Ladies, listen up!  There are special rules that a man should follow and a woman should follow when they're exploring dating online.  But, there are some rules that get thrown around a lot that you actually need to break.....a little.  If you've ever read the famous book about dating called "The Rules" there's no need to apply all of them to internet dating.  Here are some of the most famous ones:

1) Don't Email a Man First

This is not always the case and you should occasionally break this rule for online dating.  But for the most part, the rule is pretty sound and you should lie off for a few days and be a little sneaky about showing your attention.  "If a guy you've had your eye on doesn't contact you, send him a quick email. All you want to do is let him know that you exist - then leave the pursuing up to him."  This is great advice for online dating.

2) Create a Great Screen Name

This is a great rule to follow for dating online. You want it to be fun, and not make it look like you're searching for marriage or a cheap one night stand.  Make the name describe your appearance like "Slim Sandra" or "Blue-eyed Beverly". 

3) Give Short Replies to Emails

You can actually break this rule. When your answers are too short you seem thoughtless and arrogant.  You want to have replies that are warm and fun and just as long as they need to be. That's a great thing to keep in mind for online dating. 

4) Don't Answer Questions You Wouldn't Answer on a First Date

This is a good rule to follow.  Don't dive into past relationships and all that stuff when you're dating online.  Don't talk about getting married and your income.  That's just too much too soon for internet dating.

5) Wait 24 hours to respond.

This is always a great rule to follow.  You don't want to appear too eager, and 24 hours is a good length of time for online dating.  You give the sense that you're busy with other things, but that you're still interested.

So you see ladies, when it comes to internet dating, there are some classic rules you should follow and some that you should break.  Use your instincts, and if you're seriously interested in someone, then don't jump too fast and don't play too coy.  One or the other is going to give off the wrong signal.  Don't be too aggressive, but it's always a good idea to be assertive and not too secretive. 

Online dating is really a snap once you get a hang of the game.  The relations between a man and a woman are really a game in a way, and you don't want to chase someone away or hold them back too far.  A woman with good instincts will be able to successfully navigate these waters, and potentially end up with a lot of really nice dates.