Online dating is generally extremely safe because it is distance dating and lets you get to know your potential matches anonymously before you meet in person. However, there are still some basic safety rules that you should observe before meeting relative strangers or arranging to meet them.
The thing you are missing when you meet someone on the internet is that intuition you experience when you meet someone face to face. Just a few seconds of conversation, watching mannerisms and body language tell you a huge amount about a person.
Although your internet chats might have been deep and meaningful, you are a big fan of the photo’s and you might even like their voice on the phone, but try to manage your expectations until you actually meet the person.
Use these tips for safe dating and while arranging your date:
- Always trust your instinct -- after all, it's gotten you this far in life already. Find out as much information about the person that you can (work, friends, family, living situation etc).
- Make sure you feel comfortable with whoever you are chatting with, at all times. Ask lots of questions when chatting with your potential mates. If someone is abusive or rude, block them immediately.
- Before agreeing to a date, make sure you know as much about the other person as possible. Make sure anyone you're talking to is willing to provide photos and information about himself or herself.
- Always meet in a well-lit public place. Choose a meeting place that you know well, meet them in there (not by your house or car).
- Chat on the phone for a while before arranging a date. Always tell a good friend where you are going and who you're meeting. Always carry a cell phone on a date.
- Manage their expectations, for example; ‘I would love to meet you for a chat over coffee for half an hour so we can see how we get on’.
- Don’t let them walk you back to your house/car at the end of the first date – say you are off to meet a friend and walk in the opposite direction. Do not accept a ride home on the first date or reveal your address.
-Keep your first date to a specified time limit so you always have an "exit" point. Never feel like you owe it to someone to meet them -- you don't!
- Don’t be pressured into arranging a second date there and then, just say you enjoyed meeting them and you’ll be in touch. You can then go back to chatting with them on the net if you find it easier.
These rules might seem like overkill, but the reality is that you are introducing yourself to complete strangers and should definitely take precautions. Following these and other safe dating strategies will make sure you can relax and enjoy yourself safely and without the fear that someone will take advantage of you.
There will also be people you’ll arrange to meet who will exceed your expectations, if this is the case you can arrange the second date to be more than just coffee and get to know each other a lot better!
