SEVADom
Posts: 37
Joined: 2/3/2006 Status: offline
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I have no problem at all if a person I am talking with continues to talk with others. It would be courteous, although certainly not a requirement, if that person let me know one way or another whether or not this is the case -- and a nice compliment / encouragement if they choose to 'go exclusive.' However, I am not looking for a play buddy; I'm looking for someone for a monogamous LTR. And, it's highly likely (although not certain) that the person I find will be at the other end of a flight. Because of this, by the time we actually meet, she and I probably will know each other about as well via other means (email, phone, IM) as it's reasonably possible to get. That being said, if we agree after that first meeting that we still are probably a "go," that's when I'd expect both of us to limit communications of the serious search type (not other communications, of course) to just each other ... even if the time until one of us can relocate will be lengthy. As it happens, when I get to the point where long-distance talking becomes serious enough that I (1) am reasonably certain the person is not a fake, and (2) am of the opinion that there's at least a really good chance that a first meeting will occur, I normally unilaterally limit my own communications (i.e., suspend active searching) -- and say so. But that's just me; doing so does not obligate the other person to do the same. Regarding my giving out identifying information, I see at least three risks: (1) being outed without my consent, (2) some variety of identity theft, and (3) some type of stalking. I'm personally only concerned about (2), although the others certainly are valid. So, before any meeting took place, I'd be happy to give the other person lots of identification, but not to the point of facilitating identity theft (in the unlikely but possible case that a faker is sufficiently convincing and persistent over a long period that I don't figure it out). Having your home address and telephone number is not, in my opinion, a significant risk in the area of identity theft. Someone else having your SSN or driver's license number is such a risk, and I will not give it out, period. To me, a request for this particular information it is a bright, waving red flag -- since it isn't any better than my address as far as the "safety" aspect, and is an open door to identity theft. Regarding safe calls: since I personally know that I'm not a danger to others, I would not insist on the other person setting up safe calls, at least for that reason. On the other hand, I absolutely would not object to, and would be happy to facilitate and cooperate with, any safe call setup that my partner would be inclined to have if she at all felt the need to do so in order to feel safe. If she was at all nervous about the meeting, I would suggest setting up safe calls, but only for her own peace of mind. I don't disagree with the recommendations of others, above, that safe calls are an excellent idea -- but here I am talking about the dynamic between another person and me, rather than making recommendations for another person who is seeing an unknown rather than me. The above is my take, for me; others have different priorities (as many have stated), and for them the requirements to feel safe may be more stringent.
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