All right folks, it’s time for a wake-up call. Are you ready for a relationship or not? Do you even want to be in a relationship? During past few years I have been teaching classes for singles. The problem I have observed most often is people who are dating but aren’t prepared for a relationship. The complaints I hear go something like this:

Jill: I’ve been dating Jack for two months now and finally he tells me that he’s not ready for a relationship.

Friend: So what did you say?

Jill: Nothing -- other than tell him that he was a big jerk.

Friend: Oh!

Jill: I mean, can’t guys get a clue? Hello! If you are really not ready for a relationship, don’t date me for two months and call me every day only to tell me later that you aren’t ready for a relationship! I just don’t get guys.

Such dialogues are common. Perhaps you have been on receiving end of such a relationship or perhaps you have been on giving end. Whatever be case, may I give you a suggestion? Look in mirror and decide if you have what it takes to be in a relationship. Questions you might want to ask yourself would be:

a) Am I prepared for a long-term relationship? Or do I want to date lots of people? If you know answer to this question, don’t be bashful—tell people you are dating what you are looking for.

b) If Mr. or Ms. Right came by today, would I let them into my life or would I ask them to wait until I had dealt with personal issues (e.g. like getting a divorce, putting my finances in order, or ending another relationship that I am not sure I want to end)?

Have you noticed that though many of our relationships start out with such promise, something often happens, causing them to quickly go downhill? Perhaps you’ve seen friends wondering about someone they've spent time getting to know, only to find out that person was less than completely honest with them?

For most part, we all start with best intentions of meeting someone, pursuing a fun friendship that leads to a light romance that may someday culminate in love of our life. But it doesn't always work that way, does it? Sometimes it doesn't even get as far as meeting in person. And what is culprit? In many cases, honesty, or lack thereof. Someone isn't quite telling truth about who they are, what they are doing, or why they act way they do.

In online dating, we need to be especially diligent in helping fight dishonesty battle. That’s because all an online acquaintance may know and understand about you for some time is whatever you decide to reveal to that person. We need to be carefully and gently honest. No one wants to get involved with a too zealously honest brute or brutesse. But most of us have a low tolerance for dishonesty. The dishonesty can range from our descriptions of who we really are, to how many potential partners are being pursued at same time, to lies for no apparent reason.

Every person wants to put his or her best foot forward. But please, make sure it’s foot attached to your own leg! I heard one woman say a suitor told her that he “owned a textile business.” In reality, he delivered paper towels. We all wish to be seen in best light possible for as long as possible, but early in dating and throughout relationship we should be getting to know each other as we really are.