Long distance dating relationships are much maligned, but greatly increasing in the internet age, as more and more people meet their partners on the web. Taking to heart a small amount of long distance dating advice can help avoid a lot of the common pitfalls and clichés for such relationships. Remember that you are physically distant from each other and that this carries some consequences along with it.

Make sure that you meet the person for the first time in a public place and that you spend some time together in person before jumping into a commitment. While the safety concerns are obvious, and according to all good research a bit overblown, it is important to bear in mind that the person you are meeting is essentially a stranger. It is also good common sense to make you get along well in person before progressing on to a more serious relationship.

Ensure that your friends are aware of the situation and your relationship status. They can be invaluable in helping you get through times when you are feeling lonely or a bit emotionally distant from your physically distant lover. Be warned that some well-meaning friends may read some horror stories online and give some aggressive (but well-meaning) long distance dating advice based on that hysteria. Calmly reassure them and be sure to introduce them to your partner when they are in town.

A good piece of long distance dating advice is to make sure that you spend some time together on the phone on a daily basis. Few things can be as reassuring in a long distance relationship as simply hearing the voice of your partner every day. It is also a good opportunity to just simply talk and it helps develop good lines of communication, which is essential for any relationship to blossom and succeed.

Be open with each other about your daily lives and any concerns you have about the relationship. A lack of openness and daily rapport is one of the most common failures of long distance dating.

Regular, if only occasional, meet ups are a vital part of long-distance relationships. Even in the absence of sexual intimacy, physical proximity can make a huge difference. For many people, simply being able to directly see and touch their loved one is a massive reassurance that their relationship is "real" and viable.

Be sure to plan some fun dates and introduce them to your friends and family. However, also be sure to set aside some simple time to just be together and enjoy each other's company. You want to have some time to just being yourselves without a whirlwind of scheduled dates and introductions.

With a little effort and care, a long distance relationship can lead to a long-term and wonderful partnership.