Q
Dear Pearl, what do you think about online romances? I am not a spring chicken anymore, and have been chatting to guys online since the ou days of MXit.
Obviously today there’s all kinds of other dating apps and internet chat rooms. I have now been talking to an oulike outjie and sommer feel the first flutters of love in my stomach.
But something feels a little strange, because every time I ask him to meet me in town he says he can’t come. Daar’s altyd ’n excuse. Am I just being too paranoid, or should I slow down and wait for him?
From Alice
A
Listen Alice, Auntie might be a bit ou doos, but I think if you have not even met this guy in real life, speaking about love might be a bit versin.
Sure, you probably have a lekker dik crush on this ou, and Auntie gets that. We all feel so kwaai when someone gives us attention and tunes us they like us and all those dinge.
But be careful, the online dating and chatting scene can be a terrible place.
You mos saw in this week’s Daily Voice about that poor man from America who flew all the way to the Cape agter ’n girl aan, and when he got here he found out she has been conning him.
There are loads of cases like this. Sometimes it’s even worse, with the scammer actually getting you to give them money. So pasop! At least you sound like you are not new to the online game, and Auntie assumes you have a head on your shoulders so you won’t fall for liegbekke.
Just the fact that you think something feels strange, is raising red flags for Auntie.
Us women mos know when something is not right. Trust your gut. On the other hand, you did not tell Auntie how long you have been chatting with this guy. Maybe he is also just being cautious. My advice is not to rush into things.
Take things slow and keep chatting. But at some stage he has got to start sharing some personal details and meet you. Chat openly to him about your concerns and see if he shares them. When you meet, make sure it’s in a public place, and sommer take along a friend.
Also tell someone you trust that you are going to meet this guy, and that they must check in on you at a certain time.
Don’t verloor kop over a guy you are just chatting with online. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
Just be careful.