I must take exception with this comment. Quite a few people have met on the internet and gotten involved with people. Among them myself and one of our moderators and there are countless others. Just because this is not how you would chose to engage in a relationship with anther person is no cause to insult those who do.

It is this kind of prejudiced, narrow-minded thinking that makes it so difficult for those of us who have found someone on-line. Many eventually do meet, and again citing one of our moderators as an example, are going to marry the person they met on-line.

You are operating under the mistaken notion that anyone you have not met face to face is a "complete stranger." My best friend is a guy who lives in Minnesota that I have never met face-to-face. He probably knows more about me than anyone I know in "real life." Years ago people became pen pals and got to know people through letters. This is the same kind of thing; the process is just speeded up thanks to the internet.

You are also assuming that people in on-iine relationships (I am assuming here you assume this) only communicate via e-mail or typing in a chat program or posting on forums. Have you never heard of telephones, voice chat or web cams?

My point here is simple: do not be so derisive and insulting of something just because it is not for you. Also, it would be wise to not post something like that about something you obviously know nothing about.

For the record, if it has not already occurred, Lord Shield and Purre will be meeting "in person" in the next couple of weeks.

[ 02-08-2003, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Reeka ]

If my memory serves it is either within the week or next weekend, and I'm sure others would agree that internet relationships are just as valid.
An example might be Cloudy, I'm sure everyone knows how well it turned out for her.

I would agree that internet relationships can be valuable. I have a small few of close friends I've met on the net (three I've met in person as well), and after two years I can say that my friendships are true-blue, no surprises. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yes, Nacht and I are an example of where an internet romance became real life in every way. I know this isn't how it works for all such connections and I don't even know that it is 'common' for people who hook up this way to end up together on a permanent basis, but from my own personal experience, it is possible.

For the record, I met Nacht on another board, we talked by voice connection, icq and phone for several months and then we decided to meet in person to see if things might work out on a more permanent basis. About a year after we met, he moved out here and we are planning a wedding. So it worked out just fine by my reckoning. ;) :D

internet relationships can work out but u just have to be cautious as we all do if ppl meet in person.. sheesh the one gal i thought was perfect actually turned out to be possessive and bossy.. wanted me to do everything for her while she did nothing in return.. but thats my story but that doesnt mean it cant work out over the internet... [img]smile.gif[/img]

There are also people like this, http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/story1c031102.html , who prey on lonely and trusting people on the internet. There are people who will tell you that they look like super models when in reality they are just average. There are some success stories, but how many horror stories are there? Not every relationship is peaches and cream. Last month my wife and I went to a gathering of her net friends. Lets just say that a lot of people had misrepresented themselves and a lot of people were disapointed with the reality of things. The internet is a great way to meet people , but it will never replace a gentle kiss or a comforting hug. You only see what people want you to see on the net and thinking that you can realy get to know someone without ever laying eyes on them just doesnt make any sense to me. I am sorry if I offended you , that wasnt my intention, but I cant change the way I feel about this.

Everything you say is true, HofJ, but it is also true of people in real life. It's not only online that people can misrepresent themselves, as many many poeple would tell you. Yes - it is true that conducting a lifelong relationship over the internet would be foolish, but that's why couples who meet on the net get together in real life. It is exactly so that they can find out more about the person they have developed feelings for.

Yes, deception is possible over the internet, just as it is possible in real life. Many women and men have been taken in by liars and cheats in RL relationships, but this doesn't drive anyone to suggest that RL relationships are something only 12-year olds do.

Nobody ever suggested that internet relationships are a fine be-all-and-end-all for a lifetime, but they are a completely valid strating point for a relationship. just as valid as meeting someone at a party, in a bar, whatever.

Oh, and I also think it's unfair to say "all internet relationships are dodgy" based on the experience of some people. If we looked at life this way, every relationship would be a joke. Every woman would be involved with a drug-addicted wife-beating child molester, and every man would be married to a serial adulterer who was constantly spending so much money they went bankrupt and cut up all of his clothes when he was late home from work.

You can't judge all (online) relationships based on the fact that *some* turn out horrendously badly any more than you could slate all real life relationships because *some* of them are horror stories.

in the locality of the susquehanna valley in pa a woman in manchester met online a man in manchester england (or it could be the other way around!) either way they fell for eachother and met, but she needed a kidney, he was her match for it. he has not only shared his kidney but now they share a life in marriage. i agree they are bad ppl preying out there, but there are good ppl too. through yahoo personals i met many ppl, one i talked to online and decided he wanted to meet in a too secluded place so i just put it off til it didn;t matter anymore. then i met my husband on there. no long distance relationship, at least not unlsee you call 50 miles long distance, but we are married now and soon to be a year! internet can work when used wisely

I recently met my boyfriend, "Calaethis Dragonsbane" in london. It was fantastic! There are internet success stories. I think I'm one of them so nyuh [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I am totally on Reeka's side with this. Who says we should limit our love lives to meeting in real life for the first time? So long as two people trust and love each other, who are you to say that they shouldn't have met on the internet HoJH?