Filipina Eyes asked:

As a online dating webmasters, I get emails asking me how to detect a scammer. It is tough. When a member joins a site, they don’t put in their profile, “hey, I’m joining so I can try to scam money from other members”. Only after they try to commit the scamming deed do we know their true intentions. When that happens, it should be reported to the webmaster.

The following list was my guideline when looking for online dating love. Each person’s judgment varies and ultimately are responsible for their own decisions. The following has no guarantees, but if it works for you so be it.

1. Don’t send money to a person you are getting to know. During the getting to know each other stages, money should not be a topic. My wife never asked me for a dime during our courtship. Only after time invested in getting to know each other and marriage was discussed did we talk about expenses. Major financial decisions should be reserved for when the relationship is beyond the get to know each other stage and is heading for marriage. Only you can decide when that is.

2. Time is your ally. Most scammers do not like to exchange a lot of emails when their main objective is to get money. They want to get as much money in the short amount of time they can. In other words, they usually are not into long courtships, not unless that courtship includes you sending money on a regular basis.

3. Template letters or emails is usually a sign. If an email seems like it could of been copied and pasted to send to anyone, a red flag should be waving in front of your eyes. If they are not at least addressing some identifiable information about you when replying to your email, be careful.

4. Chatting — this is not the case for all, but I have to address it. Most scammers want to get you in an intimate conversation as soon as possible. They love to invite you to chat knowing they can pull at your heart strings in real time and learn if you are a mark or not. Personally, I would want to exchange several emails and even letters before chatting. There may be one exception to this, but I would still limit my time. If I suspected the person’s photo may not be who they say they are, I would want to chat with a webcam, but only do so for 5 or 10 minutes. Again, I’d rather invest time to getting to know each other by email or letter and if the other person is interested in you, they will also want to equally invest their time.

5. Endearments — why would anyone be calling another person, honey, sweetheart, lover, etc, within a few emails or within a short amount of time? First, it is disrespectful. When I was courting my wife and if I would of called her sweetheart after only a few emails she would of walked away. She doesn’t care for that type of arrogance and would take it as an insult to the Filipino culture. Respectful Filipina ladies are aware of the stereotypes and any man who tries to exploit another lady based on misguided cultural believes is not a gentleman. The same goes for ladies. If they are calling you honey, sweetie, etc, within a few emails or while chatting early in a relationship, I would be careful. It is not appropriate or the right time. If you are calling someone sweetheart early on in a relationship and they happen to be a scammer, you just made their job easier. Use words that is appropriate for the relationship stage you are involved in out of respect for their culture and to protect yourself from being a mark for a scammer.

The above is not all inclusive, but may help those who need some guidance. With that said, there are no definitive rules when it comes to love or courtship. Ultimately, common sense needs to prevail and only you can decide what is and what is not appropriate for you. With that said, I still say: don’t fall for any story that sounds too good to be true, don’t send money during the get to know each other stage of a relationship (unless the expense is minor and you decide it is not a financial burden) and let time be your friend. If red flags go off but you are not sure, at least slow down, take your time and get to know each other.

I remember watching a 60 minute show about a guy who was being scammed. He lost everything, even his house. Whatever the girl wanted, he bought. Unlike some, I did not feel sorry for the guy. I sat in wonderment thinking how he could be so stupid. Maybe he could falter one time, but to continue to send money to a lady he never met was financial suicide. He was desperate for love. A recipe for disaster. If you are this desperate for love and your judgment is that poor, do yourself a favor and don’t look for love on the internet.

Where are scammers? — E V E R Y W H E R E. They are on yahoo, youtube, myspace, online dating sites, etc. Even the big boys, like youtube (owned by google), can’t stop them. Instead they ask that members report when a person uses their site inappropriately. On Filipina Lady I ask the same. Any dating site who says they never had a scammer is probably lying or they are super unaware. There are times that members will not report a scammer from embarrassment. It is better to report them. On my site I do ask that you provide some evidence of scamming. I have had people falsely report someone for scamming because they were rejected by that person.

Finding love should not be a fast food mentality. It took me and my wife almost a year before we knew that it was meant to be. Oh sure, my hormones was in high gear, but I knew that true love was about commitment, time and a lifetime of happiness. For me, it worked. Whatever time table you are on may not be the same as mine, but if you think you are in love within a few emails and a couple of chats, you may want to step back and assess your judgment. For me, years later, I’m more in love with my wife than I ever was. I wake up every morning knowing I’m with someone who loves me for me. No doubts, no questions – the love and respect is mutual and will last a lifetime.

Good luck and happy holidays to all.

Peter Finch asked:

One of the main challenges of Ukrainian and any other international dating is the language barrier. Most of us know that at times it can be hard enough to understand each other even if we speak the same language and come from the same background. Moreover, when dating someone who comes from a different culture, background and speaks another language, understanding each other can become a rather difficult task to manage.

Nevertheless, there is a number of solutions to this problem, which can make your communication much easier and help you to tear down Ukrainian dating language barrier. Let us take a look at some of them.

Of course, since you are building up serious relationships with the person from another country it would make sense to start studying Ukrainian or Russian languages; though, as you understand, this will take you pretty long time to accomplish. Thus, we will find some shortcuts for building up successful communication with your Ukrainian fiancee.

Task number 1 in overcoming Ukrainian dating language barrier is finding a good provider for interpreting and translating services. By this, I mean that most men find their Ukrainian female acquaintances through various dating or match making agencies. Most of these companies, or at least the ones worth working with, provide their clients with translation and phone interpreting services. Find out if there are any bulk or membership discounts available.

Task number 2: find a good and reliable interpreter. There are several ways to do it. You may ask your Ukrainian lady to recommend someone. Or else you may look for some options even without having to leave your home. Carry out an online search. You may find there is a variety of translation agencies or personal translation providers. The prices for such translation and interpreting services may vary greatly.

Language University students, for instance, will charge you less, while more experienced and professional translators will definitely charge more. However, keep in mind that the quality of such services can be essential for successfully overcoming the Ukrainian dating language barrier. Besides, you definitely need an interpreter you will feel comfortable with discussing such delicate matters.

Here is one hint for cutting down your translation and interpreting expenses. You may find an interpreter who comes from a smaller town, rather than from the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, or other big cities. The level of people’s income in the smaller towns in Ukraine is much lower, thus they may charge you less for translation and interpreting work and services.

Also, keep in mind that language is inseparable from culture. Even the best translation cannot always provide you with proper understanding of feelings and thoughts of other people. Therefore, whilst overcoming the Ukrainian dating language barrier, do not forget to pay due attention to studying culture, traditions and history of the country your sweetheart comes from.

Those were some tips on how to overcome Ukrainian dating language barrier and attain success in your dating communication.

Sam Smith asked:


What does the term adventure travel mean to you? It can mean many different things to different people and for those that are uninitiated into the world of adventure travel it often involves Indiana Jones types of images. Things like Man against nature, struggling to cross a scorching desert, or a stormy sea. Possible risking their life in some far flung region of the world that is torn apart by war and strife. Or it might bring up images of crawling deep into a pitch black cave or dangling from the site of a mountain on a rope.

Do all of these images equate to adventure travel? Well, not really, some people that are into adventure travel might seek out some of these more extreme types of activities but not everyone. Adventure travel is really whatever you want it to be. It might or might not involve physical risk this is not a requirement. It might or might not mean traveling to an exotic far flung place. It might or might not cost a small fortune it really depends on you. Any time you travel somewhere, anywhere if you have a new experience that you have never had before or some type of new experience that you don’t do everyday then you have had an adventure.

Of course there are as many different types of adventure travel as there are people in the world. So often you can find something that is exciting to you and based on your own interests. For example a history buff might not be the least interested in a vacation in Las Vegas or a visit to Disney World. But he or she might be thrilled to tour the Tower of London, visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, or stand at the Irish graveside of some long dead ancestor. The discovery of some previously unknown ancestors name in the archival records of a small town can be as exciting for the history lover as catching a trophy rainbow trout is to an ardent fisherman.

While most people would agree that adventure travel that involves activities like sky diving, mountain climbing, kayaking the rapids or caving is an exciting adventure indeed. But adventure travel can also include a leisurely trip on the Mississippi River in a paddle wheeler, a saunter across the English landscape in search of a certain species of bird, a tour of the wineries of southern France, or a shell-collecting outing on an out-of-the-way Caribbean beach.

Adventure travel does not have to be to a far away place. You do not have to go by plane, train or bus to experience some adventure travel. There are many opportunities well within driving distance of your house. They are not as well revealed as major sites or operations, so people have to look for them. They can include small local museums, houses of special interest (the birthplace of a famous person), small sanctuaries for wildlife and flora, restored buildings or even communities dating back to historic times, and so on. Even if one does not own a car, there are sometimes local bus tours to this site, or excursions organized by social groups.

Sure adventure travel might take you to that far flung place on a crazy intense adventure and test of wills but it can just as easily be a trip to somewhere close to your home and local. Adventure travel is wherever you can find it and on whatever scale you are ready for.

Emma Madison asked:


There are some must-know terms entrants should be familiar with when entering online sweepstakes. Important terms relating to entries are: 1/H which means one entry per household and 1/H/…

Online sweepstakes have become a huge trend all around the world. Not only do sweepstakes offer excitement and fun, but great chances to win big prizes. But, as with any other hobby or passion, entrants should be able to talk the talk to be truly part of the online sweepstakes experience.

There are some must-know terms entrants should be familiar with when entering online sweepstakes. Important terms relating to entries are: 1/H which means one entry per household and 1/H/D is one entry per household per day, 1/H/W means one entry per household per week, 1/H/M means one entry per month and 1/H/Q means one entry per quarter or every three months. 1/P is short for one entry per person. And, as explained above, /D, /W, /M and /Q can be added as time constraints. Another time related sweepstakes term is bi-weekly, which means entrants can enter once every two weeks.

Addy or addie refers to the entrant’s address. Four common used terms are NAZ, NAZDT, NAZH and NAZT. N means the entrant’s name and surname, A means the entrant’s address and Z stands for the entrant’s zip code. The additional DT is short for day telephone, H means home telephone and T means telephone number.

With regards to the contest or online sweepstakes itself, the following terms might be helpful. SD means start date, the official start date of the sweepstakes of contest. Online entry means the method of entering using the internet. WL stands for the winners list and DD for the drawing date, which is the last date of acceptance of entries for online sweepstakes. E/F/A means employees, families and agencies, referring to the eligibility of entrants.

Other commonly used terms in online sweepstakes are WSL and DOB. WSL means while stocks last and DOB is short for date of birth. Another popular term is J/A which stands for judging agency. Most big competitions use judging agencies to regulate their sweepstakes. P/C means prices must be claimed by the given date. If winners do not claim their prizes in a certain period of time, they forfeit their prizes.

When entering online sweepstakes regularly, entrants will soon become familiar with all the terminology regarding sweepstakes. There are many glossaries and websites available where prospective entrants can read more about online sweepstakes and the related terms. It is always a good idea for entrants to ensure they are familiar with the rules and regulations, the terminology and all the other details of contests or online sweepstakes before they enter.

When entrants are familiar with the online sweepstakes terminology, they can enter as many sweepstakes as they can – and of course stand a big chance to win great prizes!

Eric de Fontenay asked:


ANN ARBOR, MI – As the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest celebrates its fifth year of operations, the entry fee has been lowered and the Grand Prize increased.

http://www.GreatLakesSongs.com

This year, the Grand Prize will be $2,000 cash, plus tuition, room and board at a music retreat, plus a chance to headline the Winners’ Concert in February 2009. And entrants can choose to enter by mail or on-line, thanks to a partnership with indie music promoter Sonic Bids.

The contest is open to songwriters of all ages and all musical styles in the eight states and one Canadian province that border the Great Lakes: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and the Province of Ontario, Canada. Songwriters give up no rights to their songs as a condition of entering or winning. Eleven winning songs will be chosen in 2008. Entries must be postmarked on or before Friday, April 25, 2008.

“A lot of great music has come out of our part of the world, from Motown to Prairie Home Companion to Chicago Blues and Broadway,” says contest spokesman Bill Frank. “It’s produced big names like Bob Dylan, Prince, Madonna, the Barenaked Ladies, and Jars of Clay, just to name a few. But some of the best music is written by the locally known, little-known, and unknown songwriters, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Past winners have included an organic farmer from rural Michigan, a retired Marine Corps captain from Minneapolis, a Chicago novelist, a former child actress, and numerous high-school and college students. Winning songs have ranged from hard-rock instrumentals to jazz, country, folk, R&B, Christian, and various hybrids. For the past several years, the top winners have performed at sold-out crowds at the Winners’ Concert series at the Trinity House Theatre in Livonia, MI.

Past judges have included Andrea Stolpe, hit songwriter, author, and instructor for the Berklee College of Music’s on-line songwriting program; Freebo, the singer-songwriter and long-time bass player for Bonnie Raitt; Chicago’s Rich Warren, host of the syndicated radio show “The Midnight Special;” Nadir, the MTV host, author and prizewinning songwriter; and Toronto’s Jodi Krangle, proprietress of “The Muse’s Muse” songwriters’ website and electronic newsletter. The 2008 judges will be announced when the winners are announced, in October 2008.

Contest entrants are not forced to pick a particular category for their songs. Each song is judged on its own merits, not by how well it conforms to the conventions of a certain genre of music. Rules, entry forms, and information on last year’s winners and judges can be found on the contest website, http://www.GreatLakesSongs.com

The contest is sponsored by Songbridge, the song marketing company based in Ontario, Canada, which provides a weekly pitch sheet to its songwriting members and a free e-newsletter with tips and insights on marketing; Elderly Instruments of Lansing (MI), one of America’s largest mail order suppliers of vintage and new stringed instruments; Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters of Royal Oak (MI), which holds songwriting weekends in Northern Michigan; and the CD Seller of Minneapolis, an online company that has created a CD selling tool for independent performers. The contest is organized by The Michigan Songwriters, the Ann Arbor-based cooperative that previously sponsored the Metro Detroit and Michigan Songwriting Contests. The contest has drawn about 500 entries each year since its founding in 2003.