Meeting someone new can be exciting. Whether you’re set up through friends or meet online, that first face to face interaction can stir up a mix of emotions. However, keeping yourself safe should be the #1 priority. Here are some tips to keep in mind to just incase things don’t go as planned.
Tell your friends
Letting at least one of your friends know where you’re going and who you’ll be with is always a smart move. Arrange to check in with that person at least once during your date. There are also apps like Circle of 6 and bSafe you can use to alert friends and family of your location. One of your friends could also accompany you on the date, discreetly of course.
Meet in a public place
Even if your date seems nice, meeting them is a safe, neutral place is best for the both of you. Also, you should drive yourself to the date so you don’t have to rely on them for transportation. That way if your date ends up being unfriendly or things start getting weird, you can leave. Meeting in public allows you do to seen by other people and a good safety net.
Pay attention to red flags
If your date starts to make you feel uneasy, take that as a cue that maybe you should leave.
Some warning signs could be rudeness, inappropriate comments, touching, or if you just have a bad feeling, don’t ignore it. Remember, you can always ask the staff at your location for help leaving or to walk you to your car.
Set an end time
Whether you tell your date you have something else planned, or you just think it’s getting late, there’s nothing wrong with setting an end time. If you tell your date at the beginning that you’re meeting some friends for dinner/drinks, it lets the person know you only have a limited amount of time. It doesn’t need to be true, you’re just providing a cap on how long this date can go for. If you end up liking the person and want to stay a little longer, you can always change your mind.
Do some research
Googling your date can actually be pretty helpful. No, you won’t know everything about the person, but you can get an idea if they are who they say they are. No one wants to get catfished. This can be seen as nosey, but gathering basic information about your date is another precaution to take for your own safety.
Keep these in mind the next time you meet someone new!