Internet dating is a great way to meet singles, but it does have a few types of people you should watch out for.
While the majority of singles active with online dating simply want to meet someone special, there are a few others that fall on the periphery of “normal.” See if any of these describe one of your recent dates:
The One Who Insists Too Much
- Nickname: The Pusher
- You’ll know them by: The prickly way they seem to make you feel.
- Things you’ll hear them say: “Forget this blind email system, what is your phone number?”
The Pusher insists you meet them at a place they choose. They insist on the time you should arrive and on how fast the relationship should proceed. They will want you to meet them in person sooner than you’d like, or give up personal information you’re not ready to divulge yet (like your last name or telephone number.) They will take personal offense to the fact you don’t immediately trust them. The Pusher will make you feel uncomfortable in every step of the process. All the more reason you should run from them. Fast.
The One Who Complains About the Opposite Sex
- Nickname: Whiner
- You’ll know them by: How quickly it takes you to look at your watch when you meet them.
- Things you’ll hear them say: “Nice guys don’t exist” or “Women are just game players.”
No doubt they’ve had their fair share of bad experiences (haven’t we all!) but Whiners will turn their previous relationship problems into generalizations about dating and the opposite sex. They might stave off dating for a while, but eventually they’ll return and bore everyone they meet with their tales of woe. They don’t see their dates as individuals, but rather, as an adversarial group. If you happen upon one of these types get out while the getting is good.
The One Addicted To Internet Dating
- Nickname: Online Aficionado
- You’ll know them by: Their vast knowledge of every single online dating site known to man.
- Things you’ll hear them say: “I just switched sites again because there were no good people on the other five I’ve tried.”
Beware of the folks that tell you they have been on the system for five years or more, especially if they use this as a badge of honor. These types get a high from meeting someone new that wears off when they get to know you. It’s not that they won’t date you, but they will always have an eye out for “fresh meat” on the system. While most Internet daters join one or two sites to vary the people they meet, Online Aficionados will join several different systems and go back and forth until they’ve met or emailed every conceivable person with a profile. They’ll “run out” of people on one site, and move on to the next.
The One Who Thinks You’re Instantly “The One”
- Nickname: Nuptials Nut
- You’ll know them by: The way they’ll make you suddenly consider joining a convent.
- Things you’ll hear them say: “I can’t wait to tell our grandchildren we met on the Internet!”
Nuptials Nuts are the Online Aficionado’s polar opposite when it comes to Internet dating. These are well-meaning folks. They, like most of us, just want to meet someone special that they can share their life with. Unlike most of us, however, they want to get serious now and with pretty much anybody that agrees to join them. The Nuptials Nut will tell you they feel sparks the first time you meet them for coffee. They’ll feel its kismet that you both used to drive blue cars, or have the letter “L” in your name. While the Online Aficionado just wants someone to date, the Nuptials Nut just wants someone (anyone) to love.
The Slippery One
- Nickname: Cagey Creep
- You'll know them by: The fact that you’ve dated them for a year and still don’t know their last name.
- Things you’ll hear them say: “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But no, you can’t have my home phone number. Call my cell if you need me.”
Cagey Creeps everywhere leapt for joy the minute Internet dating became popular. Why? They find the online world a convenient way to cheat. They are the other side of the Pusher, someone that will never give out their personal information, even if it’s clear you are both an item. It’s not about safety in this case. These folks just have something to hide. They’re either married or seeing someone. If you are dating someone for a while and only have their cell phone number, have never seen their house, and don’t know their last name or anything about their life, you might need to find out if your latest love is really just a Cagey Creep.
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