Many online dating sites now offer chat applications on their sites so that users can chat with one another and get to know each other a little before taking the step of emailing or meeting each other. Talking in online chat rooms or using instant messaging to talk one on one with a potential date can be intimidating if you don’t spend a lot of time in chat rooms.
Chat rooms and instant messaging applications have their own lingo, and conversations tend to move very fast. If you plan on spending some time in an online dating service chat room or using instant messaging to talk to someone, there are a few rules of etiquette that you should know.
Never use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS – this is considered shouting, and it’s considered to be rude.
Never reveal personal information in chat – just like other areas of the net you should not reveal your real name or any other personal information in a chat room or when you’re using instant messaging.
Be respectful – Whenever you are conversing with someone else online you should be respectful. Talking online is no different than talking to someone in real life. You would never walk up to someone on the street and demand that they justify their beliefs, or ridicule them for something they said, or make fun of them so you shouldn’t do it online either.
Don’t just jump in – When you first enter a chat room, don’t immediately announce your presence and divert the conversation. Wait a minute or two and read the conversation that is already going on. Join in if you want but don’t disrupt the whole room when you enter.
Watch your language – You never know if someone in the chat room or the person with whom you are instant messaging might be offended by coarse language so it’s best not to use it. Keep your tone warm but professional and don’t use any language that you wouldn’t shout out loud on the street.
