Moreover, arranging a reliable means of transportation in advance, whether it’s confirming a ride-sharing service or having access to public transport schedules, adds an extra layer of preparedness. Before you head out, tell a friend or family member that you’re going to send them a code if you feel uncomfortable and want to leave. First dates are nerve-wracking enough just worrying about how you look and whether or not you’ll hit things off with the other party.

Seeing a band or a comedy show is perfect if you’re looking for something with similar safety precautions as a sporting event…but with less sports. Signs of disrespect may help inform you about how safe or kind the person you are dating is, says Ms O’Brien. Before meeting face to face, it’s also important to consider safety when connecting online.

By following our guidelines, you can enjoy your first date without unnecessary worry. Be yourself, be honest, and express appreciation for their time. The goal is to see if there’s a connection and to leave a positive impression for a potential second date.

Social

• Be yourself, be honest, and express appreciation for their time.
• The last thing you want is to be blackout drunk with someone you’re just getting to know.
• Offer to have a FaceTime or phone call date prior to the IRL date.
• If you don’t have a car, take a cab, public transportation, or ask a friend to drop you off and pick you up.

It’s smart to keep a few details to yourself on a first meeting. Don’t share things like your home or office address right off the bat. The first date is all about getting to know each other, so you’re sure to tell him all sorts of details about yourself and your life. Don’t tell this man what company you work for, what school you go to, and don’t mention any of your friends names to him. Though it can be rude to text during a date, be sure to text either a friend or family member once you arrive for the date, sometime during the date, and after the date. If you head to the bathroom, don’t think twice about sending a friend a text with a quick note about how things are going.

“We can create a little bit more safety by being able to trust ourselves. “A black or brown person might experience racism or microaggressions on the app.” Certain communities will be more at risk online, for example, people of colour and people with disability, says Kassandra Mourikis. A year on from a divorce or long-term relationship breakup is about the right time to enter the dating world, says Auckland sex therapist Jo Robertson.

Children viewing the eclipse should be supervised at all times to prevent accidental eye exposure. Dal Student Life is dedicated to sharing the stories you’re living—those experiences of what it’s like to be a student at Dal. Our content is created for students, by students, and we know everyone has a story to tell. If you’re in a situation where you have to leave your drink behind for a couple minutes, (like to go to the bathroom or make a quick phone call), don’t feel bad about ditching it when you get back. But “trusting our gut is one of the most important things we have when meeting new people and dating”, says Jacquie O’Brien.

While hoping for the best, it’s prudent to prepare for unexpected situations. Equip yourself with essentials such as a reasonable amount of cash, ensuring you have enough for transportation or unforeseen expenses. A fully charged phone serves as a lifeline, enabling immediate communication with someone you trust in case of need.

Do You Have Any Online Dating Safety Tips?

Something as innocent as saying “let’s meet here, it’s right by my work” may reveal more than is safe when first getting to know someone. Jacquie O’Brien is the director of communications and community change at Respect Victoria and suggests choosing a dating app that has taken steps to improve user safety. Both people involved in a date are responsible for creating a safe environment, she says, because “we all have capacity to cause harm, make someone feel uncomfortable, and discriminate”. Trust Your Instinct At the end of the day, you have a gut instinct that’s usually pretty accurate.

Online dating is becoming increasingly popular, but the truth of the matter is dating anyone from the Internet, no matter how long you’ve been talking to them, can be risky and dangerous. The important part about all of this is to date wisely (no catfishing!) and safely, and to know how to protect yourself. Your date should not be pressuring you into having sex with them. If that’s the case, turn them down and go home—better yet, call a friend to meet you.

Before heading out on https://thesakuraladies.com/ your date, make sure to inform a close friend or family member about your plans. Share details such as the name of your date, where you’ll be meeting, and what time you expect to return. This way, someone will be aware of your whereabouts and can check in on you if needed. Additionally, consider arranging a discreet signal or code word with your friend that you can use if you feel uncomfortable and need an excuse to leave the date early.

“I tell people to get creative, and make it a friend date,” says relationship expert Natalia Genevieve. “There are less expectations and it takes a thumb of pressure off.” If you decided you liked your date, you can move on to more intimate meetups from there. Don’t hesitate to check to see if he’s had any run-ins with the law either. The more investigating that you do, the better off you’ll be when you go on the date. Again, keep track of red flags and do your homework before meeting this man. If you feel uncomfortable or have bad vibes at any point during the date, you can always leave!

Again, finding a popular, public place to meet up is one of the easiest ways to ensure your safety. Happy hour is doubly perfect since you know there will be plenty of people around should you not feel safe one-on-one. Dinner at your favorite local restaurant is also a great option if you’re looking for public date places and want to limit how much you’re drinking. Meet in a Public Place Always choose to meet in a public place—the more people, the better.

By following these safety tips and staying alert, you can enjoy the excitement of a first date while ensuring that you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Remember, your safety is paramount, and it’s always better to be proactive and prepared. If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from friends, family, or local authorities.