Screening your Online Dates

You've been communicating for weeks with a guy you met online. According to his profile and email and phone conversations, he seems great, and you're excited to meet him in person. Within a few minutes of face-to-face interaction however, it's clear that you aren't a match.

This scenario happens more often than we'd like. So what can you do to better prepare yourself for your first in-person meeting so it doesn't end in disappointment? Here are some tips.

Do your research. You've read his profile and you've exchanged flirtatious emails and phone conversations. You may feel that you know enough about him, but chances are, you don't. Do a Google search. If you have an iPhone or Android, download an app like Date Check, which lets you know if he has a criminal or sex offender record. It may sound extreme, but with online dating, we are meeting strangers outside of our trusted network of friends and family so it's necessary to take extra precautions. With so much information at our fingertips, there's no excuse not to use it for dating.

Utilize social networking sites. These days, most people seem to have a Facebook page, a Twitter page, or a LinkedIn account. Remember, you can look someone up on Facebook by an email address, so you know you have the right person. What kind of photos do they post? What messages do friends leave on their walls? What is their relationship status? Social networking sites provide information and insight that we likely aren't able to get through emails and phone calls.

Set up an in-person meeting sooner rather than later. If you put off meeting in person but communicate often via email, instant messages, and phone conversations, you can build up a false sense of intimacy. Better to cut to the chase to see if you click in real life, so set a date to meet for coffee next time you find yourself excited about a virtual guy or girl.

Be realistic. Falling head over heels for someone you've never met but seems great online is a recipe for disappointment. You don't know if there's chemistry until you meet in person. Approach the situation for what it is: getting to know someone for the first time...don't make assumptions, even if your online exchanges seem more intimate.