Angela Philipps, Gleaner Writer

I know, for many of you, the idea of 'meeting' someone online might seem a little cold and distant, or perhaps, rather creepy. I mean, how can you be sure that you should trust this person? He/she could be lying about many things: age, looks, job, hobbies, history, and everything else to do with himself/herself.

The worst thing, of course, would be if the man or woman turned out to be a pervert or criminal. So how do you find out who he or she really is?

The truth is, unless you have mutual acquaintances or friends, you can never tell in all certainty that you'd be safe hanging out with the person you met online.

That being said, it doesn't mean that you can't keep particular things secret yourself. Thinking aloud, I'd guess that it would be sensible not to disclose your phone numbers or address, and perhaps not even where you work.

Also, before you get started on the whole process, use an online search engine and see if there is an agency in Jamaica that handles who you meet, or ask others for recommendations. You'd be surprised to find out that you're not the only one taking this route to romance. Be cautious, though. Nothing is foolproof, so always have your wits about you.

I suppose that writing an email to an unknown recipient is similar to the old-fashioned pen-pal system. You get a chance to express yourself truly and without hesitation, and provided the other person is not being deceitful, you'll soon know his/her inner self as well. This might just be a better way to discover if the two of you could be in a successful and happy relationship. The physical aspect would not be in the way.

Knowing the fact

I have a girlfriend in New York who is not a stranger to Internet dating. In fact, she finds that it's refreshing to meet people who are not in her circle and with whom she can have a 'fresh start'. It's not that she has anything to hide, but sometimes it's nice when all the mistakes you have made in life are not out on the table marring any possibility of a special bond. She goes through several agencies, who match her up with men who are also using the service. Email addresses are then exchanged, as are communications between the two people. After no set time, they may decide not to have a rendezvous, or they do make a plan to unite in a casual setting.

This friend, although she's still single, has come across a few wonderful guys throughout this process, and she's even remained friendly with one or two. Between you and me, she's the sort of gal who is way too fussy, so it's no wonder that she hasn't found 'the one' as yet. However, there's no reason why the rest of us can't meet our soulmates this way!

I have to admit that I have never drummed up the courage to join the Internet dating craze, but that's the old-fashioned part of me speaking.

I'm quite willing to accept an invitation from an interesting fellow who I'm introduced to, at a party, so why not be open to the Internet experts' suggestions? There was a time when it was considered taboo for ladies to talk to any gentleman with whom they had no close family connections. After a while, this became acceptable.

So, although you might stick your nose up at what is essentially blind dating, there's no reason why this can't become the 'norm' for some. Keep an open mind when it comes to Internet dating.

Angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com.