By Kelsey Foster

I just got back from a weekend in Las Vegas. That city has done a great job of promoting itself as a wildly fun destination with the catch phrase “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

Going on vacation to indulge in a little fun and escape the realities of normal life, is well, what vacation is all about. The thing is, we live in such a hyper-connected world now that it’s near-to-impossible to escape who you really are.

For example, one guy we met claimed to be an NFL player. Not only did he not exactly have the build of an NFL guy, his name didn’t show up on any team roster he supposedly played with. Or how about the man who told my friend he was a weather forecaster back home but when she became Facebook friends with him, turns out he really works in sales. Oops.

Even on vacation, most people carry a smart phone. With Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google at our fingertips every second, identities are easily verified without having to employ spy-level tactics anymore.

The same can be true when dating during normal, non-vacation life. You might be tempted to embellish on an online dating profile in order to stand out from the crowd. The trouble starts when you meet someone you genuinely want to connect with. The relationship is built on a level of falsehood which makes for a shaky foundation.

You never know who you might meet, no matter where you might be, whether in Vegas or at the local grocery store. Keeping some information private is totally acceptable (and safe). Embellishing or flat-out falsifying your identity can ruin a good thing before it has a chance to begin. So keep it real, folks!

Kelsey Foster is a dating and relationship coach in Edmonds. She is releasing a new book soon titled Adios, Heartbreak. Find out more information on her website https://www.kelseyfoster.com.