Ok, I have gone out with several girls from the internet/phone before and have had no success in a LTR. Here are some things I have picked up along the way..
Don't get too close too fast
No matter how comfortable it may seem online, you cannot replicate what you would have if you were face to face. Period. Even with the phone, it lacks so much interaction. Do not become too attached to a girl or let her become too attached to you, or you could go through hell because you've become too attached too soon.
The Meeting
The meeting WILL be awkward, even if you have spent the last 2 months talking on the phone every night, and sent numerous ICQ/MSN messages. This will go away after a little bit of ice breaking, but it is almost starting over fresh in a way, another reason NOT to get too serious before you meet. Please heed this warning. Also, make it a rule of thumb to meet any girl online within a month of talking to her - any more just drags out the inevitable and the magic is lost.
Pictures
Ok. Everyone and their dog has a webcam now, and the things are so easy to setup you have to be a real idiot not to figure it out. Be wary if a girl will not give you a pic beforehand, this usually means she's bunk. ALSO, please remember that a girl may appear to have a real wicked face, but if you don't see the rest of the body - you DONT know what you're getting into! Asking her to describe her weight/height is ESSENTIAL and shouldn't be passed up.
Don't be played
Face it, we're guys. We're always going to have a nice backup in case something doesn't work out. Same thing applies online, always have at least 5+ girls on the go - if a few don't work out, no big deal =) If things are going really well with a girl and you decide to meet, but you KEEP getting blown off when it comes time to meet - put her on ignore for a while, if she's really interested in you she will attempt to get in touch with you - if not she's just a playette - and YES they DO exist on the net, and they can be just as deceptive.
Have Fun
Keep it simple, keep it light.. laughter.. same things that apply in real life apply online. Don't get too involved and too intense.
Anyways, I just broke up with a girl that I met online (I did the dumping) and I seriously doubt if a LTR can exist from meeting online, but I would love to hear any success stories =)
By the way, the best success I found with meeting girls online was joining a local message board devoted to some way of life. I was into Raves/Rave Culture for a while, and I found a few local boards where I met a LOT of people - and it's usually more of a comfortable atmosphere, and the success rate is much higher than marketing yourself on one of those date websites. If you're into martial arts, check out some martial art mb's. If your into clubbing, there's lots of local mb's dedicated to the night scene. Etc, so on =)
If I'm missing anything let me know, I'd love to here some more advice from people who have been there, done that =)
Don't get too close too fast
No matter how comfortable it may seem online, you cannot replicate what you would have if you were face to face. Period. Even with the phone, it lacks so much interaction. Do not become too attached to a girl or let her become too attached to you, or you could go through hell because you've become too attached too soon.
The Meeting
The meeting WILL be awkward, even if you have spent the last 2 months talking on the phone every night, and sent numerous ICQ/MSN messages. This will go away after a little bit of ice breaking, but it is almost starting over fresh in a way, another reason NOT to get too serious before you meet. Please heed this warning. Also, make it a rule of thumb to meet any girl online within a month of talking to her - any more just drags out the inevitable and the magic is lost.
Pictures
Ok. Everyone and their dog has a webcam now, and the things are so easy to setup you have to be a real idiot not to figure it out. Be wary if a girl will not give you a pic beforehand, this usually means she's bunk. ALSO, please remember that a girl may appear to have a real wicked face, but if you don't see the rest of the body - you DONT know what you're getting into! Asking her to describe her weight/height is ESSENTIAL and shouldn't be passed up.
Don't be played
Face it, we're guys. We're always going to have a nice backup in case something doesn't work out. Same thing applies online, always have at least 5+ girls on the go - if a few don't work out, no big deal =) If things are going really well with a girl and you decide to meet, but you KEEP getting blown off when it comes time to meet - put her on ignore for a while, if she's really interested in you she will attempt to get in touch with you - if not she's just a playette - and YES they DO exist on the net, and they can be just as deceptive.
Have Fun
Keep it simple, keep it light.. laughter.. same things that apply in real life apply online. Don't get too involved and too intense.
Anyways, I just broke up with a girl that I met online (I did the dumping) and I seriously doubt if a LTR can exist from meeting online, but I would love to hear any success stories =)
By the way, the best success I found with meeting girls online was joining a local message board devoted to some way of life. I was into Raves/Rave Culture for a while, and I found a few local boards where I met a LOT of people - and it's usually more of a comfortable atmosphere, and the success rate is much higher than marketing yourself on one of those date websites. If you're into martial arts, check out some martial art mb's. If your into clubbing, there's lots of local mb's dedicated to the night scene. Etc, so on =)
If I'm missing anything let me know, I'd love to here some more advice from people who have been there, done that =)