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   Dating Advice

Honesty in Online Dating

When people are online, they can say whatever they want, and you really have no way to know upfront if they're being, well, up front. Even photos can be deceiving, as people can post old photos, other people's photos, or retouched ones. People can lie about their ages, marital status, what they seek, professional status, and numerous other things. That's why it's important to use common sense and take your time, have some conversations, and be slow to give out personal contact information.

It's also why it's important that you be honest. Call it karma or what you will, but a relationship that starts on a dishonest basis is never headed the right way, no matter what the rationale for the original lie. "But I feel so much younger than my age!" doesn't cut it. If you're a "young 50," tell the the truth and take your chances; don't try to pass for 40. Otherwise, you will be dropped when your deception is found out, because people who are lied to feel taken for a fool.

When you're conversing online, look for incongruities. The "self-employed" person who's never available during 9-5 hours? The "single" person who's never around after 6 pm? The "slender" person who lives nearby, but offers endless excuses not to meet in person? Not to be cynical, but if something strikes you as strange, well, maybe something is strange. You don't have to be overly suspicious, but keep your B.S. detector set to "on," and you should be fine.

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