Online dating is a wonderful thing. Whoever invented it deserves a medal for opening up the world to people that do not have the time to date or the inclination to go to bars and such to meet people. However, although online dating did bring a lot of good with it, it also left the door open to a lot of bad things too. Now you are obviously thinking about attacks and rapes. Believe it or not, there are very few of those. The newspapers may highlight them once in a while but the actual occurrence of it is incredibly rare. As long as you take good security measures you have nothing to worry about with that. Instead it is the online threat that poses a problem.

Online dating does really require you to lay yourself bare. You have to give people access to your emotions and your heart, but you also have to give the online dating site itself access to your computer. In the majority of cases this is not a problem because the reputable sites offer plenty of online security and would never knowingly transfer viruses and adware to your computer. However, there are some online dating sites that would as well as individual users that may send you viruses through individual messages as well.

There are ways and means to protect yourself and your computer whilst you are on online dating websites. Firstly, it is essential that you get a good computer security package to help protect your computer against any threats There are plenty of good ones out there that you can purchase, but you should make sure that the one you choose has protection against a whole list of critters, including worms, viruses, adware, spyware and malware. A good all round anti-virus product will have a good security centre that will work alongside your computer to keep it healthy and to prevent individuals getting a hold of personal details whilst online dating.

The above security packages are easy to buy and install so you have no excuse not to use one. It is essential with online dating. However, you can also take precautions yourself in addition to this. For example, do not open any files that someone off an online dating site has sent you and never navigate to another website via a link they have sent you either. Both are clever ways of getting a worm, virus or Trojan into your computer system. These are only basic pointers and are incredibly easy to do but they will effectively protect your computer during online dating so you can relax safe in the knowledge that your interests are safe!

First date ideas are hard to come by for many couples, even if they live in a major city. This is largely because you don’t appreciate it if you live there. If you visit another city then you see the sights. If you live there then you go to the same old bars and cinemas week after week. Belfast is no different. This is why the following first date ideas may give you a wake up call and encourage you to get touristy and creative!

1. Take A Train – There’s a steam train network that runs throughout Northern Ireland at the minute and you can readily catch them in Belfast. Why not take a train to another city or town but go the old fashioned way for a change?
2. The Cathedral – Belfast Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous. It’s architecture is amazing and there are plenty of things to see and do there so why not tap into it and enjoy the heritage of your city as well as use it as the best of the first date ideas?
3. The Wheel – The Belfast Wheel is one of the main attractions of the city because you can see the entire city from the top of the wheel. It only takes 12 minutes to do a full cycle so it’s not as long as the London Eye but it’s perfect to start a date before you move on to dinner.

Nottingham is a wonderful city, especially if you need first date ideas. There’s plenty to do and plenty to see, and yet many couples still choose to go see a film or go for dinner without exploring it. Let’s face it, a movie and dinner is OK but it hardly makes for a memorable date unless you spill wine all over your date’s lap! You’ve got to get creative and make a memorable day or evening for you both.

There are many first date ideas that you can access in Nottingham so it should be easy to find something different but the first date ideas below should get you started:

1. The Tales Of Robin Hood – This is one of the best first dates ideas because there are so many things that you can do there. You can try archery, look at the history, go on adventure rides… The list is endless and it’s a wonderful experience so what better way to enjoy a first date and get a potential relationship to a good start.
2. Have A Drink At The Music Hall – The Malt Cross Music Hall has been standing since 1877 and is one of the few remaining music halls in the UK today and it’s right on your doorstep. Go there for a coffee in the afternoon or a drink in the evening and enjoy conversation in one of the most enjoyable locations in Nottingham.
3. Get On The Farm – Sherwood Forest Farm Park is a great afternoon first date idea. The park itself is huge and has wonderful water gardens but you can also take a look at the rare breeds there. Finish it off with a coffee in the tearoom. Of the first date ideas in Nottingham, this is one of the best for a day date that could extend into dinner a little later.

Following on from the 10 things that you should never say to a girl on the first date, we’ve got to fill the ladies in on protecting themselves as far as possible against rejection. Not only do guys have to watch what they say but girls do too. If a guy feels that he’s being insulted on the first date then he isn’t going to want to see you again.

In some ways, guys are more sensitive than girls. Although girls won’t like a guy that waxes lyrical about his ex or his mum, a guy won’t like any phrases that attack his masculinity or looks. Check out the 10 things not to say to a guy on the first date below:

1. For some reason you’re thinner than I remembered you!
2. I like feminine looking guys
3. You call those muscles?
4. Wow, check him out!
5. My ex says…
6. I want to get married in the next year or so.
7. My ex was a bouncer/security guard/professional wrestler/policeman etc
8. I’m very independent and don’t need looking after by anyone, especially a guy.
9. I don’t do sex, not until after I’m married.
10. I can’t wait to settle down and have lots of kids.

Now if you stay away from those phrases on your first date, or variations of them, then you’ll be absolutely fine!

We have all been there and know how it feels – the butterflies in the stomach, the nervous laugh and the hope that it will lead to something more. If you have yet to guess it, the above refers to the first meeting you have with someone you met via online dating. Online dating is much easier in some ways because you already know a person before you meet face to face. However, that does not stop you being nervous and making the same mistakes as you would if you had met someone in a more traditional manner.

The ten short and sweet tips below for a first meeting after online dating should really help you to enjoy yourself and relax so take a look to maximize your chances of success.

1. Start As You Mean To Go On – Greet your online dating date with a big smile and a few words about how great it is to meet them, a bit like you would an old friend. This will put both of you at your ease a little.
2. Meet During The Day – There are more things to do during the day than at night. You can visit places of historical interest or go for a walk around public gardens. Those types of dates are more interesting and give you more to talk about.
3. Keep Busy – Having a bus date is better than having dinner because there is less of a chance that there will be an awkward silence. Those are always best avoided.
4. Go Over Common Ground – If you have been online dating then the likelihood is that you already know a little about each other. This gives you a chance to talk about subjects you already feel safe with.
5. Do Not Try To Be Funny – Rubbish jokes have no place on a first date so leave them at home. Having a laugh is one thing but stunning your date into silence is another.
6. Avoid Talking Too Much – Just think about it this way. When online dating you take turns to talk via instant messages so do not talk over your date when you finally meet up.
7. Go Alone – Taking a friend is not the best way to get online dating in person off to a good start. Do meet in public and tell people where you are for your own safety but taking someone may upset the other person.
8. Stay Away From Personal Details – Do not talk about your home address, where you work or anything else of that nature. This is to protect your safety via online dating. If you avoid these subject you will relax more because there will be no pressure to disclose information.
9. Avoid Debating – Politics, religion, feminism, ethnic issues and so on should all be off the menu so that neither of you get yourself into an awkward position that you cannot recover from. You do not talk about that on online dating so do not do it on a first date.
10. Be Yourself – The golden rule and it speaks for itself.

Thirty years ago you had a problem if you had not got time to date because you had no other option but to go out and meet people. Today, however, technology has made it possible for those with the busiest of lifestyles to date. Online dating as opened up a whole new world for people to date others without the hassle of putting a lot of time and effort in. Many individuals also prefer the concept of online dating because you can get to know someone before meeting them, thus giving any relationship more of a chance at success, but you have to choose the right site before you experience any success.

The online dating tips below will give you an excellent idea of just how you should go about choosing the right online dating site for you:

1. Avoid Scams – There are plenty of online dating scams around at the moment so avoid them like the plague. They will rip you off and take your money, if not your identity. The way to avoid them is to look for tell tale signs, such as all of the profiles looking the same or a lack of a secure server for payment. You should also check out user reviews on independent sites to find out whether the site is legit.
2. Choose A Site For Your Orientation – This does not apply to the majority of straight people because there are plenty of online dating sites on the Internet for that. However, if you are gay, a lesbian, bisexual or a transsexual then you should choose one of the specific sites that can help you by providing great customer service and people looking for love!
3. Make The Most Of Free Trials – Many sites offer a free trial and some even have money back offers. Take advantage of them because you can only get a good feel of an online dating site by being on it and operating within the community there. You can try several, but you must remember to cancel your membership if you are not going to pay for the site or else it will continue to take money from your bank or card.

Read The Terms – Any hidden small print, such as a minimum number of months you can be a member for example. Check them well before signing up to make sure that you know what you are getting into with the online dating sites!

Going on a first date can be nerve racking for a guy. After all, it isn’t very good to have a girl go out on a first date with you and then have her reject you. She may not reject you at all but your fear of rejection when combined with the nerves and the excitement of your first date could lead to all sorts of things coming out of your mouth that that you wish you had never said.

First dates can lead to rejection if you offend your date through saying any number of things, but the top 10 things never to say are listed below for ease of reference:

1. You look so much better than you normally do.
2. Do you sleep with someone on the first date?
3. My ex says…
4. You remind me of my mum.
5. I would ask you back to mine but my parents will be in bed.
6. But you’re a girl!
7. I’m a nice guy, honest.
8. My therapist says…
9. I usually go for pretty girls but I really like you.
10. Wow, look at the tits on her!

Any variation of the above is a massive no-no. If you steer clear of these then you’ll be fine!

For the 10 thinks you should never say to a guy, check in later this week!

Oxford is the capital of English culture and heritage. Tourists flock to it every year to see the sights of the city and the surrounding area, and with good reason… but what good is that reason to you if you can’t come up with some good first date ideas when you want to impress a potential boyfriend or girlfriend? The short answer is that you have absolutely no excuse not to come up with something creative and interesting in Oxford, but just to get you started here are some awesome first date ideas:

1. Oxford University – So what if you don’t go there to learn? That part doesn’t really matter but the campus itself is full of possibilities where having a good time is concerned. You can take a look in the museums, admire the architecture… or even visit the student bars locally if you must!
2. Museum Of Modern Art – There are always some fantastic exhibitions on here and if you like museums and looking at art then it’s one of the best in the country to visit. If it’s on your doorstep then include it in your first date ideas list.
3. Cogges Manor Farm – Perfect for a daytime date, you can go look at the animals and enjoy the displays and shows there. It’s certainly different and memorable whilst giving you a good chance to get to know each other better!
4. Blenheim Palace – Live like royalty for the day at one of the most awesome royal palaces in the country. You can stroll around the palace itself and see how the other half live before settling down for a picnic in the grounds. There are always people there so you know you’re completely safe, which is why it’s perfect for first date ideas in Oxford!

The world is hardly a safe place to live in at the moment. With all sorts of violent crimes happening on a daily basis, the news is always full of rapes, fraud and attacks. This is hardly painting a great picture but you do hear of plenty of problems, especially as some of them are linked to online dating sites. However, not all online dating sites are unsafe, and you can help to protect yourself as well.

You should only ever use secure online dating sites. Those that offer assurances and are backed up by secure payment systems are always the best option. You can check this in the information given on the site itself as well as via the payment system. For example, the web address of the online dating site will be displayed as beginning with https:// rather than http://. There will also be a small lock appear in the frame of your browser. This ensures that your payment details will remain secure. In terms of your own personal details, good dating sites will ask you for your details in order to verify that you are in fact human but will also allow you to choose what you reveal and what you do not.

You can also guard your personal details when using online dating sites by following these suggestions:

1. Never reveal your phone number – This is a recipe for disaster and plenty of crank calls. The safest way to communicate when online dating is via the site itself or via email. Never give your number to someone until after you meet him or her for the first time.
2. Never reveal where you live – Again, this is a recipe for disaster. When you do arrange a date, both of you should make arrangements to get there yourself. As such, you have no need to reveal your home address until you get to know your date well.
3. Choose your picture very carefully – It should not reveal anything about you or your home. You should not feature any expensive personal possessions, the outside of your home, your car number plate or anything else that could make you a target. Online dating pictures may be seen by thousands so play it safe.
4. Never divulge your daily routine or a specific work location – Stalkers and potential attackers may well target people that they have found via online dating as a result of their workplace or places that are part of a daily routine (the gym for example). Do not reveal this information. Of course, this only happens in a minority of cases but the risk just is not worth it.
5. Always meet in a busy and public location – This is just basic offline and online dating safety. You do not know anything about your date when you meet them other than what they he or she has told you so just be careful. Your well being is the most important thing.

It’s been an age old problem for people in the UK dating game – should they aim to get someone they think is above them in terms of desirability or below them? It began back in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries when the gentry would gasp if a woman married below her own status and title, but not if a man did the same (because of course men could do what they liked)! It still applies today but is considered in another way – in terms of looks and intelligence.

I see UK dating discussions about this all the time and nothing anyone says will probably ever change the way we view the world because it’s ingrained, but believe me when I say that there’s no such thing as aiming higher or lower today. Love doesn’t discriminate against anyone on the UK dating scene. You can’t help whom you fall in love with. That person may be gorgeous and intelligent, or her/she may be neither. Either way, you’d have a spark.

In truth, we’re all equal and anyone discriminating against another because of looks or intelligence is just plain wrong and nobody should go into the UK dating scene thinking like that. If you do then the likelihood is that you’ll end up completely disappointed. Keep an open mind and you might just meet the man or woman of your dreams.