While the main emphasis of dating safety is for the women, men do need to be careful and take precautions as well. Women just as much as men can go “psycho” on a date, particularly if you are meeting someone for the first time after some time getting to know one another online.

It can be quite exciting to meet someone face to face for the first time after corresponding and “clicking” online. However, no matter how much you seem to “know” that person, you still have to take some precautions. After all, you don’t really know this person at all! Here are some safety tips you should follow when meeting your online date for the first time:

1.  Never give up personal information - Do not give out your home address - period. This is simply not a smart thing to do for many reasons. Also, it is safest to give out your cell phone number rather than a home number that could be traced back to an address. Use a disposable email address when corresponding online and do not use your full name when chatting.

2.  Arrange a meeting place in public - Never allow your date to pick you up at your home or office. This gives them a trail that leads straight back to you should things turn sour. Choose a public place such as a mall or busy restaurant. In fact, inform your friends that you are meeting someone new and have them be in the vicinity to keep a covert eye on you or at least let someone know where you are at all times.

3.  Set date parameters in advance - Some ignorant people think that if they pay for the entire date, they are going to get something in return. Nip this perceived notion in the bud and go Dutch and express this BEFORE the date so both of you are on the same page. This eases the burden and expectations.

4.  Don’t let your guard down - Stay focused and alert. Do not drink alcohol in excess as it can blunt your decision-making skills. Drive yourself to and from the date or take public transportation and always stay in well-lit, public places. Keep your cell phone at the ready in case you have to call for help.

The most important thing to do is listen to your instincts. If you get the feeling that something is off or you don’t feel comfortable about something, put a stop to it and don’t do it. Make your excuses and leave under your own steam. Following a few basic, common sense principles when meeting your online dates for the first time can keep you in the action safely.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 3:57 am and is filed under Online Dating Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.