No offense to our new member, but I would recommend that any potential suitors insist on a video chat almost right away, before you invest too much time and/or emotion.

If this new member is for real, she won't mind video chatting with her suitor anyhow. But if it's a scam, it would be the kiss of death. You can't fake a video chat.

Pictures are obviously too easy to fake, and promises/excuses need to be dealt with almost mercilessly. She lives in the boonies and has only dial-up Internet? Good bye. Her computer is broken? Good bye. She doesn't have a tablet, phone, or webcam on her PC? Good bye then. And here's the best one, that only a charitable Trad Catholic would be naive enough to fall for: "I'm just too feminine and shy to show off my face in a video chat. I'm just too modest and demur for that." Again, as tempting as it would be to gush with love for the precious girl who said that, DON'T FALL FOR IT. :)

When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
I'm not an old man yet, but I'm halfway there. And I've already learned how true this old proverb is!

I've seen men who are quite intelligent become drooling idiots when a woman is at stake. For example: I know one young man who waited MONTHS to finally contact a "woman" by e-mail, phone, or in person. She didn't exist, but this compulsive liar co-worker had convinced this young man that she was the perfect girl for him -- and she was waiting for him! But thing after thing conspired to prevent their meeting...It was as bad as a soap opera. Anyone with a brain knew the whole thing was fake, but this young man just wouldn't admit it.

It's too easy to pretend you're a female, for a psychology experiment, "lulz", or a similar reason.

I remember back before the Internet, when I was 15, my best friend/cousin (who didn't have a computer) came over and used my computer to sign up for a free account on the BBS I was a member of: but he claimed to be a female. You should have seen how much attention he got! It was interesting in a way...

I think anyone who's been on the Internet very long knows he should be careful and prudent.

Quote from: Matthew

It's too easy to pretend you're a female, for a psychology experiment, "lulz", or a similar reason.

It's called "catfishing".  

Yeah, it's been around since before the Internet. It's just too easy with the anonymity provided by computer-based communications (bulletin boards, and now the Internet with chat rooms, etc.)

Phone calls help, but it's better to get a video chat. That way you know that someone else isn't sitting next to her coaching her what to say. It could all be a game.

you guys don't take internet "dating" seriously do you?

"dating", no. "courtship", yes.

I certainly took online courtship seriously back in the day -- I met my wife online. I lived in Illinois and she lived in Texas. If it weren't for the Internet I might still be single, or at least I would be much less happy than I am today.

That post is too short.  Has to be a dude. lol

you guys don't take internet "dating" seriously do you?

Internet can be a perfect medium to court a spouse. The dating pool can be a cesspool in many places.

I think things have changed so much in just 10 years that online dating has overtaken face to face for initial contact.

A Catholic singles website is essential, especially if you're a Trad. You're basically looking for a needle in a haystack, because there most likely will not be a potential suitor within your own parish, so you need a medium to communicate with people in other parts of the country - or, even the world!

If it weren't for a Catholic website, I would not have met my spouse either!

you guys don't take internet "dating" seriously do you?

We live in a different world. This reeks of false traditionalism. Where are you going to find a suitable wife? Your local parish -- good luck! As long as you're fine with a mid-twenties 6/10 with 4 dormant hpv strains. NO thanks!