When you're online, it's easy to get caught up in the moment because you are communicating closely with people, yet they can't see or hear you. There's a strange sense of privacy and intimacy, even though the Internet is a very public domain. This false sense of privacy can cause people to be too forward or act impolitely. That's why it is important to remember online dating etiquette when you're chatting in singles chat rooms or via email.

First, use your personal judgment. If you wouldn't want a stranger asking you your political affiliation or religious views, don't ask others these questions. Of course if you're in a themed chat room, such as Christian singles, it's ok.

Ask basic questions: What is your occupation? What are your interests? What types of movies do you like? These are all good conversation starters and aren't too personal.

Don't pry. If a person isn't answering a specific question, there's a reason. This may be a warning sign that this person is too secretive, or maybe you should reconsider your question and whether it could be considered highly personal.

If someone is asking you too many personal questions, explain this to them. If it was a simple mistake (maybe they are very political and don't find asking political questions invasive), continue chatting as usual. If they don't stop, ignore them.

As in real life, proper etiquette requires people to pay attention to one another and listen (in this case read) what someone else has to say. Multitasking — while the person you're chatting with may not immediately realize it — is rude and useless. If you truly want to meet someone, you need to pay attention. If you ask them three times what they do for a living, they're going to notice and aren't going to be pleased. Follow these steps in order to focus and remember:

• Turn the television off and stop surfing the Internet. If you're in a chat room talking, talk. Long pauses between answers will be noticed.
• Read what the person is typing to you and address their comments and questions. If the person is writing long responses, you may want to stop chatting, unless of course you like what you're reading.
• If you have a horrible memory, save your conversations. You can easily paste the contents of an online chat into a Word document. Skim over it before the next time you talk to your online friend.
• If you sense someone isn't paying attention to you, don't accuse them. Politely end the chat. If they can't focus enough to read a few lines on the computer, you don't want them anyways.

Photos are an integral part of online dating. They let people put a face to a (screen)name. It can be exciting to share photos when online dating, but keep a few things in mind to make sure things go smoothly.

Responding to a Photo

When you receive a photo of someone, you usually know immediately if you're attracted to them or not. If the photo reveals someone that isn't your type, or you aren't attracted to, respond by thanking them for the picture. If you asked for their picture, you owe them a response. If they begin to hound you about what you think, come up with a polite response like, "Sorry, but you're not really my type."

If you like the picture, respond with a nice compliment. Don't be too forward or sexual though. Remember you probably just started talking to this person, you don't want to scare them off or give a wrong impression of what your intentions are.

If the picture looks too good to be true, it could be, but don't be quick to judge. Trust your instincts. If you're too curious or really hoping the picture is legitimate, ask for more and compare them. Then decide whether to pursue this person and respond accordingly. Fake pictures will eventually reveal themselves.

For Your Own Photo

Be honest. Use a recent picture that looks like you. Don't use an old photo where you may have looked very different. If you're looking to make a lasting connection, be honest about your looks and send a photo that displays the true you.

Respect yourself. Regardless of your body type or physical appearance, use a simple, casual picture. Photos of you in your underwear are not going to help you establish a serious relationship.

When you're dating online, whether you're entering a singles chat room or posting a profile on a dating site, there is a proper politeness protocol to follow. Just like in the offline world, common courtesy is expected.

Chatting

During your chats in singles chat rooms, or via email, there are some definite do's and don'ts in regards to proper etiquette. While many newbies are merely naïve to these practices, they still look rude to those that are online-dating savvy. In order to be in the know, follow these tips:

• Do not use a lewd or offensive screen name. While this may gain the attention of others, it will not be the right kind of attention.
• When you first sign into a singles chat room, introduce yourself to the room. State your age, location and gender.
• Address individuals by using their screen name followed by a colon and then your statement.
• Do not hog the chat room. Send a question or two at a time and wait for responses.
• Avoid using all capital letters or large font. In the online world, this denotes yelling and anger.
• If a confrontation erupts in the chat room, ignore it.
• If a user ignores you, don't pester them. If they're interested, they'll answer.
• If someone makes you mad or says something rude, ignore them. If they persist, report them to the chat host.
• Ask simple questions. Don't pry and don't ask anything too bold.