Online Dating Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 12 - June 15, 2005
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Table of Contents
1. From the Editor
2. Creative Date Ideas: The Cooking Couple
3. Online Dating Tips: Google Your Name
4. Relationship Tips: Curb Your Jealousy
5. Relationship Quote of the Week
6. Inspirational Quote of the Week
7. Romantic Ideas: The Gift of Music
8. News: Being Aware of Dating Violence
9. Feature Link: Taking Action
10. Online Dating Newsletter Updates

From the Editor

In this issue's Online Dating Tip we reveal to you how just giving your first and last name to someone could result in them quickly getting a lot of personal information about you by using Google. In addition, if you have a unique spelling of your first name (like Jenipher instead of Jennifer), you may want to use the popular spelling in your online dating communications. That's because a person can use a search engine to use your unique spelling and city or state to learn information about you without you ever giving them your last name!

Err on the side of caution is today's message. But don't let that stop you from enjoying your communications. As has been said before, online dating is mostly a fun and safe venue. As long as you're cautious and smart you'll have a great and safe time.

Enjoy a summer of creative dates,

Joe Tracy, editor
Online Dating Newsletter

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Creative Date Ideas: The Cooking Couple
Cable television stations like the Food Network and cooking shows on network television are now more popular than ever. The popularity of these shows gives way to a unique date idea - become a cooking couple! Pre-record your favorite cooking show and gather all of the ingredients ahead of time. When your date arrives at your house, pop open a bottle of your favorite wine (or non-alcoholic beverage if you prefer) and turn on the show. You and your partner will share the kitchen responsibilities as an expert chef guides you through the making of a brand new dish. Regardless of your skills in the kitchen, you are sure to have fun if you keep the mood lighthearted. The end result will be a unique memory you and your loved one will share and a new meal you can add to your recipe box. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Online Dating Tips: Google Your Name
You may think that giving your first and last name to someone you have been communicating with online is still playing it safe as far as the information they know about you. You aren't giving them your phone number, home address, or work number, right? Wrong. By telling someone online your first and last name, you may be revealing much more personal information than you thought.

Before giving out your first and last name to an online match, make sure you search for your name under the major search engines (use quotes to do an exact name search). You may be surprised when you type in your name in Google and your company Web page comes up with your executive profile, complete with direct work number and email address. Is this information that you want your online match knowing? If it isn't, you better think twice before divulging your full name. While you probably can't change the information already posted on the web about you, you can educate yourself as to what information on you is circulating online and decide whether or not you want your online matches to discover that information yet. Just assume that they will search for your name online, and make a conscious effort to not reveal your full name until you are ready to reveal more private information like your work number. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Relationship Tips: Curb Your Jealousy
At one time or another, we have all been taken over by the green-eyed monster. Yes, jealousy has probably played a role in at least one relationship in all of our lives. The question is, how do you control it?

The majority of our jealousy comes from personal insecurity sparked by lack of communication within a relationship. If you think badly of yourself you begin to question why your significant other would want to stay with you or you think your partner is on a level above you and convince yourself that he or she can have anyone they choose. Either way of thinking leads to one conclusion - suspicion.

When you begin to be suspicious of your partner and long for your partner's time and attention, jealousy can follow. Is your partner spending more time with his or her friends than with you? Another woman or man? Is your partner finding other people more interesting than you? These questions circle through an insecure person's mind and warning signs begin to pop up where they don't belong.

The first step in curbing your jealousy is to discuss your insecurities with your partner. If you let your partner know how you are feeling, he or she will reassure you the reasons why you have no need to worry (unless there is a bigger problem, in which case you will need to start talking about it anyway). By communicating with your partner you will realize that you partner is with you because they love you. Just as you think the world of them, they are thinking the world of you. When you stop making excuses as to why your partner will leave you, you can begin to realize the reasons why he or she is with you in the first place. Once you begin to value yourself as someone worth loving, you will stop questioning your partner's love for you. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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Relationship Quote of the Week
"Love is the greatest refreshment in life." - Pablo Picasso

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Inspirational Quote of the Week
"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Ziggy

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Romantic Ideas: The Gift of Music
It is inevitable that couples that spend a lot of time together will begin to create special memories around music. Whether it is a song on the radio that reminds both of you of your road trip across to U.S. or the song playing when you danced together for the first time, there are undoubtedly a handful of songs that you associate with your partner and vice versa.

Make a list of these songs and find out the name of the artist, song name, and name of the album. With downloadable music sites like iTunes and Napster gaining popularity, it won't be too hard to find the songs on your list and download them onto your computer. If you have a CD-RW on your computer (or your friends computer if you do not), take all of your songs and put them onto a special CD for your significant other. Presentation is everything, so do a little creative decorating to the CD case. By giving your partner a CD of all the special songs the two of you share, you are giving him or her a treasured keepsake of your relationship. (SOURCE: Online Dating Newsletter - www.onlinedatingnewsletter.com)

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News: Being Aware of Dating Violence
(June 15, 2005 - onlinedatingnewsletter.com) In a recent news release Robert Siciliano, a nationally televised and quoted authority on personal safety and privacy, gave insight into the problem of dating violence not only within the online dating community but with dating in general.

"Dating violence has always been a problem, especially for women," said Siciliano. "Statistics indicate that it is prevalent. Dating online adds more risk to the mix."

Siciliano counsels those who date to acquaint themselves with safe dating practices and never give out their phone numbers until they're comfortable. He continues, "To some, who want to believe in the fairy tale romance, this may seem decidedly unromantic, but the best way to meet the love of your life online is to practice safe dating."

The majority of women who have been the victim of date rape in the U.S. knew their attackers. Last month, KVBC-TV of Las Vegas, Nevada, reported an online dating experience that ended in violence. The victim -- no stranger to the dating scene -- turned out to be a regular relationship columnist who apparently corresponded with her attacker for many weeks leading up to the incident.

"If a woman who writes a regular, published column on relationships is susceptible to violence in a dating situation," said Siciliano, "then all women should take heed."

"The online dating scene is a perfect haven for what I like to call the 'stealth miscreant,'" Siciliano continued. "These are people with questionable social backgrounds. Perhaps they are loners. Not necessarily criminals, they are nonetheless predisposed to act inappropriately, perhaps dangerously, in romantic situations."

"It is impossible to eliminate threats," Siciliano added, "but, with a little research, practice, and vigilance, anyone can significantly increase their odds of remaining safe no matter the circumstances."

"Online dating can be a rewarding experience," Siciliano concluded. "The payoff is even greater when people date safely."

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Feature Link: Taking Action
A 38-year old male reader is so upset at online dating service eHarmony that he is taking action. Find out what he's doing and see the attached editor's note by clicking here.

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Online Dating Newsletter Updates
A new "Clicking Together" cartoon, number 18 in our 20-week series, has been uploaded to the Online Dating Newsletter Website. Click here to view it.

A new joke has been added to the Online Dating Newsletter Dating Fun Zone. Click here to view the new Dating Jokes section.

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Editor: Joe Tracy (jtracy@onlinedatingmagazine.com)
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