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It is perfectly fine to reveal your first name in the early stages of your correspondence with an internet stranger. Beyond that, however, please use caution. Think to yourself, is it prudent to tell someone who you don't know from Adam (or Eve!) your last name, your home address, your work address or your telephone number? (The correct answer is NO). Until you feel extremely comfortable with the other person, it is best to use the nick name designed for that purpose.We believe there is a balance between a productive search for the perfect mate or a new friend and keeping safe at all times. You might ask, is it possible for me to be spontaneous without endangering life and limb? Our answer is a resounding "YES" - so long as you let your good instincts guide your actions.
In an effort to maximize your well being, without compromising your enjoyment, we offer the following tips.- Honesty is still the best policy. Let's face it, when you are typing away from a distance, it is easy to mislead (that's a euphemism, we really mean LIE!) about yourself. Honesty breeds honesty. Stick to the truth and, chances are, the other person will follow suit.
- Have you ever spoken to a business contact on the phone - and then when you met them, they looked entirely different from the way you had pictured? Exchanging a current photo (not the one taken at the beach 20 years ago when you were young, skinny and cute!) is a good way to determine whether you are attracted to the other person. But it is a good safety measure too.
- It is not a smart idea to be alone with someone you have just met. When arranging your first (or even second or third) meeting with a person, make it clear that you intend to meet in a public place and arrange all transportation on your own. It is also wise to advise a friend or relative where you will be. Do not let anyone pressure you into doing anything you are not comfortable doing. Err on the side of caution and all will be well!
- ALWAYS VERIFY THE OTHER PERSON'S REAL AGE FIRST BEFORE GETTING INTO A INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OR ANY SEXUAL ACTIVITIES WITH HIM OR HER.
Be aware that there are fake IDs. Again, use your common sense.
After spending adequate time chatting with someone, you have finally
reached a point that the two of you want to meet. After all, with online dating, this is the goal in the first place so seeing it
come to fruition is exciting! Just as you took precautions when
first starting out on the dating service, you now need to use
a new set of precautions when meeting in person.
-
Always meet in a safe, public location where there
are other people around. Make sure a friend or family member
knows where you are meeting, the time you are meeting, and the
time you will be leaving. If you are not sure how long the meeting
will take, use your cell phone to call the friend or family
member when you leave so they know you are on your way home.
Typically, a restaurant or coffee shop would be the best choices.
If you change your plans, always let someone know.
- Never have the person pick you up in his or her car. Instead,
you need to drive your own car so you have the opportunity to
leave if you feel uncomfortable or things do not go as planned. - Set up the encounter on a day and at a time when YOU are comfortable.
Do not feel pushed into meeting at a precise time or place. If
the other person insists that you meet where they say and when
they say, then cancel the meeting altogether. - Do not feel bad if you decide to cancel at the last minute.
Too often, people from online dating services are eager to get
things going, bypassing the friendship/courtship phase. Just follow
your instincts and if the person is not understanding about you
changing your mind or becomes angry, then you know it was not
meant to be. - If you need to fly or drive to another city or state to meet
this person, make your own hotel arrangements in a reputable hotel
and do not share the information. Rent a car at the airport upon
arrival so you can drive yourself to the hotel and to the meeting.
Do not agree to meet at the hotel lobby, as the purpose is to
have a safe haven should you need it. -
Coffeehouses – 47% meet at a coffeehouse where
the atmosphere is relaxed and low-key, inexpensive, and provides
the opportunity to talk in a safe environment.
- Restaurants – 28% choose to meet at a restaurant, preferably
at lunch or early dinner. You want to choose a warm and cozy restaurant
that is not too intimate so you both feel at ease. - Bar – 22% meet at a bar to have a few drinks and perhaps
dance. While this is not a bad option, it does have disadvantages
in that talking is usually difficult because of the music and
noise. Additionally, the scene of the bar usually creates too
many distractions so you and your date are no focusing fully on
each other. - Home – Only 3% meet at home and in reality, this should
be 0%! This is never a good option in that you really do not yet
know the person. - Parent’s Home – About 1% will meet at the parent’s
house but again, even thought the individual seems nice and everything
seems to be on the up and up, you do not know this person. Therefore,
this too is a bad choice.
[This tip was referenced from: http://www.onlinedatingtips.org/dating_tips/first_meeting.html]
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