You may wonder what you will find to talk about or discuss but the possibilities are endless.

Sharing recipes and bidding at auctions are both popular online activities and both these activities can help ‘break the ice' with your online date. Most men I know do a little more cooking than turning sausages at the occasional bar-b-q !

It makes a pleasant change to talk about something other than the weather.

In England it seems to be rain, rain and then more rain. So nothing interesting there but I think everyone can talk about food. You can also exchange your favourite recipes with each other or if you don't want to share your secret recipe then search the web for ‘free recipes ‘and share those instead.

Share photographs of your culinary creations as well if you wish.

I think you can find almost anything on eBay, so enter a search for memorabilia from an era that you have in common and share photos of old games, toys and records. Reminisce and take a walk down memory lane together sharing any tales that may be relevant.

Create an online photo album for your online date. Include in it favourite digital photos of any countries you may have visited, your pets, favourite flowers, your dream car or anything else that interests you then you will have plenty to discuss or chat about. Suggest to your date that it may be nice if they did likewise. In the early days do not include personal photos like your car or your house, always be cautious. Share personal details only when you feel that you know your online date.

If you search the web for ‘free online greetings cards' you will find there are quite a number of sites indexed for that search term and some are very good. Send your online date a fun card to brighten his/her day and they will be flattered that you were thinking of them. You never have to meet anyone until you are ready and you are familiar and comfortable with your online date.

The same rules apply to online dating as in offline dating, never forget your manners

Be courteous and listen to what is said to you and show an interest. Always treat people with the same respect that you would like to be given.

Do not type in all capital letters as online this is considered to be shouting and is rude.

Most online dating members provide a photograph so compliment the way she/he looks.(Guys like compliments too, just something simple like you think he's got lovely teeth ,a nice tan or a lovely smile.)

Don't be too heavy, just have fun..Even if you have had a bad day concentrate on the nice things that have happened however small. Even if the only nice thing to happen in your day is to talk to your online date then let them know.