h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dear all,

I've written part of a guide entry on long distance relationships based mostly on my own experience. Would any of you be interested in collaborating? I'm sure that there's much more to be said, particularly about the role of the internet in

a) starting relationships

and

b) maintaining them

The entry is at A606836

Best wishes

Otto

I don't know if I'd agree with your conclusion of "don't", since it's worked for me.

I met my fiancee on the internet (right here!), and for us, it was a very good way to meet. He said that he has a difficult time in the beginning of relationships with "small talk". Meeting this way, there was no pressure on either of us. We started as friends in neutral territory. We gradually built up that friendship. First by posting here, then emails, then IMs, then on the phone, and finally in person. We got to know each other very well before we physically met, because we spent so much time talking. But now it's killing us being apart! We literally count the days until we see each other again.

Hi Shea,

Thanks for your response. I certainly didn't take my own advice! (I'm from the UK with an Australian gf....)

I'm not sure whether I should try to write about internet relationships, or whether it ought to be a completely different entry. Perhaps the whole thing ought to be an ask the h2g2 community question?

Best wishes

Otto.

That could be an excellent approach...

I think that's a great approach. You'll get a ton of responses there!

I've suggested it as a topic. We'll see what happens!

Best wishes

Otto

Anything happen yet!???

I got an answer, which was a bit nebulous. I'm not quite sure. I think they're leaving it up to me. I'm currently dealing with a four day backlog of various stuff and work, home, and online, but I'll let you know what's happening when I know.

Best wishes

Otto

Observation the Second: Solid footing and realistic expectations are vital

Clearly, it is vital that a relationship is solid in its non-distance flavour for it to stand any chance of working over distance. Several years of cohabiting might do it, a stolen kiss in a disco on holiday probably won't.

*disagrees*

The first 7 or 8 months of the relationship I'm in, I hadn't even met the person I was in the relationship with. ... subsequent to that, we spent many many more months without seeing each other again, and - almost two years later - we're still together (and both parties are quite, quite sure that they're going to stay that way)





- Njan.

I wish I could find someone who is willing to stick around longer than a few months. What, do they just get bored?!

It's ok... Maybe it's for my own good. It's always nice to go crazy once in a while, right?!

The hard part is finding someone who wants just about the same thing you do...

It took me a couple of decades to find that ...

And was well worth the search!!! YAY!!!

You got that right, girlfriend! *dances*

::throws glitter around Shea for added effect::

::picks up some glitter and throws it too::