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Kiss the screen alreadyPosted by Ralph Jennings on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 5:00 PM
 Wang Ba Dan? This is one of a series of letters written in the years 2002 to 2006 to a foreign advice columnist at 21st Century, an English newspaper published weekly by the China Daily. Online dating has replaced nights out for the Internet-dependent. Chinese women use chat rooms, instant messengers, Facebook or crotchety old e-mail to pursue fantasy romances consistent with images they see in movies. Some avoid meeting men behind the dialogue boxes in case they spoil the fantasy by ordering cheap food on dates or getting nervous while talking. They’d hate to find out that he’s 55 instead of 25 as he claims. Men, especially shy ones, go online to meet women without risking the nervous stutters or red faces that might mar actual dates. Both parties can review their lines and delete anything off-key before hitting "send." They upload only their best digital self-portraits, or someone else's. But questions about the other side’s offline presence persist: Student letters to a foreign agony uncleDear Ralph, I am a third-year university student. I have a boyfriend from California. We met via Internet messenger and chatted for about half a year. He is working as a musician and a part-time doctor. We have seen each other's photos. He is very thoughtful and has said he loves me very much. This April (2004), he will come to Hong Kong and may come to see me. I am glad, but still worry that my English is limited and that I can't express myself very well. Also, what if the culture and lifestyle are different between us? To some extent, I love him also, but I can't help worrying about the future. Should I take this love seriously? -Maggie, Hunan province |
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Comments on Kiss the screen already
I signed up for QQ recently - have many many cute girl!
But strangely, I have not had much interest. :(
I guess the cute girl think my photo is fake - copied from some male model agency website perhaps.
Dear Ralph, how can I let them know it is really me?!?
Of course you should take it seriously, Maggie! musician and a part-time doctor?! Doctor of Love!
I know that it's becoming a popular phenomenon to "date" across the internet and chatrooms, but I'm not sure if it's the right way. Of course, you will get to know someone really well, but who are the persons sitting behind their computers that are too afraid to communicate with other persons in real life? You have to ask yourself this question. Do you really want to get involved with someone like that? And also, how often do you hear about an older person connecting with younger girls to take advantage of them? You have to be really careful what you tell someone who you don't really know.
On the other hand, I think there are cases in which people find the right person online. But I think this is very rare. And still, you have to be careful with what you give away. Maybe after a long period of time, when you do feel you "know" that person, that you can give away more of yourself. But you can never be too careful, right?
Hi, Maggie, we stand same Situation, I and girlfriend met via QQ form Jan.2008, we are phoning each, i know i like her, and i tell her my feeling and warning this is a web-mate, but i can not control myself, she too, before chinese tradtional new year Festival i went to nanjing for meet her, we are first meet in KFC of nanjing, when i see her, i know loving! i love her, she have the same worry to you at begin, she family oppose we together, and she is losing herself in comments of familiy, she try to loving, but there are so many thing must deal, example job, registered permanent residence etc., now i try to deal this thing, although this is difficult, but i'm happy, and strive eliminate her worry.
truly, i love her forever!
But I am not encourage you to look like me to be the same, love is a major part of life, not all, everything in you hand.
a part time doctor? I call shenanigans...SHENANIGANS!!!