Merely ten years ago, the lines of communication throughout affectionate courtship were easy (the greatest issue was the length of time to wait before calling, a conundrum shown painfully by Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in 1996’s Swingers). These days, with text messaging, e-mail, online chatting, social networks and internet dating, it is a veritable minefield: Make one incorrect digital move and you are destroyed. All of this brand new technology requires an up-to-date list of dating guidelines. Here are the dos and don’ts of love within the age of online dating sites.

DON’T request an initial date by way of email
It is a regressive technique. Nearly everybody wants to feel exclusive whenever they are asked out on a very first date. Why cheapen it through the use of e-mail?

DO send an email following a fantastic very first date
It is the morning right after a fantastic date and you are on cloud nine. Should your gut say it is too early to phone them, a brief “I had a wonderful time” e-mail is the right way to display interest without coming across as eager. It is an open-ended invite to a second date, yet classy approach.

DON’T break up with an individual by way of e-mail
If you are ending it with somebody you met on the internet and just dated two times, e-mail is okay. If you went on a lot more than five dates, allow your mouth—not your fingers—do the actual dumping.

DO play it cool whenever e-mailing a crush
You mustered all of your courage and sent an e-mail. Twenty-four hours later, still absolutely no response and you are full of a lot more anxiety than a Bachelorette awaiting the final rose. Calm down and subdue the longing to e-mail again in order to follow up with an additional e-mail if you have not heard back the very next day. A good rule would be to wait a few days, then e-mail one (and just one) additional time. Otherwise, you run the risk of looking eager.

DON’T overexpose yourself on the internet
Online dating is a kind of self-marketing. You could set up a profile on each personals website available, however some singles search several sites, meaning your picture might appear often. Discover the differences among each website and attempt them individually.

DON’T poke a possible paramour
So you are cruising on the internet and discover someone promising. The last thing you want to do is appear like a weirdo. Sending someone a “wink” or perhaps a “poke” is one step short of getting your buddy to offer a note. Additionally, it shows you cannot think of something fascinating to say. Be more direct with an e-mail and point out the reason why you are interested—it not only speaks of confidence, it shows you read their profile in the first place.

DO create an attention-grabbing profile (but not too attention-grabbing)
If you are dating on the internet, you are competing along with countless other singles. With regards to pictures, keep it to five or less; make sure you include a clear head shot and full-body picture.