8 Tips To Keep You Safe For Your First Online Dating Experience

It’s no longer considered a taboo to meet and date people on online. However, just as you would with a blind date your best friend set you up with, you should exercise caution when you are meeting someone for the first time (or second time) from an online dating site. Below are some tips to help keep you safe on your first encounter to, hopefully, everlasting love.

1. Always keep a friend/relative informed of where you will be going on your date. You can never be too cautious; it’s a good idea to let a friend or family member know where you will be going on your date and whom you will be meeting. If you have his/her phone number, it’s a good idea to leave that with your friend or family member as well.


2. Meet in a public setting. While we all want to be romanced and swept off our feet, especially if he offers to send a limo, you should resist. Offer to meet your date in a public setting, preferably at a restaurant, or busy coffee shop. You may even want to consider going out with a group of people, or double dating. Don’t provide your home or work address until you feel comfortable with your date. If he or she insists on picking you up, this could be a red flag, and you might want to reconsider the first date.


3. Avoid secluded areas. Stay in a public place for your first date and avoid secluded areas such as parks, alleyways, if he suggests a walk, or an off beat path.


4. Go “dutch” on the first date; offer to pay half the bill. While there are plenty of gentleman still left, if he offers to pay the entire bill, politely decline and offer to pay your half. Unfortunately, some men expect something in return from you if they pay the entire bill.


5. Avoid over drinking of alcohol on your first date. Drinking alcohol can impair your judgment. When you are on a date, especially for the first time, you want to be as alert as possible. Not only does alcohol impair your judgment, it makes you less inhibited. Also, if you do decide to have a drink, always keep an eye on your glass, “slipping” a date rape type drug in to your glass is easy and quick. Bu the best option is to avoid consuming alcohol on your first date.


6. Be alert and keep your guard up. On your first date, you want to get to know your match. While you should enjoy your time out, you should also stay alert and keep your guard up, approaching the situation with caution. Your date may claim to be religious, or a great guy/girl, but the bottom line is you need to learn that over time rather than just take their word for it.


7. Don’t let him/her know where you live. After the date it may seem enticing to take your date home. It’s best to skip this part on the first date. If you are interested in your date, arrange for a second one. Let him or her know you will call them soon


8. Give your date your cell phone number. It’s much safer to give your date a cell phone number than your home number. If you don’t have a cell phone, either invest in one if you’re going to be dating, or let them know you will call them.