By adopting safety guidelines and enforcing them you can safely meet and date. Excessive time need not be wasted on endless emails and chatting sessions before determining if this person is date worthy. This is contrary to what a lot of dating gurus will tell you. Experienced online daters have found that the longer you wait to meet someone the more at risk you are in thinking they are someone they are not. Time is precious. Don't waste a lot of time talking with a faceless stranger. Sometimes you meet and find that this person isn't whom you thought--maybe in person their voice grates on your nerves. Perhaps they stated in their profile they are of average weight and turn out to be underweight or they are three inches shorter than you are. Perhaps there just isn't any chemistry!
you remain online. You must actually meet the person face to face. Everything plays a part in your attraction and interest in this person including how you physically interact with each other.
After a few good emails or chatting sessions on Instant Messenger you should be able to determine if you feel this person is worthy of your trust in giving them your unsearchable phone number. If after a few conversations you do not feel comfortable enough to meet this person there is a reason. Forget them and move on to someone else. However, if you feel comfortable after a phone conversation or two then follow the safety guidelines and meet!
Learn from those who have been there before you. Don't repeat the same mistakes they and I have made. Make a pact with yourself to follow safety guidelines, use common sense and trust your gut. Doing so will allow you to venture into the online dating sites in a manner that is safe!
- Never give out personal information. If they ask where I live I give them a general answer without specifics. I live in a very small town so when I post my profile to the site I always list the nearest large city as my residence.
- Never meet the date in person before you feel somewhat comfortable. If, after one email he says he wants to meet, tell him you would like to talk a little more first. Then after talking a little more online if you feel comfortable then you can proceed to exchange phone numbers. Give him your cell number only. To make sure your cell number is not search-able go to www.anywho.com. If your phone number is search-able call your cell company to find out how to make it hidden.
- Assess his conversation for honesty and integrity. Compare his dating profile to what he is telling you. His profile must match his conversation. If there are any red flags, end the conversation without making a date and cut all ties at this point. If during the telephone conversation, you are feeling reasonably secure with no conflicting information and no bad gut feelings, then proceed to accept a date if asked.
- Meet in a public place. Lunch dates are a great way to meet someone without committing to more than a short time together. It's daylight; therefore well lit and there will be plenty of people around. Coffee dates are another alternative.
- Give a relative or friend information about your date. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
- Take your cell phone with you. If you don't have a cell phone then borrow one.
- Meet your date at the predetermined location. Do not allow him to pick you up at your home, go to his home or meet him anywhere besides the place you are going.
- Don't drink. Alcohol may make you take unnecessary risks and if the date is not on the up and up he might use this advantage.
- If after the meal, your date wants you to go somewhere with him in his vehicle tell him "not this time". Do not get in his car to talk. If you decide to go somewhere else after the meal then meet him there. Make sure it is also a public place.
- Online daters agree unanimously that the number one safety tip for online dating is to trust your gut instinct. If at any time you get a bad feeling it is crucial to end contact immediately!
you remain online. You must actually meet the person face to face. Everything plays a part in your attraction and interest in this person including how you physically interact with each other.
After a few good emails or chatting sessions on Instant Messenger you should be able to determine if you feel this person is worthy of your trust in giving them your unsearchable phone number. If after a few conversations you do not feel comfortable enough to meet this person there is a reason. Forget them and move on to someone else. However, if you feel comfortable after a phone conversation or two then follow the safety guidelines and meet!
Learn from those who have been there before you. Don't repeat the same mistakes they and I have made. Make a pact with yourself to follow safety guidelines, use common sense and trust your gut. Doing so will allow you to venture into the online dating sites in a manner that is safe!