The dating world is a lot riskier than it used to be, and if you’re doing the online dating thing, it’s even worse. Much of the danger that comes with meeting someone online is that you honestly don’t know the person you’re going to be meeting up with. Regardless of how well you think you know a guy, it’s always wise to get a better idea of what he’s all about by taking a look at his social media profiles. It may not tell you everything about him, but it could give you a few hints (and raise some red flags, if there are any).
- It’ll give you a better clue about whether or not he’s taken. It’s sad but true. Not every guy who asks you on a date will actually be single. One of the most telling ways to see whether or not he’s for real is to look at his Facebook and see if he’s marked as “In A Relationship.” It may hurt, but it’s better to know he sees you as side chick material sooner rather than later.
- Reading his Facebook will give you insight into what kind of personality he has. If a guy’s Facebook posts are all desperate-sounding cries for help, you know you’ll have dodged a bullet by cancelling the date. Many bad dates can be avoided by taking a look at your potential date’s posts, and seeing how he copes with everything.
- Everyone does it, so you’re not alone. If you honestly think you’ve ever met a person who hasn’t scoped out a potential boyfriend or girlfriend’s Facebook prior to agreeing to meet up, you’re fooling yourself. It’s very common, and to a point, it’s almost expected. Don’t feel bad about doing this — your date is likely doing the same to you.
- No one will know you’re looking, and even if they do, it’s not a big faux pas. The normalcy of checking out a date on Facebook is well-known by now. Considering that most social media sites allow you to look at profiles somewhat anonymously, it’s not that big a risk. No one will know unless you “Like” his status or do something similarly obvious.
- A little bit of detective work can help you figure out a good first date activity. Many social media sites have a person’s interests clearly listed on their profiles. If you’re at a loss of what kind of date would be best, taking a quick look at their interests might make it easier for you to choose a location or activity that you’d both like.
- It’ll also give you good topics to discuss. If you notice that he’s following a news event closely, bringing it up during a date may lead to hours of great conversation. For those of us who are socially awkward, this little bit of research can be a godsend in terms of breaking the ice.
- If you’re concerned about past exes, it may actually give you a good idea of what you’re dealing with. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn about a person simply by reading their histories. You can find out things like why they broke up with their ex, why they’re afraid of spiders, or even what’s been going on in their lives. It’s safe to say that knowing how much ex-girlfriend drama he deals with can help you decide whether or not he’s worth keeping around. (Note: Too much drama is always a red flag.)
