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The Internet offers us almost limitless opportunities, but with opportunities come risks, and online dating is no exception. It is about investing your time and your feelings into someone who will – until the moment you meet in person – remain a stranger, whose words and even identity cannot be taken for granted. Forgetting this simple fact can result in hurt feelings, wasted time and (worst-case scenario) hundreds or even thousands of dollars you will never get back. These words are not meant to dissuade you from using dating sites, any more than traffic rules are meant to dissuade you from driving a car; just as the latter is among the easiest and most convenient ways of getting around, the former is among the easiest and most convenient ways of finding a romantic partner, its benefits far outweighing the risks. But also, just as there are simple rules for driving a vehicle, there are simple rules for using a dating site or app. Follow these, and your figurative ride will be a smooth one, quite possibly, with a beautiful woman awaiting you at the end.