With online dating you should start off by taking things slow. Start by communicating through e-mail only, and watch for any inconsistencies from the online single you are corresponding with. Watch for any weird and unusual behavior and be cautious if the other person seems "too perfect" to be true. Remember that a person can portray themselves as someone they are not. That is true for any form of internet chat or e-mailing, not just online personals. Always trust your gut feelings about someone and if something doesn't feel right, move on to someone else. Always take the side of caution is good advice.

Tip: Ask the person a question you have asked before to see if you get the same answer.

Online dating networks give their singles anonymity. You should protect your identity in the initial e-mails. Never give out your surname, address, or your permanent e-mail. Don't tell the person where you work either; just keep things in general terms for the first while when you are corresponding. Also, do not accept any gift packages unless you can use a post office box that won't reveal your personal address. There is absolutely no rush in giving out your personal information so never let any one pressure you to give out this info. Take lots of time to become comfortable with another member before you take it to the next step. Ask lots of questions and make sure you are very comfortable with the answers. Since there are millions of singles on the network, you can afford to be very selective.

It's all about using common sense with online personals, so while exchanging e-mails just be on the look out for any red flags. It takes time to build trust and to know if a person is sincere. If you think that they are lying about anything or they don't seem sincere, just move on to someone else.

Request more pics of the person you are corresponding with. Ideally, pictures in different settings. This will reveal more about their daily life. Watch for pictures that seem very out-dated. If they seem old, ask for more current pictures. If they say they don't have current pictures, ask yourself why? Are they forty and trying to create an image of thirty?

Tip: If you catch them lying to you once, end it right there.

The next step is talking on the phone and you must be totally comfortable with this person before doing that. Ideally, you do the calling and that way your information is still protected. Use a cell phone or a calling card at a pay phone, and that way your home number is protected. It is easy to find out someone's address by doing a reverse search on a home phone number. Other singles should understand this and not be offended. Talking on the phone will give you a better feel for their personality and you will get to know more about them. Once again, if anything makes you feel uncomfortable or unsure about your new friend, just walk away from it. There should be no pressure at all. Remember to trust your instincts.

Tip: Be leery of someone who has been a member for an "extremely" long period of time. How come?

If you feel completely comfortable and safe with this member and decide to meet in person, here is some common sense advice. Pick a very public place that is neutral to both of you. A coffee shop is a great place for a first date and it gives you an ideal setting for good conversation. Make it for early afternoon if you can and this gives you time to have the date completed before dusk. Always keep a friend in the loop and let them know where you are going, what time, and whom you are meeting. Give them the contact information of the person you are meeting as well. Be independent to get there on your own, and to leave on your own. Never accept a ride home. Don't ever leave your drink unattended because it is possible that someone could put a drug in it.

Keep asking lots of questions on your date so you can get to know more about this person. Keep gathering info about this person and put it together with all that you have learned leading up to this point. No matter how many times you have e-mailed, spoke on the phone, or have instant messaged each other - you are still just getting to know this person. If you meet a member that is completely different from how they portrayed themselves, just leave. You can even make up a reason to excuse yourself for the moment and leave without saying goodbye, you are not obligated to stay or give any explanations. Always put your safety first.

From here on just keep using common sense like you would do in off-line dating. Use caution and keep your safety in mind at all times. Take your time and only move forward when things feel right. Online dating can also attract the same type of people you would meet in the real world. This world is full of liars, posers, and cheaters. This world is also filled with nice people, kind people, and sincere people so use good judgment and you will meet them.

All this is just common sense advice for online dating and we hope it doesn't scare you away. Online dating advice can be used in real-life dating as well. There are hundreds of thousands of real nice people in the singles network and there are people that you would want to know better. Just use your safety policies along the way and it will help you to find the right singles for a relationship.

If you want to read much more dating advice articles or read advice posts from current members, you can visit the free FriendFinder Magazine pages. They contain free dating articles and free online dating tips to give you a more pleasant and safe experience. It is full of many dating resources and advice from professionals, as well as members who share their online experiences by posting comments and telling their online dating stories.