Safe Online Dating Tips
Online Dating can be a fabulous
experience, but like any new dating experience, you
should always exercise a little caution. In this
article, we will go over some crucial tips for safe
dating. We want you to be able to enjoy your online
dating experience to the fullest. These safe dating tips
will cover not only the online aspect, but meeting your
date in person for the first time. These are all good
solid tips no matter how the date came about – online,
an introduction from a friend, someone you met at a
party, wherever…
Safe
Dating Tip #1: Guard Personal Information
Be very carefully how much
information you reveal to someone, especially if you
plan to meet them in real life. Never give out your full
name, home address, place of work, home phone number or
any other information that can be linked back to your
place of residence. If you have a cell phone, give out
your cell number, but not your home phone.
Safe
Dating Tip #2: Get To Know The Person
Do not agree to meet someone in
person if you have not spent enough time conversing with
them online to be perfectly comfortable meeting them in
person. The whole purpose of online dating is to get to
know someone before you take that next step into
real-life dating.
Safe
Dating Tip #3: Choosing a Meeting Place
When arranging to meet someone
in person, choose a well populated, mutual meeting area.
Never have them pick you up at your home or place of
work. Remember, you do not really know this person. No
matter how comfortable you feel about them online, you
need to get to know the real person before revealing too
much information about yourself. Schedule a daytime
meeting, such as breakfast or lunch, so that there is
plenty of daylight. A good idea would be to meet at a
coffee house, public park, or any other well populated
place that you are both familiar with.
Safe
Dating Tip #4: Let Someone Know
If you plan to meet an online
dater in real life, make sure that you inform someone of
your meeting. A good friend or relative is ideal. Tell
them exactly when and where you are meeting this person,
and what time you expect to be home. If you do not
return home at this time, call the person to let them
know you are okay so they don’t get worried and
over-react. Be sure to give them all of the information
you can about the person you are meeting, just to be on
the safe side.
Safe
Dating Tip #5: Have a Backup Plan
It’s always a good idea to have
a back-up plan anytime you go on a first date. We’ve all
seen this in the movies, but have a friend or relative
call you at a specific time during your date. When they
ask how it’s going, plan a response for
“yes, it’s going good“
and a response for “no, get me
out of this“. An example for
“yes” would be something like,
“Oh hi! I haven’t heard from
you in so long. I’m so sorry though, I’m actually on a
date right now. Can I call you back later/tomorrow?“
If you want to get out of the date, say something like,
“Hi Mom/Dad/Sis. (pause) I’m
kind of busy right now, what’s the matter? (pause) He
did what? Oh no… okay, okay, don’t worry. I’ll be
there as soon as I can.“ Then
apologize to your date and tell them something happened,
etc…
Safe Dating Tip #6: Bring
Your Own Car
You should always bring your
own vehicle when meeting an online date in person. You
do not want to depend on them for a ride, especially if
you end up using the “bad date“
advice in our previous tip. It’s also a great way to
avoid them driving you home (refer to Safe Dating Tip #1
and #3).
Safe Dating Tip #7: Go
Dutch
For women especially, it’s
always a good idea to go dutch on your first date. For
those unfamiliar with the term, it means splitting the
bill. This way you can avoid your dating
“expecting something in return“
for footing the entire bill.
Safe
Dating Tip #8: Limit Alcohol Consumption
Never drink too much alcohol,
if any, on a first date. Alcohol impairs your judgment
and can often result in doing something you’ll regret in
the morning. It can also cause you to miss certain
warning signs. If your date gives you an uncomfortable
feeling it makes good sense not to do anything that will
interfere with your judgment.
Safe
Dating Tip #9: Rely on Instincts
We are all born with natural
instincts – that little subconscious area of our brain
that tells us when we are doing the wrong thing. If you
get a bad gut feeling about your date, don’t ignore it.
Instincts are our bodies natural way of telling us to
take caution. If for any reason at all you are not
comfortable, end the date immediately.
Safe
Dating Tip #10: Stay Alert
We already covered some of this
in the “avoid alcohol“
section, but it is very important to stay alert at all
times. Be aware of your surroundings and carry a cell
phone with you. Make sure there are always other people
around and that you don’t put yourself in a potentially
bad situation.
You can meet
some really great people online but taking some simple
precautions will help ensure that you have an awesome
online dating experience.
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