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The New ERA • Perspectives • A P.I.E.C.E. of Advice for Avoiding Disappointment

A P.I.E.C.E. of Advice for Avoiding Disappointment

~ Cerissa ~

So many people say that, while they’ve had no real horrific experiences with meeting online acquaintances, they have been very disappointed. Here are some simple tips for avoiding the worst of it. Common sense? As Mark Twain lamented, there is nothing so rare!

P is for "Planning."
If you are going to meet someone else in their home town, make a hotel reservation. If you’re in your own home court, plan activities to keep the two of you busy. If things don’t "click" on the first real meeting, how much more comfortable to be able to retire to separate places and meet each other for a museum trip the next day, then to be closeted in the same quarters with nothing much to do!

I is for "Intentions."
Quaint as is sounds, find out what the other person’s intentions are early on. If he is seeking a monogamous union and she is just after a few weekends of fun, someone is going to wind up feeling cheated.

E is for "Expectations."
Don’t let them get too high. Ladies, he is probably not going to sweep you onto his white stallion to ride off and live happily ever after. At least not on the first date! Gents, do you really think that the next Miss Universe is waiting on line to write to you? If you keep your expectations reasonable, you are not leaving yourself open to be very disappointed.

C is for "Chat Rooms."
Avoid ‘em. With apologies to the few honest people who hang out in these places, I’d guess-timate that at least 80% of the lies on the internet are told in real-time chat. Many chat room denizens are only there for an evening’s entertainment, and don’t expect to hear from each other again, so lies come very easily. Starts with the name and clothing, then often moves on to height, weight, even marital status. You’re as likely to find the Virgin Mary in The Swingin' Singles Lounge as you are to find Ms. Right in a chat room.

E is for "Early."
That’s when you should meet. Just as soon as you are comfortable enough to trust each other. It often happens that even though both people have been perfectly honest, there is some vital element of "chemistry" missing. It’s easier to find this out before either party gets their hopes too high. I know of a couple who became "engaged" before ever meeting. At least one of them wound up really hurt when, upon meeting, the other felt no real attraction.