Dating Safety Tips
When dating someone for the first time, it is always important to take precautions to protect yourself from any surprises.
Here are some quick dating tips to remember before you go out alone on a first date:
- Take a mobile device with some speed dial settings to loved ones, friends or emergency services when meeting someone from an online dating profile.
- Always meet for the first time in public surroundings. Arrange to meet in a place you feel comfortable and that has visibility. It is always better to have access to help from strangers if it becomes necessary.
- Before your first date with someone, always tell a friend or family member that you are meeting someone new. Tell them know who they are and how you met them online if this applies. Let them know where you agreed to meet or go for the night. Let them know your best approximation of your times for return.
- Do not be afraid to send “all is fine” messages throughout the date to whomever you informed above. Relieving them of any worries in case they are wondering how things are going is important to keep in mind.
- Avoid first date encounters in places where you are completely alone with the individual such as their car or home. While the car may be unavoidable for transportation purposes, consider the fact that this is still a risk. It is better to meet your date first in public to get acquainted before releasing complete trust in their hands while in private. This would be especially true after having drinks and your new partner is your only transportation after the fact.
- For women, it is not unwise to have safety devices also such as whistles, mace, or any other items that you feel comfortable using. It is important in case your date surprises with inappropriate advances or contact.
- For men, understand that many women who may be meeting you for the first time are possibly very nervous. Any aggressive or unwanted advances could result in a reaction listed in the previous tip and could be a deal breaker in the relationship.
- For both men and women, be prepared to practice safe sex in any number of available ways. The last thing either of you need is regret or damage to the other simply by omission or carelessness in prudent measures beforehand.
- For the outdoors or adventurous type dates, try not to take too much risk that is outside of your comfort zone. The last thing either of you want also is a trip to the hospital or medical clinic because of an injury you suffered while attempting something that you have never done before.
- Probably the safest tip for first date encounters, don’t rush into a first date meeting. Give your partner and yourself time to get to know each other through calls or online communications. While your new friend may seem perfect for you after one or two calls be patient. The real test may be the third or fourth calls to learn the patience level of your potential partner. Your new friend’s intentions may be exposed later after spending more time in the feeling-out process.
While the person you met online may appear completely normal, you can never be 100 percent certain this person has the best intentions.
