There are some basic rules of dating that apply whether you’re dating online or offline, but there are some that are unique to online dating. Let’s go over a few of them. Hint: they all start with being honest. Use Recent Photos It’s not fair to use a picture from your senior year of high school if you’re ten years past high school. Get a recent picture just for your profile. Have a friend take it, use your smartphone, or use the webcam on your laptop. You don’t need a professional headshot - and to be honest a professional headshot doesn’t really say who you really are. Whether we like it or not, people are visual creatures and if you lie about something as basic as your appearance, you aren’t going to be successful. It’s okay to show your best features, but don’t look so different in your profile that they won’t know who you are if they see you in person. Let Your Freak Flag Fly Before you even go on a date, if you know that you have certain issues, fetishes or social diffe