by Craig Williamson

Created on: February 20, 2009   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

In this present age of on-line everything, it's no surprise that it no longer surprises us when two people meet on line. In the gay community, on-line hook-ups and dating have long ago left the world of the desperate personal add, and have actually become the mainstream, perhaps to the point where some gays find it weird to actually meet someone in person before chatting to him on line. It's become so common, that sometimes gay men and women forget that there is some risk involved. Beyond the issue of safety, there is also the chance of simply meeting someone who just isn't as good in person as he or she seemed on-line, and of course the risk of a broken heart. Who hasn't met the hunk of his dreams on a chat service only to find out Mr. Stud is 40 years older than his profile picture, married, missing two eyes and smells like a pet rabbit.

The other experience that a lot of us have is regarding compatibility. An incomplete, or an inaccurate profile can attract the wrong kind of person or lead to disappointment. Really, who wants to travel half-way across the city to find out that you both just aren't looking for the same thing.

With that in mind, let's take a look at my top 10 gay Internet dating tips for 2009

1. Be honest about what you are looking for. I can't stress this one enough. So often gay dating involves these complicated rituals of bait and switch that just waste time and kill the mood. If you are looking for sex only, it's better to let the other guy know that fairly early on. If you are not looking for sex, it's also a good idea to make that clear. Communication is key...but...(and this brings me to number 2.)

2. Don't be pathetic. No one wants to hear your life story five minutes into your first on-line conversation. Similarly, no one wants to hear about how lonely you are and how all of your dates never work out. If you talk like a loser, people will think you are. Don't move too quickly in on line dating. Why not start out with a few meaningless greetings, the same way as you would do if you met him in person? Or, if it's your thing, skip right to the sex talk. Don't bore him to death with stories of your mother, or scare him with stories of your father. If you develop something meaningful, there will be lots of time to talk about everything.

3. Be honest about what you look like, what you do and what you smell like. If you are a little fat, or a little grey, or your backside just isn't as...hmmm "firm" as it once was, don't gloss it over too much.

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