Excellent matchfinder India marriage dating recommendations

India casual dating tricks and tips by matchfinder.in today: How to pick a matrimonial website to discover a lifelong partner? Falling love marriage rates have made individuals understand that may not be the greatest way to assure a happy marriage. Therefore, they’ve turned to Online Matrimonial Websites. No longer must you compromise with people and circumstances. Choose a site only if it possesses the following characteristic: Security: Choose a matrimonial website that’s reliable and secure. Whatever you tell them, they must keep it safe. These matrimonial sites shouldn’t have permission to disclose your details without authorization. The matrimonial websites must utilize privacy features to protect your information from members. Inexpensive: The matrimonial websites should provide affordable membership options for your needs. You should be able to purchase monthly or weekly search add-ons. See extra details at https://www.matchfinder.in/.

A person who is confident with their personality and traits will be more confident of you. They admire you for being yourself and believe in you. A person who is sure about themselves will always be able to consider their feelings and thoughts. THERE ARE indeed various means to deepen your bond with your special people and make the relationship stronger, but asking questions and finding answers together surely leads the list. Do you frequently find yourself stuck in the ball of questions but aren’t able to ask them your partner? Having uncomfortable conversations and asking questions to your partner can be a great way to strengthen your bond and know more about each other. Therefore, to help you we have compiled a list of some important deep questions that you must ask your partner that can deepen your bond and would help you know them better.

Don’t…be in a rush. It takes time for a relationship to develop. Get to know the person and take note of any red flags or signs that the person you’re dating isn’t up for a long-term relationship. If it doesn’t feel right, move on. Remember your self-worth and find something more compatible. Do…take time to think about your absolutes when it comes to relationships. Use this to focus on someone that has qualities you are looking for when dating. Do…love yourself. The first step to finding love is loving yourself. Be confident and appreciate how amazing you are. Do that and it will reflect to others. Believe in yourself, believe in the beauty of love, and believe the right person is out there for you.

As soon as the stay-at-home order hit, the dating game changed. Maybe you got Zoom-date fatigue or maybe you’re now determining who to date based on vaccination status. However, what’s going on in the world doesn’t have to harm your love life. In fact, it could even be beneficial. For example, dating during a pandemic meant focusing on an emotional connection first, since the physical connection and new-relationship excitement isn’t possible. You got to know who someone was without spending time and energy doing the actual dating. You learned to build slower connections (plus, it’s more foreplay, you know?) and staying at home became an opportunity to get to know other people with fewer distractions. The past two years have changed us in many ways, and the way you date (and prioritize what you want) can be one of them. Reevaluate what you’re looking for and how you want to date based on the lessons you’ve learned.

In reality, just being nice to a girl you like doesn’t convert her into your girlfriend magically. Don’t nurse fantasies of dating a girl while sticking around her and doing nice things hoping to get noticed. The best route to take – coupled with being nice to her – is to ask her out on a proper date. Let her know how you feel about her. This will let her know that you’re not just around her for casual friendship. If you don’t do this, there’s a high probability you’ll end up in the friendzone. Dating apps are convenient because they remove all the anxiety it takes to work up to a woman, build friendship, and ask her out on a date. But that convenience can quickly become addicting. And this isn’t a good thing for several reasons.

Studies show that intelligence is one of the major things women look at when choosing a romantic partner. And one of the reasons women find intelligence attractive, as many women have confessed, is how intelligence manifests in a man. For instance, if you’re in a conversation (or an argument) with an intelligent man, he’s able to show you how independent his mind is. Instead of just agreeing with everything the woman says, he’s going to present unique perspectives that are going to make the women look at the world differently. And this isn’t something most women come across every day. Furthermore, intelligent men are just more self-aware. They can handle conversations better and handle themselves properly. Women find all these charming.

Communicate your preferences: Share your needs and preferences early. Many times, people are concerned they will appear “needy” or “high-maintenance.” No, you are setting expectations. If your work requires you to be on virtual calls most of the day and you cannot text or call during the day, communicate this and let the other party know when you are available. If you prefer daily check-ins, even just a little text to say hi, let the person know. Are you punctual? Express your appreciation for being on time to dates. Are you constantly running late? Give your date a heads up and apologize in advance.

Repeat after me: Dating should be fun. It should not feel forced, boring, painful, or sad. If it’s not enjoyable, you’re either putting too much pressure on each date, feeling self-conscious about dating, or focusing on the wrong things. Remember that dating is not intended to have only one outcome. Every experience—whether it’s a date, Tinder conversation, or a few months of dating—brings you closer to clarity.

There’s something about the end of one year and the beginning of a new one that naturally inspires you to take stock of your old habits and start some smarter ones. This well-researched phenomenon is called the “fresh start effect” — landmarks, like a new year, motivate people to set goals. If your goal involves figuring out how to find love in 2022, I’ve got news for you: you don’t have to spend hours tirelessly swiping on those dating apps to attain that happily ever after. In fact, many of the best dating tips I have to offer have nothing to do with looking for other singles, but rather, working on yourself. The more time and effort you put into examining and changing the patterns that are keeping you “stuck,” the more likely you are to recognize real love with lasting potential when you find it. In short, it’s time to turn inward. What shortcomings may be preventing you from attracting the partner you desire? What unhealthy beliefs or tendencies are driving you toward toxic people? How can you build yourself up so that you have the confidence to go after what you want, and the resilience to handle rejection when it doesn’t work out?

Look — I get it. Not everyone is into texting. But the reality is that these channels of digital communication have become so prevalent that someone might take it personally if you aren’t getting back to them in a timely manner. So, here’s an opportunity for you to communicate! Tell your dates from the get-go what your communication style is so they can adjust their expectations. For example, you might say, “I’m not big on texting, except for quick things like solidifying plans, but just so you know I’m always down for a deep chat on the phone!”

Expert matchfinder Telugu marriage dating tips and tricks

High quality matrimony Marathi marriage dating recommendations: Don’t…dismiss someone after just one date! Instead of jumping to a conclusion, consider that the other person may have been extremely nervous or just having a bad day. Unless it is obvious things won’t work out, have a second date to really get a feel for that other person. Many successful marriages all started on a bad first date! Who knows, you could be one of them too, one day. Do…be adventurous! When it comes to planning a date, think outside the box and book an activity you haven’t done before. Need inspiration? Subscribe to the @made_my_date mailing list and let your inbox be filled with fun dating ideas. Discover even more information at https://www.matchfinder.in/tamil-matrimony.

How To Choose A Matrimony Site To Find A Life Partner? Falling love marriage rates have made individuals understand that may not be the greatest way to assure a happy marriage. Therefore, they’ve turned to Online Matrimonial Websites. No longer must you compromise with people and circumstances. This article lists 10 tips on how you should pick a good matrimonial site. Choose a site only if it possesses the following characteristics:

– A large number of profiles: Matrimonial websites must contain a large database of bride and groom profiles. Start by entering your basic data. They’ll show you profiles of registered people who match your search parameters.
– Simple registration: Registering for a matrimonial site should be easy. First, edit your name, gender, age, e-mail address, and mobile phone number. Fill out all registration data to receive the best-matched profiles. If you’re not obtaining the required results, modify your search criteria on the matrimonial website.
– Security: Choose a matrimonial website that’s reliable and secure. Whatever you tell them, they must keep it safe. These matrimonial sites shouldn’t have permission to disclose your details without authorization. The matrimonial websites must utilize privacy features to protect your information from members.
– Matrimonial sites must not encourage dating. They have a serious aim, thus only serious singles should be able to join up. You’ll probably meet someone on this matrimonial site seeking a groom or bride like you.
– Approachable: Matrimonial sites must enable users to communicate or video call before the meeting. Such discussions help reduce the nervousness and discomfort couples experience on their first encounter when parents arrange weddings.
– No Compromise: Registering with these matrimonial services means you don’t have to compromise while finding a companion. Find a suitable companion. Be specific in your search!
– Inexpensive: The matrimonial websites should provide affordable membership options for your needs. You should be able to purchase monthly or weekly search add-ons.
– Customization Option: You may be able to get customization on these matrimonial websites. If they require paying for customized services to simplify your search, payment methods should be simple. You should be able to purchase a tailored service that offers more matches, better search results, and contact details.
– Expert Advice: Some matrimonial services appoint a manager or marriage counselor to handle your profile. They also contact other members on your behalf. Moreover, they exchange your details and set 1st meeting.
– Open for Anyone: Anyone should be able to join these matrimonial websites regardless of community, caste, career, or religion. These websites should promote registration from adults. If you’re looking for a life companion, register with any of these websites. However, creating a profile on these sites should be free.

Take Away: It’s crucial to choose a life partner who can share your responsibilities and joys for the rest of your life. You can’t approach this lightly. However, now you can locate your life partner naturally on the matrimonial website. According to your priorities, you may find your better half on matrimonial services like MatchFinder. A lifestyle-savvy companion is always entertaining, so what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

There are a lot of reasons we stick around with people we know are not good for us. Maybe they’re a security blanket, maybe we’re lonely, or maybe we’re seeking external approval. But no matter the reason the wrong person is in your life, as soon as you realize they’re not the one for you, that should be the end of it, not the beginning of the end. Now, if you have a friend with benefits (you don’t have feelings for) or love flirty-texting that hot coworker, you do you, girl. But those people you go to out of loneliness, comfortability, or insecurity? They’re just holding you back. Know what you deserve, be honest with yourself, and don’t settle. Bonus tip: Unfollow on social media. Just do it!

How you feel when you are with them is another important factor. If you feel easy, safe and secure effortlessly, it is a green flag. They have created an atmosphere which is safe and feels like home to you where you can discuss everything and anything with them. Everyone is busy with their hectic personal and professional lives, but the one who makes time for you despite being busy is a green flag. If they take time to spend moments with you within their jam-packed schedule, then this is a green sign that they are the one who cares for you and loves you.

It will show in how you look at her. And your conversations will most likely be steered towards sex. For instance, when you start looking for ways to get a girl to your place after a first date, she knows you’re up to something. And a girl who thinks you only want to be with her for the sex isn’t going to want to have a relationship with you. In his book, The Art of Seduction, Rober Greene explained that the problem so many people have with seduction is that they say everything they mean. Though it is instinctive to want to get poetic about your feelings when you like someone, it is better to reveal your intentions gradually. Women like to feel that they earned their admiration. She wants to think it’s her unique character, her virtue, her honesty, her integrity, etc., that attracted you to her.

You don’t need to be an A-class mechanic, plumber, or electrician. But if you happen to have any of these skills, then it’s an added advantage to you. The point is that ladies like men who know how to fix things. And the reason is simple. For a woman, watching a man fix something that is broken is like watching a magician perform his tricks. And one of the reasons for this is that fixing things is not a skill most women are interested in. This is partly why women dominate careers like nursing while men dominate engineering or architecture. Hence, seeing a man do his thing, fixing broken stuff, as simple as it might seem to most men, is just an amazing sight for most women.

Ask for Clarification: If your date makes a comment that you don’t understand, smile, and politely ask them for an explanation. Sometimes I use humor to do this, “Educate me, can you explain, I really don’t understand?” That gives your date a chance to elaborate on the subject while you get the chance to better understand their values, perspectives on life, interest and a whole realm of other important factors while getting to know someone out in the dating wilderness.

Repeat after me: Dating should be fun. It should not feel forced, boring, painful, or sad. If it’s not enjoyable, you’re either putting too much pressure on each date, feeling self-conscious about dating, or focusing on the wrong things. Remember that dating is not intended to have only one outcome. Every experience—whether it’s a date, Tinder conversation, or a few months of dating—brings you closer to clarity.

I know it isn’t easy to turn inward. It feels vulnerable. It requires recognizing your weaknesses. But in doing so, you’re setting yourself up for dating success. Because at the end of the day, you can’t control what other people do — all you can control is your own actions and behavior. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: you attract what you give off. In other words, only when you are mentally and emotionally healthy will you be able to land a partner who is as well. So, ready to make some positive changes? Cheers to a new year, a new outlook, and a new and exciting chapter for love. Follow these foolproof dating tips and odds are, you won’t be single for very long. See additional info on matchfinder.in.

One reason why many singles struggle to find lasting love is that they have what’s called a “bad picker.” They keep chasing after the same type of person — say, a bad boy with a fear of commitment, a beautiful but shallow woman who’s only after their money, or a controlling man who they mistake for caring and protective. Then they wonder why all their relationships seem to end the same way. If you’ve been having deja vu in dating — and not in a good way — it’s probably a good idea to shake things up and get out of your comfort zone. Specifically, letting someone else find you a date can prevent you from falling prey to those same old toxic habits.

Premium matrimony Kannada dating tips and tricks

Kannada serious dating tricks and tips by matchfinder.in today: How To Choose A Matrimony Site To Find A Life Partner? Falling love marriage rates have made individuals understand that may not be the greatest way to assure a happy marriage. Therefore, they’ve turned to Online Matrimonial Websites. No longer must you compromise with people and circumstances. This article lists 10 tips on how you should pick a good matrimonial site. Choose a site only if it possesses the following characteristics:

– A large number of profiles: Matrimonial websites must contain a large database of bride and groom profiles. Start by entering your basic data. They’ll show you profiles of registered people who match your search parameters.
– Simple registration: Registering for a matrimonial site should be easy. First, edit your name, gender, age, e-mail address, and mobile phone number. Fill out all registration data to receive the best-matched profiles. If you’re not obtaining the required results, modify your search criteria on the matrimonial website.
– Security: Choose a matrimonial website that’s reliable and secure. Whatever you tell them, they must keep it safe. These matrimonial sites shouldn’t have permission to disclose your details without authorization. The matrimonial websites must utilize privacy features to protect your information from members.
– Matrimonial sites must not encourage dating. They have a serious aim, thus only serious singles should be able to join up. You’ll probably meet someone on this matrimonial site seeking a groom or bride like you.
– Approachable: Matrimonial sites must enable users to communicate or video call before the meeting. Such discussions help reduce the nervousness and discomfort couples experience on their first encounter when parents arrange weddings.
– No Compromise: Registering with these matrimonial services means you don’t have to compromise while finding a companion. Find a suitable companion. Be specific in your search!
– Inexpensive: The matrimonial websites should provide affordable membership options for your needs. You should be able to purchase monthly or weekly search add-ons.
– Customization Option: You may be able to get customization on these matrimonial websites. If they require paying for customized services to simplify your search, payment methods should be simple. You should be able to purchase a tailored service that offers more matches, better search results, and contact details.
– Expert Advice: Some matrimonial services appoint a manager or marriage counselor to handle your profile. They also contact other members on your behalf. Moreover, they exchange your details and set 1st meeting.
– Open for Anyone: Anyone should be able to join these matrimonial websites regardless of community, caste, career, or religion. These websites should promote registration from adults. If you’re looking for a life companion, register with any of these websites. However, creating a profile on these sites should be free.

Take Away: It’s crucial to choose a life partner who can share your responsibilities and joys for the rest of your life. You can’t approach this lightly. However, now you can locate your life partner naturally on the matrimonial website. According to your priorities, you may find your better half on matrimonial services like MatchFinder. A lifestyle-savvy companion is always entertaining, so what are you waiting for? Sign up now! Read even more info at Kannada marriage website.

Don’t…be in a rush. It takes time for a relationship to develop. Get to know the person and take note of any red flags or signs that the person you’re dating isn’t up for a long-term relationship. If it doesn’t feel right, move on. Remember your self-worth and find something more compatible. Do…take time to think about your absolutes when it comes to relationships. Use this to focus on someone that has qualities you are looking for when dating. Do…love yourself. The first step to finding love is loving yourself. Be confident and appreciate how amazing you are. Do that and it will reflect to others. Believe in yourself, believe in the beauty of love, and believe the right person is out there for you.

Dating is always tough to navigate: What do you text back, who pays the check, and why is it so hard to meet normal people? But dating in 2022 brings a whole new set of difficulties: The old rules of dating no longer apply, most exchanges happen over an app, and we forgot how to do our makeup while staying at home since 2020 (nope, just me?). But difficult or not, you deserve a fulfilling life, fun ways to meet new people, and to actually enjoy dating (because no one should have Charlotte’s dating exhaustion). Discover more info on https://www.matchfinder.in/.

A person who is confident with their personality and traits will be more confident of you. They admire you for being yourself and believe in you. A person who is sure about themselves will always be able to consider their feelings and thoughts. THERE ARE indeed various means to deepen your bond with your special people and make the relationship stronger, but asking questions and finding answers together surely leads the list. Do you frequently find yourself stuck in the ball of questions but aren’t able to ask them your partner? Having uncomfortable conversations and asking questions to your partner can be a great way to strengthen your bond and know more about each other. Therefore, to help you we have compiled a list of some important deep questions that you must ask your partner that can deepen your bond and would help you know them better.

It will show in how you look at her. And your conversations will most likely be steered towards sex. For instance, when you start looking for ways to get a girl to your place after a first date, she knows you’re up to something. And a girl who thinks you only want to be with her for the sex isn’t going to want to have a relationship with you. In his book, The Art of Seduction, Rober Greene explained that the problem so many people have with seduction is that they say everything they mean. Though it is instinctive to want to get poetic about your feelings when you like someone, it is better to reveal your intentions gradually. Women like to feel that they earned their admiration. She wants to think it’s her unique character, her virtue, her honesty, her integrity, etc., that attracted you to her.

Kind people are charming. You’ve probably heard the idea that if you want to get a good understanding of someone’s true nature, watch how they treat those who are in a lesser position, like service staff, waiters, etc. Everyone responds well to kindness. We all want someone who has a good heart, who is caring and empathetic. A man who treats others with kindness and respect shows his woman that he isn’t just nice to her because she’s pretty or because he wants something from her. It’s his nature, and she can count on him to be that to her anytime any day. And this assurance will make her feel safe with him. As the saying goes, your looks might capture people’s attention, but it’s your character that will keep them interested. Nothing on this list has to do with looks. Meaning, they are all learnable if you’re not implementing them already.

Ask for Clarification: If your date makes a comment that you don’t understand, smile, and politely ask them for an explanation. Sometimes I use humor to do this, “Educate me, can you explain, I really don’t understand?” That gives your date a chance to elaborate on the subject while you get the chance to better understand their values, perspectives on life, interest and a whole realm of other important factors while getting to know someone out in the dating wilderness.

Repeat after me: Dating should be fun. It should not feel forced, boring, painful, or sad. If it’s not enjoyable, you’re either putting too much pressure on each date, feeling self-conscious about dating, or focusing on the wrong things. Remember that dating is not intended to have only one outcome. Every experience—whether it’s a date, Tinder conversation, or a few months of dating—brings you closer to clarity.

Many singles are unknowingly sabotaging their own chances of meeting someone great because they’re mentally hung on someone. It could be an ex they can’t let go of, or someone they only know from a distance but are convinced is their happily ever after. Real, lasting love doesn’t happen in your head. And it can be far too easy to get swept away by a fantasy. But these fantasies can hold you back — for example, if you’re still obsessing over the idea of getting back together with your last partner, you may totally miss out on the amazing person standing right in front of you at a party, work gathering, wedding, or another event.

Work on your communication skills. Particularly in this day and age, where people are busier than ever and have more devices to be reached on, communication skills are what can make you stand out from the crowd. Seriously, don’t underestimate how much texting someone back promptly or calling them to follow up on a date can make a difference in winning them over. This shows several things: that you’re conscientious, that you care, and that you’re reliable, all of which are highly desirable traits in a partner.

India marriage dating guides with matchfinder.in today

Top matrimony India adult dating guides: A person who is confident with their personality and traits will be more confident of you. They admire you for being yourself and believe in you. A person who is sure about themselves will always be able to consider their feelings and thoughts. THERE ARE indeed various means to deepen your bond with your special people and make the relationship stronger, but asking questions and finding answers together surely leads the list. Do you frequently find yourself stuck in the ball of questions but aren’t able to ask them your partner? Having uncomfortable conversations and asking questions to your partner can be a great way to strengthen your bond and know more about each other. Therefore, to help you we have compiled a list of some important deep questions that you must ask your partner that can deepen your bond and would help you know them better. Read more info at Visit here.

Don’t…be afraid to let others know you are looking to date. Your circle may know others of a similar mindset and interests, so tapping into your network might just work best for you. Do…listen more than you talk for the first few dates. It’s important to genuinely get to know your date, understand what they are passionate about and whether that is in line with what you are looking for. Give your date attention and give yourself a chance to really get to know them.

Many of us have this idea that we need a movie-worthy meet-cute when finding a soulmate. But closing yourself off to any meeting that isn’t locking eyes across a crowded bar or running into a long-forgotten high school sweetheart from back home (Hallmark Channel style) limits your chances. Despite what Hollywood has us believe, we can meet worthwhile people anywhere. You could meet your ideal partner during a meeting, at a book club, in an elevator, while out walking your dog, or yes, on a dating app. The more options you keep open, the higher your chances of meeting people that you’ll enjoy being around. Instead of waiting for a “meet-cute,” try to remain open to any possibility that feels right for you.

You go out with a girl, you both seem to have great chemistry. After your date, you both go home happy and satisfied. Now you think things could only get better. But after a few days, she begins to pull away. And because you have no idea what you’ve done wrong, you become confused and frustrated, making even bigger mistakes that only push her further away. Or, maybe you’re a decent-looking guy who just never has any luck getting beautiful girls to pay attention to you. Whatever the problem may be for you, this article will help you understand some key things you might have been overlooking. When it comes to dating, there are some untold rules that many guys are unknowingly falling short on. And when you make these same mistakes for too long without any luck, dating can become just another frustrating game for you. That said, let’s look at ten mistakes that some guys may not even know they are making. If you’ve been having a rough time dating, take note of these. You might be faltering.

You don’t need to be an A-class mechanic, plumber, or electrician. But if you happen to have any of these skills, then it’s an added advantage to you. The point is that ladies like men who know how to fix things. And the reason is simple. For a woman, watching a man fix something that is broken is like watching a magician perform his tricks. And one of the reasons for this is that fixing things is not a skill most women are interested in. This is partly why women dominate careers like nursing while men dominate engineering or architecture. Hence, seeing a man do his thing, fixing broken stuff, as simple as it might seem to most men, is just an amazing sight for most women.

Avoid giving out your number until after the first date: Experts advise users who communicate on dating apps to avoid changing to direct text with their telephone. This is for safety reasons and because there is a high chance the date won’t materialize. Although it isn’t mannerly, the reality is that ghosting happens, and date plans sometimes aren’t finalized, texts are forgotten, or things turn platonic. So, schedule the first date directly on the dating app platform. Once you’ve met in person, and if you feel comfortable and connected, then consider exchanging numbers and/or social media platforms.

The purpose of going on dates, talking to new people, and opening yourself up to meet someone new is not to feed your ego, affirm insecurities, or to find a soulmate ASAP. The purpose is to collect information that will bring you closer to a happy, fulfilling life and to have a good time along the way. Bottom line: It should be fun meeting new people, whether or not a second date follows. If it’s not, take a break from dating to reflect on what you’re really looking for in your dating life.

Since it can be very challenging to examine yourself in this way, I highly recommend working with a dating coach. An unbiased third party can not only help you to identify what your current baggage is and why you’re still struggling with it, but also offer clear-cut advice on what you need to do to move past it. When new clients come to me unsure of why they keep accidentally sabotaging their own dating chances, I can often tell right away what baggage is getting in their way. Once you’re ready to really take a good look at your destructive beliefs and thought patterns, you can start replacing those with healthier and positive alternatives that will make you a more attractive, emotionally strong, and desirable partner.

My motto is: you get what you put up with. So, are you willing to accept someone who walks all over you, disrespects your boundaries, or takes from you without giving in return? Expect more. Better yet, work on believing that you deserve more, and that way, you can hold any future partners accountable. Start by making a list of all the skills and positive qualities you can bring to the table in a relationship. Are you a compassionate listener? Generous with your time? Have a great sense of humor? If you need to, ask friends for their take on what your biggest strengths are. Once you’ve drafted your list, read it every single day. Eventually, it’ll start sinking in that you have a lot to offer in a relationship, and therefore, should only be with someone who not only appreciates all of those qualities but also has a lot to offer in return.

Discussion satisfactions and anonymous chat today

Blink chat or chat benefits today: Sometimes, talking to strangers does not lead to friendships or new romantic relationships. There is a chance that you will actually never meet some of these people again. However, having even that one conversation with them can be an eye opener. The stranger might change your perspective and give you a new way of looking at things that you have never considered before. In your professional life, your network is very important. Your network opens up opportunities for new business and new jobs, helps you climb up the corporate ladder, expands your support network, makes you more visible, helps you learn more about your field, and so on. This is why virtually all career coaches extol the importance of networking. Here is the kicker – networking requires you to actively go out and talk to strangers. Networking events are essentially platforms for strangers with common interests to meet and talk to each other. Find additional info on blink chat.

Social media also plays a critical role in introducing teens to new friends and connecting them to their existing friend networks. Some 76% of teens ages 13 to 17 use social media and: 64% of teens who have met at least one new friend online report meeting a friend through social media. 62% of teens share their social media username as one of the first pieces of information they share as a way to stay in touch when they meet a brand new friend.

Although the benefits of face-to-face communication are numerous, there would still be some disadvantages to be addressed. For example, it can be tricky to actually find the time to meet people. Emailing and texting are faster especially if the other person you want to communicate with is in another country. Moreover, some people find it hard to communicate chat. Also, getting the same message across to different people may be hard with chat communication. However, these few disadvantages can be overcome by setting a video conference through a platform like TalkWithStranger.

As noted, there is less evidence addressing these society-level effects than evidence addressing personal-level effects. But there is suggestive evidence that online engagement can translate into offline collective action, such as civic and political participation (e.g., Valenzuela, Park, & Kee, 2009). In addition to these suggestive correlational studies, some “natural experiments” have provided opportunities to test a causal relationship between internet use and civic engagement more carefully. See even more details at talkwithstranger.com.

In February 2004, a reporter asked one author (Wellman) to comment on the deaths of four supposed “cyber-addicts” who spent much time online in virtual reality environments. The reporter lost interest when Wellman pointed out that other causes might be involved, that “addicts” were a low percentage of users, and that no one worries about “neighboring addicts” who chat daily in their front yards. A more pervasive concern has been that the internet sucks people away from in-person contact, fostering alienation and real-world disconnection.

In COVID times talking with someone can improve your mood a lot. Be understanding and empathetic. Let people know you’re listening and you care. While you may not be able to change things, you can express knowledge of their challenges as well as compassion for their struggles. Acknowledge these, allowing for people’s discomfort. You don’t have to spend a large portion of your messaging here, but at least let people know you understand. This will go a long way toward the trustworthiness of your message. Be human. Especially in times of stress or unease, people want to know messages are from people, not robots. While you may not focus here—after all, your challenges will be different than those of others and the focus shouldn’t be on you—it’s okay to acknowledge you too have questions and are working through things. In terms of the content of your message, it’s also okay to say you’re processing some issues and don’t yet have the answers. Perhaps there is a key policy or benefit that is changing. You can let people know it will be changing without giving details yet—this kind of transparency will also breed trust.

Between comfort and duty in a conflict zone by Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri

Emergency room stories in a conflict zone as seen by Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri: As an emergency room physician in Iraq, Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri not rarely faces extremely challenging circumstances. In the middle of a crisis, his patients love his grace under heavy pressure without realizing that his courage was forged as a patient, not in medical school. At 17, he was shot in the leg by a sniper. He could have caved under peer pressure and considered revenge, but instead, as he recently told a journalist, he remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous words, “Violence begets violence.” After being treated without anesthesia in an understaffed emergency room, he decided to pursue a career in medicine to fill an urgent need in Iraq. See extra details at Alnaserbelh Al Naseri.

Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri is a proud 2010 Iraqi Youth Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) alumnus and he is committed to working with fellow Iraqi alumni to improve the state of medical care in Baghdad, particularly for children with grave illnesses. When he is not pulling double shifts as a resident at the Sulaimaniyah Teaching Hospital, Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri is an active member of the Iraqi exchange alumni community. He credits his exchange with launching his impressive volunteer work, saying “I view my IYLEP experience as the starting point of my volunteer work in support of civil society and the start of my work in youth leadership. The new friends that I met during IYLEP provided me inspiration and a strong network that I knew I could rely upon even far away in Iraq.”

After being shot in the leg at 17 during an attack outside his Baghdad home, Dr. Al-Nasiry is fully aware that the normal response for a youth who was raised in a country mired in violence would be to want to exact revenge. But by nature, nurture, or just pure chance, it wasn’t for him. Instead, the incident set Al-Nasiry on a mission of ensuring that this generation of Iraqis has systems and role models in place so they are less susceptible to joining the ranks of ISIS and other violent extremist groups. But the teenage Al-Nasiry had other ideas about how to react. “I remembered this saying from Martin Luther King [Jr.], ‘Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate,’” he says. “So I thought … if I go out and shoot people because of this, I would probably shoot another innocent bystander. I would fuel this idiotic cycle of violence.”

Alnaserbelh Al Naseri’s story is one of hope in the face of extreme adversity. In 2006, Alnaserbelh Al Naseri was shot in the leg in Baghdad (a war zone). Nasir went to the emergency room and there were no doctors on call to treat him; they were treating three wounded police officers. He was treated for a gunshot wound by a nurse without anesthesia. Today, at 26 years old, Nasir is himself a doctor working in his country. Given the instability in Iraq today, he could choose to leave. Instead, he serves his people. His leadership reminds me that millennial leadership exists in every place on earth; these are the leaders the world must invest in and unite behind.

Beyond the day he was shot, his road to activism was cemented in 2010 with the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program, which is facilitated by the NGO World Learning and funded by the US Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The program brings young Iraqis to the United States for a month-long leadership exchange. For most of the students involved, it is their first exposure to the US outside the context of war. “Where I come from, at that time, the United States was conveyed as this big demon,” he recalls.

He started a project called “There’s Always Hope” with Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and IYLEP alumni. Project volunteers visit local medical facilities and provide support to Iraqi children with cancer. For the past three years, Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri has worked with alumni to organize the annual Baghdad City of Peace Carnival in conjunction with the UN’s World Peace Day. The Carnival, which features a wide array of entertainers, poets, and actors, attracts thousands of annual attendees who come together to promote alternatives to violence, extremism, and sectarianism.

“In my opinion, anyone is susceptible to embracing violence,” he says. “Even me, nine years ago: I was susceptible to taking a gun and firing it. I could’ve been a leader in ISIS right now.” According to Al-Nasiry, the key to developing a generation of peacemakers is encouraging and promoting role models for Iraqi youths. “I believe it’s by creating a peaceful, educated environment – creating those strong role models, rather than the person who has an AK-47 on his back, promising to give him money or women in the afterlife,” he says.

His work with the alumni network is only the beginning of his career in civil society. He is also a member of the Iraqi Youth Parliament and the head of the TEDxBaghdad blogging team. Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri’s professional accomplishments are impressive, but his personal story of resilience and forgiveness serve as a reminder of the truth in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s statement on courage: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Each month, the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) Alumni Affairs Division, which supports program alumni as they build on their exchange experiences, recognizes one outstanding alumnus or alumna. Dr. Alnaserbelh Al Naseri is this month’s outstanding alumnus, and his work will be recognized throughout April on the International Exchange Alumni website, ECA’s official alumni website which serves more than one million Department-sponsored exchange alumni worldwide. Al-Nasiry knows that creating role models for youths at risk of taking up arms is not an endeavor of instant gratification; it may take years before his efforts yield results that may change the landscape of Iraq. But he does not believe Iraq is too far gone.