Archive for June, 2007

Dating Ethics

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

Ethics - a set of moral values or principles; often based upon the difference between right and wrong.

When we discuss ethical dating, we are basically talking about morality and distinguishing between right and wrong behavior in a relationship. Ethics and dating pertains to a number of different areas. If you are dating within your faith, then ethics will play a large role based upon the common views that you share. Yet, what may be considered ethical for your relationship may not be applicable to another. However, no matter what your faith, gender, or orientation, there is one are that is simply unethical when dating - cheating.

Many people enter a relationship with the understanding that cheating is simply unethical and undesirable behavior. Yet for others, they may view dating as a time to play the field, to meet new people and try different experiences. In fact, the way they see it, they are dating and aren’t in a committed relationship, therefore they aren’t cheating; they are simply dating different people. Unfortunately, many people have different ideas as to when dating ends and a one-on-one relationship begins. Your best line of defense to ensure that you and your partner are on the same page regarding your relationship and expectations of each other is communication.

Though you may feel as if you have a right to date as many people as you choose, or if you don’t feel as if you ever made a commitment to date exclusively, without letting the other person know from the beginning your views, you are leaving room for misunderstandings to occur. Since this type of error in judgment could mean the end of a good relationship, it is imperative to enter into the dating scene on a level playing field.

Usually, on a first date, no one expects exclusivity. However, things may begin to get a bit hazy if you have been dating for several months. Things may begin to feel a bit more involved and without adequate communication, there could be trouble down the road. If one of the parties feels things are becoming serious and the other one doesn’t, they may become emotionally upset when they discover that their feelings are not being returned. To avoid any confusion, let your partner know whether or not you are continuing to see other people. If you feel that the other person seems to be developing stronger feelings then you are currently feeling, you should address that immediately. Talking with each other is the best method to prevent any unwanted situations from occurring.

Talking before hand regarding your expectations may seem as if it will put a damper on future romance, but in fact it will strengthen your relationship from the beginning. If you are not seeking an exclusive relationship and are planning on dating numerous people, or if you view dating as a fun social event, then let the other person know this from the beginning.

Some people don’t share this view, and look to dating as an interview for their potential life partner. Without proper communication, boundaries, and ground rules - both members may leave the relationship disappointed. However, simple communication may be enough to bridge any misunderstandings or confusion, while allowing a relationship to grow and flourish until both parties feel it is time to become exclusive.

Dating Anniversary Gifts

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

So you’ve been dating steadily and you want to give anniversary gifts, yet you aren’t sure what would be appropriate. It makes sense that you are a little confused. First, when you are dating, you may not feel comfortable giving gifts that are appropriate for married couples, yet you still want to express your feelings of love, so what should you do? Well, here are some ideas that can help you find the perfect anniversary gift whether you have been dating for one month or several years.

A good rule of thumb is to make the anniversary gift as special and romantic as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to think back to when you first met and base the gift on something that pertains to your first encounter together. When choosing an anniversary gift based upon your specific relationship, consider the place of your first meeting, where you shared your first kiss, what activity you participated in on your first date and choose a gift that is related to one of these events.

For example, if you visited a movie together, then you could give anything that was related to that movie or even a movie script. You could also create a photo scrapbook that includes pictures of your relationship together from the beginning. This is a nice sentimental gift that is rather inexpensive as well.

It is a good idea to follow the basic anniversary gift guidelines whether you are celebrating one month or one year of dating with items that are from the wedding anniversary gift. Though it is rare to date exclusively past ten years without being married, it does occur. Here are the traditional gift items associated with each anniversary:

    1st Anniversary - Paper

    2nd Anniversary - Cotton

    3rd Anniversary - Leather

    4th Anniversary - Flowers

    5th Anniversary - Wood

    6th Anniversary - Iron

    7th Anniversary - Wool or Copper

    8th Anniversary - Bronze

    9th Anniversary - Pottery or China

    10th Anniversary - Tin or Aluminum

    11th Anniversary - Steel

    12th Anniversary - Silk

    13th Anniversary - Lace

    14th Anniversary - Ivory

    15th Anniversary - Crystal

This list has also been modernized to include new materials. You can choose whether to pick gifts from the traditional or the modern list. Here is the modern anniversary gift list:

    1st Anniversary - Clocks

    2nd Anniversary - China

    3rd Anniversary - Crystal or Glass

    4th Anniversary - Applicances

    5th Anniversary - Silverware

    6th Anniversary - Wood

    7th Anniversary - Desk Sets

    8th Anniversary - Linens or Lace

    9th Anniversary - Leather

    10th Anniversary - Diamond Jewelry

    11th Anniversary - Fashion Jewelry

    12th Anniversary - Pearls

    13th Anniversary - Textiles

    14th Anniversary - Gold Jewlery

    15th Anniversary - Watches

With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can choose the best anniversary gift from either the traditional or modern list that is appropriate for your particular relationship. There are also a number of flowers that are associated with each anniversary and these also make wonderful additions to your gift giving. Here are the flowers appropriate for each anniversary:

    1st Anniversary - Orange Blossoms or Pansies

    2nd Anniversary - Cosmos

    3rd Anniversary - Fuchsia

    4th Anniversary - Geranium

    5th Anniversary - Daisy

    6th Anniversary - Calla Lilly

    7th Anniversary - Jack-In-The-Pulpit

    8th Anniversary - Clematis

    9th Anniversary - Poppy

    10th Anniversary - Daffodil

    11th Anniversary - Morning Glory

    12th Anniversary - Peony

    13th Anniversary - Hollyhock

    14th Anniversary - Dahlia

    15th Anniversary - Rose

Tips For Choosing An Online Dating Site

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

The Internet affords singles greater opportunities to find a partner then people have ever experienced before. Today, it is possible to browse potential life partners worldwide and to narrow the field by selecting people based upon sexual orientation, ethnic groups, religious preferences, work professions, and even hobbies. Some of the ways that people use the Internet for finding potential mates is by using chat rooms, Instant Messaging services, and joining online dating sites.

An online dating site offers singles the ability to post their photos, create a personal profile, and receive emails by potential mates who are interested in further communication. Since the Internet allows for greater communication, it is wise to always protect your personal information and only share it with another when you feel 100% confident that you can trust your new friend. To begin with, you should create a free “anonymous” email account and use that one for your profile. Never use your main account. After you have set up your email account, you are all set to join the online dating site.

Many members choose to meet offline after they have been communicating for a while via the site. Some people may feel uncomfortable meeting with people offline. Today, there are many services that will provide group meetings for their members. If this is a concern of yours, be sure to find out what type of services the site offers for their members.

Some sites are free, while others may require a fee for more advanced services. The free sites are just as popular as paid sites. Most paid sites generally run between $20.00-$50.00 per month. Always read the terms of services (TOS) before joining a site. There are numerous sites to choose from, so you may prefer to pick one based on recommendations from family and friends. You should ensure that the site would let you post photos before joining, since viewing a photo is a critical aspect in choosing whom you will be compatible with.

You can also choose an online dating site based upon the type of service it provides. For example, there are a variety of sites that cater to different groups. Some of these include:

    Adult Dating

    Gay Dating

    Lesbian Dating

    Ethnic Groups

    Divorced

    Single Parent

    Baby Boomers

    Religious Dating

    Age Related (twenty something, thirty something, etc.)

    Senior Dating

    Inter Generational

    Political Dating

The best way to determine which online dating site is best for you is to narrow down and determine exactly what you are looking for. You may feel most comfortable by making a list of the type of qualities that you are looking for in a mate, and then choose the dating site that caters to your needs. You may also find it beneficial to take some personality tests to determine what your qualities would be best featured in your potential mate. If these types of services are important to you, be sure to check ahead of time to ensure that the site offers these before signing up or joining.

5 Popular Online Dating Sites :

JDate.com

Match.com

Perfectmatch.com

True.com

Yahoo Personals

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