We are romantic creatures. We are social creatures. With these two elements sharing our genetic code, we have little choice but to seek out someone with whom we can feel free to share our romantic gestures. In the Stone Age, this was accomplished much the same way as any survival technique (i.e., hunting and gathering). In the Industrial Age, the biggest change was that we looked and smelled better during our pursuits. Now, in the Digital Age, we are more efficient with our techniques, electronically speaking, however we have also proven that the human species has not changed a great deal on this fundamental level.

So, instead of trekking over hill and dale searching for a love connection, we now flip a switch and google for one. Less sweat, but other than that, not much else has changed. The same criteria still dictates how humanity looks for love -- attraction, compatibility, willingness to extend a heart and hand to hold.

Online dating has many positive aspects, some great advantages over the bar scene, and has been proven as an efficient, safe and enjoyable way to make real love connections. Online dating works very well as a pre-screening tool and allows you to relax more when you do decide to take a relationship offline. However, as with all dating rituals throughout history, there are some precautions that should be taken, to protect yourself, body and heart.

Go With Your Gut ...

Always be aware that the person at the other end of an e-mail message may not be who or what he or she represents him or herself to be. Listen to your instincts ... trust your instincts. If anything about the person makes you uncomfortable, even if it is just a feeling, then for your own safety and protection, walk away.

Be Mysterious, a.k.a. Use Your Anonymity ...

Dont be too eager to disclose personal information. Never include your last name, home address, phone number, where you work, who you work for, or any other identifying information. Always discontinue communication with anyone who pushes or pressures you for personal information! Also watch for any attempts to try to trick you into revealing any personal details. Be very sure you are comfortable before revealing any such delicate information.

Build Trust Through Caution & Common Sense ...

In the offline world, trust is earned gradually through consistently honorable, upfront, honest behavior. Take all the time you need to learn if a person is trustworthy. Again, listen to your instincts. Be responsible and dont fall head over heels and abandon caution at the click of your mouse.

To Phone Or Not To Phone, That Is The Question ...

Obviously, share your phone number only after you feel completely comfortable and certain the person can be trusted. Common sense tells you not to offer your personal phone number to a stranger. An option could be to use a disposable cell phone, or utilize telephone blocking features available in order to prevent your phone number from appearing on a strangers Caller ID.

Phone Calls Can Tell You A Lot ...

When you do get to the phone stage of the relationship, realize that a phone call may often reveal a great deal about someones communication and social skills, so listen carefully -- to your instincts as well as to the other persons voice and words. And even if you feel comfortable with someone, still, always consider your security first!

Dont Be Pressured To Meet Too Quickly ...

One of the great advantages of meeting and relating online is that you can collect information gradually and on your own terms, allowing you to choose if and/or when to pursue the relationship offline. You are never obligated to meet anyone no matter how far your online relationship has progressed. Even if you decide to meet offline, you have the right to change your mind at any point. If at any moment you feel uncomfortable about meeting someone in person, listen to yourself--that inner voice could be based on a hunch that you cant really explain, but trust yourself.

Red Flags, Take Warning ...

Watch for negative attitudes, such as displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Such behavior as these, as well as a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments, or any physically inappropriate behavior should send up red flags. Be very
concerned if your date exhibits any of these behaviors. You are also wise to discontinue any relationship where the person gives you inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, or anything else for that matter. If the person fails to provide
direct answers to direct questions, appears significantly different in person from their online persona, and never introduces you to friends, associates or family members, dont walk, but run, the other way!

Meet In A Safe Location ...

If you decide to meet offline, always tell a good friend or family member(s) who you are meeting, a telephone number to contact you, where you are going and when you will return. Always provide your own transportation, never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Meet in a public place at a time with many people around. A familiar, crowded meeting place is a good idea. If you decide to move to another location, take separate cars. When the date is over, leave on your own. Before trust has been built, play it safe.

If you are arriving from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room--never allow your date to make the arrangements for you. Do not disclose the name of your hotel. Arrange to meet at a public location that the two of you can comfortably agree on. If for any reason, as you are arriving or after you have arrived, the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, return to your hotel. And as stated before, always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information, and for added security, carry a cell phone with you at all times.

Stay Safe ...

Never let yourself be pressured to do anything you feel uncomfortable with or unsure about. If you are in any way intimidated by, or afraid of, your date, use your best judgment, and in the least confrontational manner possible make a hasty retreat. If you are feeling unsure how to end the date early, excuse yourself and go call a friend or family member for advice, ask for help from someone in your immediate location, or slip out the back door and drive away. Dont worry about hurting feelings or being embarrassed. And if you feel you are in any danger, dont mess around--call the police. Your safety is always much more important than one persons opinion of you.

Dishonest and unscrupulous people certainly exist on the Web. Weve all heard horror stories. They also exist offline, and not just in bars and at parties. Regardless of where you meet someone new, remember that a little safety-consciousness and common sense can save you from a disastrous encounter. Affairs of the heart are never risk-free, but by being alert and exercising a little caution, you can enjoy the exhilarating experience of meeting someone special, someone new, and maybe even someone you will have in your life for many happy years to come.

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BIO: This is a free-reprint article written by freelance writer and Website content developer, Cherie Davidson. Cherie is also managing content editor for eDipity.com ( http://www.edipity.com/) and welcomes you to submit similar articles for posting on eDipity.com and in the eDipity Article Exchange list ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/edipity/ ). For more information, write her at editor@eDipity.com or at her business address, cherie@SuitableWords.com

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8 Quick Ways to Relax Before a Big Date
Anna Dawson

So you haven't been out on a date in awhile and you're nervous that you'll do or say the wrong thing.  Or perhaps your last date was such a disaster that it should have had a rating 5 on the weather channel.  Getting nervous before a date is understandable.  Will they be attracted to you?  Are you both on the same wavelength?  Will you be able to control your mouth from saying something your brain knows is stupid? 

Mistakes usually occur when stress levels are high.  And lets face it dating is a stressful endeavour.  The best thing you can do before a date is…relax…I know that is easier said than done but here are 8 easy ways to chillout before your dates arrives so that you actually have a good time on your date without any jittery mis-steps. 

1.  Meditate or if that sounds too mystical just close your eyes and focus on your breathing, feel it as it goes in and feel it go out.  Can you feel it flow through your nostrils into your lungs?  Does your stomach expand too?  If it does then you know your breathing deeply and you'll get the most benefit from the activity.  See if you can focus on the pause between breaths and that between an inhale and an exhale.  Do it for 5 minutes or do it for 20 - the length is not as important as your focus during this time.

2.  Sing.  Really loudly.  Obviously this isn't going to work in an office but it's great in the car, especially at night if you're worried about other people looking at you oddly.

3.  Stretch.  Try standing with your feet hip width apart and then take a deep breath, rise up onto your toes and reach up to the ceiling with your fingertips.  Hold for as long as you can.  And then slowly release your breath, your arms and finally put your heels back on the ground.

4.  Go for a walk even if it's just around the office or your living room.  Or you could walk to the mailbox or do 6 starjumps or put on some dancing music.  Anything to get your body moving and those endorphins flowing.

5.  Give yourself a quick massage - your feet or hands are good places to start for a quick treat.  Keep some hand cream or body lotion at your desk or in your bedside table and you'll always be ready to treat yourself.  And take your time - afterall YOU know the bits you like.

6.  Connect with your inner child - Do a handstand or a cartwheel - this isn't going to work indoors but if you're wearing trousers there's no reason why you can't do it in the park on your way to meet your date.  And while you're there have a go on the slide too (not a good option if you're wearing white and its probably a good idea to make sure the ramp is clean before you slide).

7.  Go somewhere private and be as unbelievably angry as you possibly can and try to stay angry - you'll find that 9 times out of 10 you won't be able to sustain it.  The idea is not to get all worked up and then go and spray your anger at your date.  It's about getting it all out and then dealing with whatever situation needs addressing.  In order to do this you need to make sure that you don't leave your private space until you feel like your anger has all gone.  We hear so much about anger management when it's not really about managing it, but rather letting it out.  Just remember the golden rule:  its OK to get angry but its not OK to take it out on someone or something else.

8.  Read fiction - almost everyone agrees that fiction is a wonderful escape from the day to day.  There's nothing quite like stepping out of your own life and into the lives of the characters in a good story.  And a good short story is just the thing for a 15 minute chillout session.  Don't know where to start?  Check out www.espressofiction.com <http://www.espressofiction.com> for some cool fiction that can be sent to you by email each week.

Hope these tips work for you on your next date.  You might even find you enjoy it!

****

Dating can be confusing.  There are so many options these days and negotiating your way through can be difficult on your own.  If you want to be well informed about what is happening in today's dating world, go to http://www.datingloveadvice.com

Dating with Herpes
By Coco Swan

1 in 5 men and 1 in 4 women are living with herpes. Approximately 50 million Americans have been infected with genital herpes? Do not despair. You are not alone. Herpes treatment, herpes research and many herpes dating services link here are out there to assist you to have a happy and healthy love life.

80-90% of people infected with genital herpes don’t even realize they have it, either they have no symptoms or they have failed to recognize the herpes symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Americans infected with genital herpes has increased by 30% since the late 1970’s.

Genital Herpes Treatments.

At the moment, there is no cure for herpes. Oral prescription antiviral medications including Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex) can all reduce the frequency of attacks and help the sores heal sooner.

Recently the Food and Drug Administration approved Valtrex for the use in preventing genital herpes spread. The infected person takes the drug continuously once daily to significantly reduce the risk of transmission, although herpes spread can still occur. A visit to your sexual health clinic or local medical practitioner can inform you more fully on this positive news.

Herpes Research.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), who supports research on genital herpes and HSV, studies are currently underway to develop better treatments for the millions of people who suffer from genital herpes. While some scientists are carrying out clinical trials to determine the best way to use existing medicines, others are studying the biology of HSV. NIAID scientists have identified certain genes and enzymes (proteins) that the virus needs to survive. They are hopeful that drugs aimed at disrupting these viral targets might lead to the design of more effective treatments.

Meanwhile, other researchers are devising methods to control the viruses spread. Two important means of preventing HSV infection are vaccines and topical microbicides.

Several different vaccines are in various stages of development. These include vaccines made from proteins on the HSV cell surface, peptides or chains of amino acids, and the DNA of the virus itself. NIAID and GlaxoSmithKline are supporting a large clinical trial in women of an experimental vaccine that may help prevent transmission of genital herpes. The trial is being conducted at more than 35 sites nationwide. For more information, type Herpevac Trial for Women into your browser or go to herpesvaccine.nih.go

Topical microbicides, preparations containing microbe-killing compounds, are also in various stages of development and testing. These include gels, creams, or lotions that a woman could insert into the vagina prior to intercourse to prevent infection.

This information on herpes research was provided by the NIAID and dated October 2005.

Dating with Herpes. . All potential partners must be informed of your genital herpes diagnosis prior to any sexual intimacy. Even the use of a condom does not prevent the spread of disease because a condom may cover not all sores. It is possible for the virus to become active and be transmitted to a sexual partner even when the skin appears completely normal.

How to protect your partner:

1: no sex while you have an outbreak or if you think you are about to have an outbreak. Wait until sores are completely healed before resuming sexual activity.

2: always use a latex condom.

3: use Valtrex daily to minimize the risk of spread.

Revealing your News...It is very important to have honest and open communication with potential sexual partners. Having to tell someone you have genital herpes can be an extremely embarrassing and worrying situation. You need to be able to talk to each other, as they too could be carrying a STD as well.

1: Be knowledgeable... You should be positive about your disease. Your life will go on and you are hoping for support and acceptance. Tell them how common it is, the herpes treatments and the precautions.

2: Select the right time. You should let the relationship develop a little so that you will be able to be comfortable about being honest. Look for an opportunity for the conversation to come up. This chat should definitely happen before you become physically intimate or too hot and heavy.

3: Select a private relaxed place for the talk to take place.

4: Some people need time to digest this sort of news. Give the other person a bit of space if they need it. They might want to do their own research or see their medical practitioner. They may also be among the other 50 million Americans who are already infected.

Herpes Dating Services.

Some singles with herpes find it easier to date exclusively other singles living with herpes. Certainly, the potential for embarrassment and possible rejection and guilt can be avoided in this scenario. If this sounds more like you, there are many herpes online dating sites, herpes personals and even STD singles sites and services that you can join.

Dating with herpes and living with herpes is not the end of the world. . There is a lot happening in herpes research, herpes treatment and herpes prevention. You are among 50 million other Americans who also have the herpes infection Get yourself clued-up and healthy and get out there and find a partner.

Good Luck.

Coco Swan.

Copyright 2007 Author Coco Swan

Coco recommends reading this helpful site which assists with Herpes Dating.
For everyone else, If you want a more sensible way to find a new partner than scouring through endless dating sites, you would be best to use special or reviewed dating sites that have been given the once over. Coco writes for and recommends the site 'DatingXLence' for a good outcome. You can see many reviewed online dating services here and it's a free service. If you're a girl looking to improve your chances of getting the guy of your dreams, you can also get instant access to a helpful guide right here at how to get that guy.

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