Online Dating: Safety Tips for the First Physical Date
Online dating is popular because it is so easy. For little or no money a month, thousands of single men or women are at your fingertips. Unlike traditional dating, you are not required to sit through a boring dinner date or a movie just to decide that your date was not for you. Online dating services allow individuals to get to know each and decide if they may be compatible, all before physically meeting. If you have tried or are in the process of trying to finding an online love interest, the time will soon come where you will think about meeting him or her.
Meeting a potential love interest over the internet is the perfect way to for many singles to find love. The first physical date or meeting is extremely important for more reasons than one. The first physical date will often determine if you and this other individual are right for each other. This first date is also important because you will learn if everything your date told you about themselves is true. Although there are a large number of legitimate online daters, there are a significant number of individuals who purposely lie with the intent to cause harm to others that they may meet. For this reason, there are a number of safety steps that you should take when you have your first physical date with another single from an online dating service.
The most important safety tip to remember when meeting an individual from an online dating service is to meet in a public place. It is all too common where first dates are held in a secluded area, away from others. Although this secluded area may be great for romance, it can also spell danger. The first date with an online suitor should always take place in a well lit public area. This will give you the opportunity to decide right away if you were provided with the correct personal information. It has also been proven that many criminals are less likely to attack or assault a victim when additional people are present.
Before you leave on your date, it is important that you tell at least two friends or family members exactly where you will be going and with whom. If you do not have your date’s full name, you should not even be going out then. It is important that you know as much information about your online date as possible. It is also extremely important that you stay where you informed others you will be. Changing plans at the last minute may sound like fun; however, you should keep in mind that no one may be able to find out where you are if something should happen.
Another mistake that is often made by women is bringing along a big bulky purse. Although “just incase” make-up may sound like a good idea, it is not always recommended. Items that should always be carried on a date include a wallet, a little bit of money, identification, and a cell phone. A large purse or additional items may put you at risk for theft.
If your first date goes as planned, you may change the rules of the game for the second date, if you wish. If your date does not go off as well as you originally hoped, you should keep in mind that there are literally a large amount of other fish in the sea! Thanks to online dating services, your search is easier than before.
