4 Lies You’ll Be Tempted To Tell, And Why Not To Tell Them

The limitless access the Internet offers to a worldwide community makes online dating one of the most convenient, affordable, and effective ways to meet your match, but the anonymity of the Web also makes it a breeding ground for dishonesty.

It's surprisingly easy for even the most genuine person, when filling out an online dating profile, to allow him- or herself to be tempted by the lack of face-to-face contact to stray from the truth in order to increase success with other members.

Do your part to make the Internet a safer, more trustworthy place by avoiding the following common online dating lies:

• Age: Lying about your age is a practice as old as dating itself, but that doesn't make it any less objectionable. You might assume that this is primarily a female vice, but studies have shown that both sexes are guilty of trying to appear younger than they really are. Lying about your age does not send the attractive message "I am mature and confident" - it sends the off-putting message "I'm completely uncomfortable with who I am and where I am in my life."

• Appearance: There are countless horror stories of people who meet online dates in person for the first time only to discover that they look nothing like the photos or physical description in their profile. Never upload pictures that are not actually you, photos that are so old that they do not accurately represent you anymore, or pictures that have been retouched or otherwise manipulated. You might be able to get away with it for a little while, but your lie will be exposed as soon as you take your relationship offline.

• Income and Occupation: This crime against online dating honesty is mostly committed by men who wish to appear wealthier. While it's true that women are biologically programmed to be attracted to attributes that indicate that a man is successful, high on the social ladder, and able to provide for a partner and family, it's not fair to exaggerate the truth. Your actual financial status will be revealed as soon as your dates have an opportunity to observe things like the way you dress, the events you attend, the car you drive, and the acquaintances you surround yourself with.

• Your Current Relationship Status and Desired Relationship: It is unethical to tell a potential date that you are not seeing anyone when you really are, unless you are in a consensually non-monogamous relationship with a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. You should also never lie about the kind of relationship you're interested in getting into. For instance, don't advertise that you're hoping to find a long-term relationship when you're really only looking for casual hookups.

Trust is an essential feature of a good relationship. A relationship that begins with apologies for misrepresenting yourself and attempts to convince your date that you are not a generally deceitful person is already a failure, no matter how good of a catch you might actually be.