Having been online longer than most, I've also been involved in my share
of relationships which have started out online. The following are some general
(and somewhat humorous) stages that I have seen relationships go through:
| Stage name |
What it means |
How it can crash and burn |
|---|
| Fumbling |
Trying to find some common ground to begin conversing around. This is the stage for the lame pickup lines like Hello, nice name and What brings you here |
No response - S/he thinks you're just another HNG (or looked at your profile to be sure you're just another HNG) |
| Amazement |
They responded! |
They took so long to respond that you left your keyboard and idle out before you have a chance to respond. When you finally get back, they're gone or have hooked up with someone else. |
| Building |
Here's where you talk to each other and find all your common interests. |
You realize that you have none. |
| Idolizing |
Knowing only the commonalities and good side of the other person, they seem very perfect |
They feel the same about you and turn into a stalker. |
| The Picture |
The first time you "see" each other |
The last time you ever want to "see" each other. |
| The Meeting |
Meeting for the first time. |
You find out they sent a picture of someone else. |
| Aftermath |
You met, you did the nasty, you went home to talk online and compare notes. |
Not only can't you find them in their usual haunts, but email to them bounces - User Unknown |
| Rebuilding |
After the letdown that was the first meeting, you realize that it wasn't really all that bad, and you still like each other. |
ditto |
| Second Coming |
Meeting for a second time... neither one of you ran away |
Here's where the true personalities come out |
| Explaining |
Now that the true personalities are out, things aren't so rosy |
S/he confesses... they're married and got caught this time. |
I personally haven't experienced beyond that often enough to make
any humorous observations.
For those curious, I have not experienced all of the ways to crash
and burn, some of them I have only heard of, and some of them I am
exagerating on. Despite the many pratfalls, meeting people online can
be very successful, especially if you have some interests which are
not mainstream but which are important for your partner(s) to share.
