Long-distance relationship
From Free net encyclopedia
A long-distance relationship is a relationship between people who are physically far apart. Typically they are dating or married.
Some reasons for long-distance relationships are:
- They met through a dating service and live far apart.
- They met in an Internet community, such as a forum or multiplayer online game.
- They met while one or both was on vacation.
- They used to live close together, but one has since moved away (e.g., job, college, military)
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Trust
Trust between the two parties is a key requirement for a successful long-distance relationship. Either party may be engaging in social activities which, under usual circumstances, could lead to the forming of a relationship. For example, one party may go out with friends or colleagues from work. These colleagues may very well include single persons interested in a relationship. For them it may appear that the long-distance relationship is 'weak' and not substantially important. Hence the distance. It requires each partner to learn to trust the other to project the correct image and not be easily seduced by the behaviour that may be exhibited by 'interested' parties.
Visiting each other
Long-distance relationships can be successful when both partners make efforts to visit each other. Discussing possible times to visit, and planning these "vacations" together can assist with strengthening the relationship. Furthermore, it will help build trust which is the key to success.
The success of a long-distance relationship is also affected by the length of time the couple are apart from each other. The inability to physically meet as a result of living in different parts of the world will be perceived to be considerably more challenging if the time frame involved is lengthy.
Living in different parts of the world might also influence the time zone which might add more challenges to maintain communication and also to build rapport. Men may find this particularly hard to deal with, and this has lead to many relationships failing while they may have flourished had the physical separation not been there.
Online dating
Online dating has certainly opened the world of dating to new ideas and provided opportunities to meet people from other parts of the city, state or for that matter world. Long distance relationships were once thought to be quite a challenge to maintain. In many ways, it still is as you have to work for it. However, cell phones, email, online chatting and video conferencing have certainly made it easier to keep in touch.
Communication
Communication is essential to keeping a long-distance relationship alive just as it is in a normal relationship, and can include:
- Letters
- Telephone calls
- Text messaging
- Instant messaging
- Sending gifts (e.g., flowers, scented clothes, chocolates)
- Shared online activities
- Shared offline activities (e.g., watching the same movie while talking on the phone)