Are online relationships worth it?

[Vilnius]

I've been talking to a girl in another country for a while and over time she's shown interest in me. We've both exchanged pictures and talked over Skype before. I'm wondering if you guys think online dating is worth a try. Does anyone here have any advice, or maybe even some stories to tell?

[AnnaThaBabe]

You should be careful I think of people not being who they claim to be, but i think its hard to maintain a relationship on the internet, but if you both really like eachother it could be worth a shot, definetly. If it doesnt work out you might be good friends for a long time too.

[Harley Quinn]

When it comes to online relationships or LDR's, there has to be a certain element of compromise with everything. If you're willing to work at it, then yes, they can work out but more often than not, they don't. You have to be very clear with your intentions from the get go otherwise you'll end up breaking up and never speaking again - worse case scenario anyway. Depends on how committed you are to a degree, you have to realise it's not as easy as it sounds and most times, it won't actually work. You will crave the physical touch and that isn't possible most of the time. You have to learn to communicate, which can be a task in itself. If you want it, and they want it and you're both ready to make some sacrifices, it can work. However, it takes a lot of effort to maintain it and it's a painful experience most of the time. You learn to love them for who they are, not what they look like which is a good thing. However, with skype and all the technology nowadays, it does make it easier to be successful.

[ChrisTJ]

The whole online relationship thing is something only you can answer. Having an online relationship or any long distance relationship where you won't see each other all that often requires a heck of a lot of trust and commitment. Can you trust that 1) They really are who they say they are? - Facebooks and Twitter profiles are so easily faked these days and it's been know for people to talk to someone for years, even get engaged to someone who wasn't actually real. 2) If you know for a fact they are real, can you trust them not to cheat? When you are away from someone for a length of time and aren't in the same friendship circles it' far too easy to cheat.

LDRs are very hard work and require dedication and commitment but if you feel she's worth it, ride on. :)

[Apollo.]

I don't believe a relationship as in being a couple can be formed online tbh. Friends is the most I believe in online, maybe its not all about sex but you still need some kind of physical connection.

[Melodic]

Honesty, online relationships are pretty tricky. It takes a lot of team work, relationship goals, contact, and patience. Statically speaking, a lot of LDRS never last. However, every couple is different, and you honestly will never know until you try.

[Gumleaf]

When it comes to online relationships or LDR's, there has to be a certain element of compromise with everything. If you're willing to work at it, then yes, they can work out but more often than not, they don't. You have to be very clear with your intentions from the get go otherwise you'll end up breaking up and never speaking again - worse case scenario anyway. Depends on how committed you are to a degree, you have to realise it's not as easy as it sounds and most times, it won't actually work. You will crave the physical touch and that isn't possible most of the time. You have to learn to communicate, which can be a task in itself. If you want it, and they want it and you're both ready to make some sacrifices, it can work. However, it takes a lot of effort to maintain it and it's a painful experience most of the time. You learn to love them for who they are, not what they look like which is a good thing. However, with skype and all the technology nowadays, it does make it easier to be successful.

I agree totally with Siobhan. One thing I would add is that you need to have a realistic time frame worked out of when you'll see each other in person. Without that, it is highly unlikely that the relationship would last longer term because the basis of relationships is to be physically together, and if that isn't longer term realistically possible, then I think the relationship will die off over a period of time.

[Bull]

I have an amazing on line relationship with a wonderful, sweet, person who lives not only on another continent, but in a different hemisphere. So for me the answer is a diffident YES!

[rtw1997]

Personally, I'd stay away from it. I don't see it as a real relationship, but if you want to do it, who am I to tell you no.

[Cognizant]

When it comes to online relationships or LDR's, there has to be a certain element of compromise with everything. If you're willing to work at it, then yes, they can work out but more often than not, they don't. You have to be very clear with your intentions from the get go otherwise you'll end up breaking up and never speaking again - worse case scenario anyway. Depends on how committed you are to a degree, you have to realise it's not as easy as it sounds and most times, it won't actually work. You will crave the physical touch and that isn't possible most of the time. You have to learn to communicate, which can be a task in itself. If you want it, and they want it and you're both ready to make some sacrifices, it can work. However, it takes a lot of effort to maintain it and it's a painful experience most of the time. You learn to love them for who they are, not what they look like which is a good thing. However, with skype and all the technology nowadays, it does make it easier to be successful.

This. I wasn't able to stay strong and deal with the sacrifices, so our relationship crumbled pretty fast. But if you're committed, it can work somewhat.

[Satsuki]

The whole online relationship thing is something only you can answer. Having an online relationship or any long distance relationship where you won't see each other all that often requires a heck of a lot of trust and commitment. Can you trust that 1) They really are who they say they are? - Facebooks and Twitter profiles are so easily faked these days and it's been know for people to talk to someone for years, even get engaged to someone who wasn't actually real. 2) If you know for a fact they are real, can you trust them not to cheat? When you are away from someone for a length of time and aren't in the same friendship circles it' far too easy to cheat.

LDRs are very hard work and require dedication and commitment but if you feel she's worth it, ride on. :)

You said what iwas going to say xD