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[O170]Online Dating Chat Rooms

by Alan Lim, Ala

Chat acronyms are the ‘in' thing today. To be unaware of them is shocking. Chat acronyms are a fun way of online chatting. These instant messages will reflect on your Internet savvy attitude. Online dating chat rooms thrive on these acronyms. These acronyms resemble the acronyms used by people while chatting in general.

Common acronyms

Some acronyms are a must in online dating chat rooms. These acronyms save the user not only time but are an effective and fun way of conveying thoughts and feelings to the other person.

AAK -- Asleep at keyboard
AAMOF -- As a matter of fact
AAMOI -- As a matter of interest
AAR -- At any rate
AAS -- Alive and smiling
ADDY -- Address
AFAIK -- As far as I know
AFK -- Away from computer keyboard
AFAIC -- As Far As I'm Concerned
AFAIK -- As Far As I Know
AM -- Away Message
ASAP -- As soon as possible
A/S/L -- Age/Sex/Location
ATM -- At the moment

Why use them?

People tend to use chat acronyms for fun. These acronyms are also a way of showing your Internet acumen to a potential date. They also reflect your adeptness at being modern and in sync with societal pace and lifestyle. Chat acronyms have also found their way into physical workplace conversations and even the boardroom. People find it easier to talk in acronyms rather than spelling out the entire text of their communication.

The psychological perspective

Popularity of these online dating chat acronyms thrive our inherent lazy nature. People are always on the lookout for a short cut to achieve their goals. At the same time they want to conserve their energy and time to indulge in other activities. In other words, people today have too many activities and too less time. The result is the development and popularity of the acronym.

Speaking in acronyms

We aim to save space, time and energy by engaging in the usage of acronyms. In situations of online dating, it sends out a message to the readers that you are smart, suave and modern in thought and action. It tells the audience that you are not boring or old-fashioned. Here are a few more!

BBL -- Be back later
BBS -- Be back soon
BC or B/C -- Because
BCNU -- Be Seeing' You
BF -- Boyfriend
BFN -- Bye for now
BG -- Big grin
BL -- Buddy List
BMG -- Be my guest
BRB -- Be right back
BTA -- But then again
BTW -- By the way

Attracting through acronyms

Online dating chat rooms engage in a lot of acronym usage. You send out all the correct signals when chatting in acronyms with another person. It is a sure way to attract potential dates -imagine writing ‘as soon as possible' in its entirety. Wouldn't it be better to type our ‘ASAP' which means the same thing? The acronym looks trendier and shorter and saves you time and energy to chat some more. Next time in the chat room, when someone writes in ‘TTFN' – just write back ‘BBL'.

There is no doubt that online dating can put you in touch with some great people and you may just end up finding your Prince Charming or Dream Girl as the case may be. However, online dating is not without its risks. This is why I have put together these online dating safety tips which will help you to have a fun experience, while keeping yourself out of harms way.

1. Your safety lesson in online dating starts from your profile itself. Make sure not to reveal exact personal details (real name, telephone numbers, street addresses etc) in your profile for everyone to see. For the first few weeks you should communicate with other daters only through the message system that is available on the sites. This personal messaging system keeps your name and contact details anonymous so that you can get to know the other person without revealing your true identity. Once you feel you know someone well enough, you can then disclose your personal details and also set up a date. And in case you do end up communicating with someone who turns out to be a creep (they are unfortunately unavoidable), your real identity will be protected.

2. Once you do set up a date with an online friend, always ensure that you do not ask them to come over to your home on the first date itself. No, you should not even have them pick you up at home. Instead, arrange to meet up at the designated spot.

3. If you have a friend who is also into online dating, you could get together with your friend and have a double date. This way, you won't be alone when you meet your online friend, and you will also have someone to get away with in case your date turns out to be a bore!

4. Never ever agree to have your first date in a private or secluded spot. You may think that this is very basic advice, but you'll be amazed (perhaps shocked may be a better word!) to know that countless people still make this mistake and end up in prospectively dangerous situations. You should pick an open and public place for your date; say a restaurant, the park, etc. If you do decide to go to another place with your date, do not get into the car with them. Take your own vehicle or call and ask a friend to take you there. Yes, all this may seem like too much trouble, but better to be safe than sorry!

5. Avoid drinking alcohol on your first date. If you must, make sure you have just a couple of drinks and no more. Ask the waiter or the bar tender to serve you. If you have left the drink for any reason, perhaps to visit the rest room, do not have the same drink when you do return.

6. Before you leave for your date, make sure a friend or relative knows where you are going and when to expect you back. If something untoward does happen, you at least know that someone will be out looking for you.

Thus, by keeping these online dating safety tips in mind, you can rest easy that you are doing all you can to protect yourself. And with that worry off your mind, you are free to go out and have a whale of a time with your new online date!

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About Author

Both Alan Lim & Max Adams are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alan Lim has sinced written about articles on various topics from Colorado Springs Refinance, Flirting Tips and Online Dating. or. Alan Lim's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.

Max Adams has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Dating. Single and Looking? Tired of the Bar Scene? Curious about Online Dating Services? (. Max Adams's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.