Online dating is much like social networking, but with a romantic twist. Professional connections and even shared interest take a back seat as emphasis shifts gradually toward personal friendships, budding romance and eventually more long-lasting relationships. The convenient and safe connection of ThaiLoveDate.com allows you to break the ice with someone without meeting in person initially. Traditional meeting places and methods have their own downsides since clubs, bars, or parties may not attract the type of person you want to meet, and workplace romances have their own pitfalls and hazards.

As a member of ThaiLoveDate.com you can start to look for someone who shares your interests, shares the same likes and dislikes, has similar hobbies, and likes to go to the same places you enjoy visiting. By reviewing their webpage on ThaiLoveDate.com you can learn more about them, see what they look like, engage them in conversation, and if the two of you hit it off, contact them to pick a place and time for that all-important first date.

Don’t reveal your important personal information at first. By using an anonymous online name you can avoid posting personal information in the beginning, information that you don’t want available to persons who might use it in the wrong ways. We recommend you set up unique free email and IM (instant messaging) accounts if possible, using services such as Hotmail or Google. This allows you to keep your real identity confidential as you get to know and trust your new online friends.

Report any suspicious activity. ThaiLoveDate.com maintains a membership of serious clients so please report an unusual activity immediately. We will take action to prevent fake or undesirable members from using our website and have policies designed to protect our members from unscrupulous people. If anything seems out of place, please report it.

Ask for recent photographs. Someone can easily find a single photograph, but it is more difficult to fake current photographs of recent events in one’s home town. Asking for a couple more photos will help you determine if the person has a genuine interest in friendship.

Communicate. By sending email or IMs, popping open the webcam or using voice chat you should quickly get a feel for the person you are interested in. The best sites, like ThaiLoveDate.com will allow you to talk, chat, and contact within the context of their private website which allows you to avoid giving out any personal information or revealing your location to strangers immediately.

One key to maintaining your privacy is not revealing your real identity immediately. Remember to keep your other online profiles on other websites, your personal email, and, your location information secret at first. For other social networking sites you will want to adjust your privacy settings so people you don’t know can’t seek out information about you which they might use to get you to trust them. Reveal only what you want to reveal, but be careful at first to get to know someone before opening your life and location to them.

As the old saying goes, “There’s a sucker born every minute” and there will always be people who are dishonest anywhere in life. Never respond to requests for money with money. Some people live completely by tricking others into sending them money and you should keep this in mind. Beware of anyone who starts seeking sympathy in the form of money. Build an online relationship, but until you’ve had a chance to develop a friendship in person and had a chance to really know the person, we recommend you do not give cash to anyone!

Avoid giving out your home phone number immediately. For your initial contact, use a cell phone instead that can’t traced to your home. Posting your home phone number with your contact details on the website for anyone to see may reveal your location to people who you don’t want to meet.

Let love grow slowly. People who are unscrupulous will move on if you don’t react quickly. Get to know your friends first by allowing time to pass, maybe a few months or more between the time you first make contact and actually having a date. Patience will build trust. Don’t let someone hurry you into a relationship that both you and they may not ready for; set your own goals, take it at your own pace, and let the friendship develop before meeting for the first time.

Public locations are best for the first meeting. Meet in a public place where you have others around for the first few dates to allow you to get to know your new friend without pressure. One good idea? Keep a friend’s phone number on hand and use it at the first sign of any problems.

Trust your intuition. If something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. If you feel something might be wrong, you are probably right; walk away and don’t let the other person follow you to your car, home, or other location. If problems do arise, stay in a public location with other people around until help arrives.

Bring a friend on the first date. Tell your date you wanted the friend to meet your new date. Arrange with your friend beforehand to be available if you need them, giving you an excuse to leave. Have your friend plan to meet you again at a specific time after the date. This gives you a reason to leave as well as allows others to know if you have any problems. By planning with your friend ahead of time, you can give a private signal to your friend, if needed, telling the friend you want him or her to not leave you alone with the person you just met.

If you gain confidence and don’t need a friend to go with you, should still let someone know what you plan to do, where you are going, who your new date is (their name, address, and phone number) and when you expect to be back.

Importantly, you should never go home on your first several dates. Don’t invite your new friend to your house or do not accept a ride anywhere. Maintain your independence until you’ve had time to build trust.

You are your own best friend. Trust your gut feeling. People give out unspoken signals so if someone seems to be untrustworthy, they may have something they are hiding. Don't think you’re imagining things or being silly. If you feel uncomfortable, there is probably an underlying reason, so don't give your new friend personal information or your home location or phone number and don't set up a second date. It may be easier to cancel a second date if the person insists. Don’t let anyone feel like you have to date them a second time; if you have problems, report them, but don’t show up for a second date.