Quiz your friendships - who is playing games

Game playing is as old as civilization. Positive games enhance the relationship, while negative games can damage the relationship. Let me give you an example of positive game. You know that one of your friends is suffering from inferiority. You play the game of appreciating him/her at every opportunity. This can help your friend regain self-esteem. This game playing is good. Most of the positive games are played consciously, while a majority of negative games are played subconsciously. Let us talk about one of them.

I am better than you and others. This game is played at two levels. I am better at one level and you all have some deficiencies at the other level. Those who need to get self-esteem play this game. They have a very low self esteem and need to prove that they are good. The only way they find is in putting down others and raising ones profile.

This and such other games can damage friendships. You have friends to share pains and pleasures. Your friends are not there to get hit by your criticism. They would avoid you after sometime. Bitter feelings would develop between the game player and the friends and the friends will surely and slowly move away. This game can be dangerous if played by the boss in office. There is no escape there. Once you realize that your boss is playing this game you can look at his/her behavior clinically and remain unaffected. The remedy in all the situations is to watch the game and remain unaffected by it. If possible, talk to your friend and boss and tell them about the way the game is being played by them. That may help them find their self-esteem in other ways.

Online dating safety make sure your safe

So you’ve decided to set up a uk dating profile online... (If you haven't, what are you waiting for?) What Happens now? Sit back and wait for the emails to flow in, or search for someone, the choice is yours. Whatever you choose to do, here are a few practical guidelines to think about.

Flirting and dating on-line is no different to doing it off-line, just a lot safer and easier if you do it right. Most of the 'rules' are common sense. Your mother was most probably right - you just don't have to admit it.

Creating The Right Impression

Make sure your profile is not misleading. Give the wrong idea and you'll be sure to get the wrong response or no responses at all.

Think About What You Say

So, you've spotted a singleton that you want to contact online. But what do you say? It's important to try and make the right impression when first making contact online, as you may only get once chance to get it right!

• Be Clear - Words and phrases can be interpreted in many different ways, so when drafting your message try and be as clear as you can to avoid any misinterpretation.

• Be Concise - Don't attempt to write a long winded message that needs its own chapters, a few well written sentences is enough to make an initial introduction.

• Ask Questions - A couple of questions before signing off gives the recipient more of an incentive to respond to you, and also gives them something to talk to you about in their response.

• Keep Momentum - Once initial contact has been made, its vital to keep momentum going, keep asking questions and find out things you have in common to keep conversation flowing.

• Be Friendly and Polite - Cracking bad jokes, excessive swearing, or voicing strong and possibly controversial opinions may not get you off onto the right foot.

• Be Positive - There is nothing worse than a singleton droning on about negative experiences, be it in relationships or other aspects of their life. You may risk sounding negative, depressive, or negative which isn't appealing.

Personal Details

The greatest thing about being online is the safety and privacy it affords you. Just be careful! When you start corresponding with people don't give out your personal details too early. Build up a sense of mutual trust first. Keep your last name, telephone number, email address, place of work and exact family details private until you are ready to share them.

Don't be Pushed

Watch out for people pressing you for your personal details too early and too often. Also, hang back on meeting off-line until you are ready.

Inconsistencies

keep an eye out for changes in content and style in the messages you receive. If Mr Loving Kindness suddenly starts sounding like Carlos the Jackal on testosterone it may be an idea to back off or move on.

Dating Scams what can I do to protect myself?

• only use a reputable online dating or chat service and follow the basic safety tips for online dating

• be sceptical and ask yourself simple questions like, 'why am I the only person who can help them but I have just met them?'

• test your date - ask them lots of questions, try to phone them or post them something or possibly suggest meeting them. If all attempts fail, you are probably dealing with a scammer.

Meeting Off-Line

This is the big one! You mailed each other, chatted and are ready to take the plunge and meet for real. Whilst taking your brother from the commandos with you may ensure your safety, chances are your date may get nervous, or prefer him to you!

Make your first few meetings in public places, ideally at lunchtime if you can. If you have a mobile phone takes it with you and possibly take a pre-arranged call. Tell someone where you are going and try to have plans for after your date - don't be caught out with "so what are you doing after dinner?". Have your answer ready. Don't give out your home or work address and don't give in to pressure.

One of the best places to meet someone for the first time is in a city or town centre coffee shop. Tell the person you are meeting at the outset that you only have half an hour to spare, and then if things are not going well or you feel uncomfortable with them, you can make your excuses without causing any offence. If you are both getting on fine, then you can just extend the "half hour" for as long as you wish.

And guys, all this applies to you too. The chances of being taken for a ride by women may be less, but don't discount it.

Most importantly, relax, have fun and keep things safe.

Mixed love relationships have a certain special spark

Mixed love is a fantastic example of how true love conquers all as it breaks the bonds and rises above discrimination, alienation, and disapproval. Now more than ever before, the 21st century is seeing interracial couples date, live together and marry. With each passing decade, the unspoken mixed love taboos of the past are being placed in history books and buried with the older generations.

There is no reason why anyone should have to limit themselves to only experience dating with their own ethnic group, when so many other fantastic romances and rewarding relationships await them through international dating.

You may be wondering how if you are a black, white, Eurasian, etc. you could become connected and date others from different culture backgrounds, especially if you haven't the first idea how you would approach someone else without feeling strange or awkward in person. The answer is to get connected with an online dating service that works to get you in touch with different people, who are interested in seeking relationships with someone just like you.

For instance, Love Empire is an online dating community that allows you to set up a profile and search for others who have similar interests as you. Of course not everyone you meet is going to interest you, or you them, but at least with an online dating community, you can search for potential dates on your own terms, without having to worry about the interference of anyone else. This provides you with an exceptional chance of experiencing mixed love romances that may be just what you were looking for.

Regardless of your cultural background, black, white, Eurasian, etc., there are many online dating mixed love success stories at Love Empire, so there is no reason why you can't be another success story if you play it smart, are honest with your feelings, and enjoy the company of your date.

Of course, like anyone you meet, there is always risk involved, and there will always be someone who does not approve of your relationship, especially if you are dating someone from a different ethnic background. However, as long as you take your dating slow, and discover how much you truly care for the person, there is no reason why you can't rise above any challenge that presents itself.

Without question, mixed love relationships have a certain special spark that can be captured by no other cultural pairing. And it is not because multicultural relationships are rebellious or made to prove a point as they sometimes were in the 1960's, or are considered the latest fad as some where in the 1980's; on the contrary, interracial relationships today are a sign of a new age that shows you don't need to be of a certain colour or gender to find love, you just need to meet the right person.