The Internet has become the place for eligible bachelors and bachelorettes to find romance and, looking for love, they are swarming through cyberspace. That means many individuals have begun relationships online with people they have not met and know little about.
The computer affords the opportunity to communicate not only with people who are conveniently close by, but also with those who might be thousands of miles away on another continent.
So what happens when Taneka from Nassau meets her “soulmate” Franklin in a chat room, only to find out that he’s from Germany? Well, for one thing, they both spend an awful lot of time learning about immigration.
Franklin, who lives in Germany, and Taneka, a native Bahamian, have been “dating” for 14 months, but went out with each other only three times.
“Our relationship seems to go slower than others, but it’s all true and wonderful. I heard of people having penpals online, and that’s all I wanted. I wanted to correspond with someone from another country because that would make it all the more interesting. I wasn’t sure how to go about finding one so I just applied on the singles websites,” Franklin said.
There are hundreds of interrelationship web sites available, where you can meet the love of your life, sites that are changing the face of romance. Indications are that each day, more and more people are turning to the Internet for friendship, love and companionship.
“We found out we had a lot in common and things progressed from there. After about two months of chatting over the Net and talking on the phone, we made plans to meet. We both wanted to visit each other’s country but it was too expensive for her to visit me, so I made plans to go to her. She is from Nassau but naturally she was skeptical about me knowing where she lived, so we spent nine days in Harbour Island and mainland Eleuthera. It was special because we both got to explore and learn more about the island and each other.”
Taneka spoke up. “We learn more about each other every day. We don’t get to see each other often because of our conflicting schedules and finances. The time we spend talking helps us to build the foundation for a stable and happy relationship”
Franklin is a journalist and Taneka works for the Ministry of Tourism.
Will wedding bells be ringing in the near future?
Franklin smiled as Taneka responded.
“Although I am falling in love with Franklin, I feel it is always important to know what you are getting into before you invest your heart, money, or your life. If we met in any other circumstances things would be different, but for now we just have to move slow.”
With so many people communicating via the Net and deciding to date virtual strangers, it is important to be safe and be smart. Common sense can go a long way to keeping them safe.
Whether you decide to correspond with members on-line or meet off-line, it is advised that you use sound judgment and be responsible for your conduct, since in both the virtual and real worlds common sense is the best safety tool.
The beauty of meeting and relating on-line is that you can gradually collect information and then make a choice about pursuing the relationship in the off-line world.
Moreover, you are never obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level of on-line intimacy. And even if you do decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind.
It’s possible that your decision to keep the relationship anonymous may be based on a hunch that you can’t logically explain. In such instances, it is advised to go with your gut instincts even when they can’t be logically explained.
When you make the choice to meet off-line, it is advisable to tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date’s name and telephone number with that person. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home.
Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time when many people are present, and when the date is over, leave on your own as well.
While liars, cheaters and impostors certainly manipulate honesty on the Web, you’ll also find them in nightclubs, among the membership ranks of off-line dating services, at cocktail parties, and occasionally sitting next to you in the movies. Use the same kind of common sense and rules that you would use in any type of dating relationship.
By Denise Major, The Nassau Guardian
