what happens!

In e-mail communications, don't send out "form letters" to everyone. Don't make them sound like a business letter, be casual and conversational as you address something showing about them in their profile.

Do not just chat via online. An electronic chat doesn't always suffice. Do phone conversations with him or her, as these would show social and communication skills. Avoid calling at home. Try calling from a cell phone or a telephone booth. Only when you are completely comfortable should you give your home number.

Exercise caution and common sense during these communications. Don't trust too easily, but don't get obsessive and think that everyone is lying. There are some tell-tale signs that people aren't being honest with you. In fact, we think it's important to point out different things about online dating that aren't exactly positive. There are things you really need to be aware of when you begin chatting with them.