When you’re considering whether or not to date someone you’ve met online, it’s natural to want to do a little research first. After all, this is someone you might be spending a lot of time with, and you want to make sure you’re making the best decision possible. But how much research is too much? How far should you go in order to get to know this person?
There’s no easy answer, but there are some things to keep in mind as you decide how much investigating to do. First of all, it’s important to remember that everyone has baggage. Even if the person seems perfect on the surface, they almost certainly have some skeletons in their closet. So don’t expect them to be perfect – nobody is.
Second of all, don’t forget that getting to know someone takes time. You can’t learn everything about them from a few Google searches. It’s better to take things slowly and let the relationship grow organically. If it turns out that the person isn’t right for you, then hopefully, you’ll figure that out sooner rather than later.
But ultimately, only you can decide how much research is right for you. Trust your gut instinct and go with what feels comfortable. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Research a Potential Date
If you want to try and find out more about someone you’re interested in dating, there are a few things you can do:
Use the Almighty Google
One of the easiest ways to learn more about someone is to simply type their name into a search engine like Google. This will pull up any public information about them, which can be helpful in getting to know them better. Just keep in mind that not everything you find will be accurate, and some of it may be out of date.
Things to Search For:
– Their full name, in quotes (this will help you find their official website if they have one)
– News stories about them (you can add the word “scandal” to help weed out any negative press)
– Any public records about them (including court records and property ownership)
Check Out Their Social Media Accounts
In this day and age, most people have some kind of social media presence. So if you’re curious about someone, try checking out their accounts on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Just be respectful – don’t snoop through their private messages or post anything about them without their permission.
Go through their posts and pictures and look for any red flags. If they seem like a generally good person, then you’re probably in the clear. But if you see anything that makes you uneasy, it might be worth reconsidering things.
Things to watch out for include:
– Inappropriate comments
– A history of violence or aggression
– Signs of drug or alcohol abuse
– Extreme political views
– Harassing other people online
Do a Background Check
If you want to take things a step further, you can always do a background check. This will give you access to criminal records, addresses, and other public information. Just be aware that this is a very invasive step, and it’s important to get the person’s permission before doing anything like this.
Background checks can be helpful in some situations, but they’re not always necessary. Only go forward with this step if you’re sure it’s what you want to do. Sometimes, however, it might not be worth the effort. After all, you can’t learn everything about someone from a background check – only the bare facts.
Talk to People They Know
If you know anyone who knows the person you’re interested in, it can’t hurt to ask them for their opinion. This is especially true if you have mutual friends. People are usually happy to share what they know, so don’t be afraid to ask around.
Just remember that not everyone will be forthcoming with information. And even if they are, take everything with a grain of salt. People tend to view others in different ways, so it’s possible that someone’s friend might not have the best insight into their character.
Still, it’s worth getting as many opinions as you can before making a decision one way or another.
In the end, only you can decide how much research is right for you. Trust your gut instinct and go with what feels comfortable. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
