CYBERFLIRTING

Today’s social networking scene is different. Question: you have a 1k plus of your friends on Facebook but how many of them are real? Where are they when you need help? You always add the pretty ones, always stalking of the pictures of your crushes. Tsk Tsk Tsk…. The line between your offline and online self is increasingly blurry, and uncovering the real person behind the username only takes a bit of Googling. This means your online version should reflect nicely on your real self – you don’t want to be known as the guy who still uses “ASL” and cheesy pickup lines like some premature DOM.

                Fortunately, I saved you from incurring the cyber version of bitchslap. Now clean up your profile picture (topless shots taken in your bathroom or bed won’t get you anywhere), make sure your grammar is shipshape and avoid typing in jejemon, seriously!!! And follow these handy dos and don’ts and you might just luck out dude!

DO BE CASUAL. Let’s say you stumble upon a blog written a girl who, judging from her posted pictures is an approachable version of Megan Fox. Or maybe a friend of a friend comments on their Facebook wall, and behold this friend is a stunner! How to initiate an introduction? In a Facebook situation, its best to add the person first – but be sure to include a short and friendly message so that you don’t appear to be creepy. Comment on their profile pic, ask where it was taken, or say they had a really interesting post. From their response to your message or comment you can already gauge if this person is friendly or If there’s a possibility that you’re they’re type. Basically, you’ll know immediately if it’s worth pursuing or not.

DON’T PILE ON THE FLATTERY IN YOUR FIRST MESSAGE. Girls find this an instant turn-off. I had a friend who met and had a yearlong relationship with a guy she met on Yahoo Messenger, says: “ its creepy if it’s the first time you’ll talk to someone and the first thing he notices is how sexy/pretty you are. I stay away with cheesy pickup lines like ‘Hey, you’re so hot or Nice smile!”. Another friend of mine says:”Pick-up lines and cheesy compliments are OA, I find it so high school.” Pretty girls know they’re pretty. They want you to or at least appear to like them for what’s inside.

DO RESEARCH. Read the person’s blog post and status updates. Learn their interests and try to work that into your conversations. Communications experts call this “mirroring.” Make it appear that you just discovered you both have shared interest, like a favorite movie or TV show. Then subtly work in a comment about watching  it late at night, which can flow toward flirting.

DON’T IMMEDIATELY ASK FOR THEIR NUMBER OR TO MEET UP.