Added: 09/13/2006 |
Secure datingTry to collect as much information about your date as possible. Don't be afraid to ask many questions. Find out where your dates grew up, what kind of educational background they have, and where they work. These are key questions to find out who this person really is. Be suspicious. If someone is avoiding any personal identifying information, if there are any gaps or discrepancies in their stories, or if your date is providing vague answers to your questions, this is a red flag. Back away or continue with a great deal of caution.
Remember to provide accurate information about yourself. Be specific about physical appearance. If you are communicating via Internet and have not seen your potential date, begin with a request for a recent photo and send them a recent one of you. If someone would not send you a picture, this is another warning sign. If he or she continuously comes up with an excuse, it means that person wants to hide something.
Chat on the telephone to learn more about your potential date. A phone conversation can reveal a lot about personality and communication skills of your date. Your safety is worth the cost of the call. But never give out your phone number to a stranger. Trust takes time to build up. Only when you feel completely safe, you should provide your phone number. If you don't feel comfortable while talking with this person, then it is safer to back away and look for another match.
If you decide to meet for a date, proceed with caution. Insist on meeting on your terms. Set the conditions for your date and do not let the other person change them.
Remember, you really do not know someone until you spend time with him/her in person.
Make sure you know a full name, address, and telephone number before arranging a date with someone you have never met.
Think twice before going out with someone who will only give you a pager or work phone number. There is a very good chance this person is married.
When you've got your date's phone number, come up with a reason to call unexpectedly. It's a good way to find out if he/she is married or has a live-in girlfriend/boyfriend.
Find out where the person works, and if you can, call him/her at work.
Let your friends know where your date will take place and when you are expected to come back. Leave your date's full name and telephone numbers with that person. If your date insists on keeping it secret, this is a very bad sign. Be alert.
Always meet in a public place in the neighborhood that you are familiar with on your first date. Stay near other people.
Getting together in a coffee shop at a time no later than mid-afternoon, a few hours before it gets dark is a safe and casual way to get to know each other.
Set a timeframe. Keep the first date short. Meet for breakfast or at a lunch break.
Never leave the table with your drink still filled. Do not try an unattended drink.
Always carry a cell phone. It's a great safety measure when you are going out with someone new. You might ask someone to call you during the date to check if everything is going fine.
Never let your date pick you up from your home. Giving your address out to a stranger is not prudent. Meet in a public place so that you can leave if you don't feel safe.
Pay attention to everything that your date has told you about him/herself. If you find out that this person has lied about anything, this is another red flag.
Do not bring your date back to your place after the first meeting. You do not know this person. Use common sense and trust your intuition.
Play it safe. Control your love life. Get to know what you are getting into before you invest your feelings, money, or your life. Information is the key.
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