First Date Safety: How To Protect Yourself On Date One
It’s safer to keep your personal information private, especially at first, until you’ve decided whether you trust your match with it. And most importantly, take as many precautions as you need to feel safe. This will reduce any anxieties, especially if your fear of first dates is down to meeting a stranger. 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.
You’re here to find connection, share some laughs, learn about someone new, and eat nachos. As Taylor Swift instructs, “Shake it off” and move on. Don’t just say the pre-programmed thoughts you have in your mind.
If you want to, you can turn on your phone’s location sharing with that person so they can track your whereabouts in case of emergency. However, we don’t recommend choosing somewhere you go often, like your local coffee shop, pub, or favourite restaurant. We also recommend picking the place if you’re having some anxiety about meeting your date for the first time. You have to remember that you’re basically meeting a total stranger, so you should do the most you can to minimise the risks. All profiles are verified, and we have strict guidelines on inappropriate behaviour so that you can feel safe on Wisp. As you prepare for your first date, consider using Glympse to enhance your experience.
I don’t mean to scare you, but when you agree to meet a stranger (from the internet!), you need to be smart and alert. To be safe on a first date, meet in a public place where other people can see you. Tell a friend where you’re going and when you expect to be home. You could even share your location with them so they can check in and see where you are if they haven’t heard from you by a certain time. Meeting someone from a dating app for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’ve exchanged messages, maybe had a few phone calls, and now it’s time to meet in person.
Tips For A Great First Date
Nervous about not having enough to talk about on a first date? Cheering on the home team will give you plenty of conversation fodder. While definitely more of a time commitment, you won’t have to worry about being completely alone with your date, if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Once you decide to go on a date, make sure that you choose somewhere public where there will be a lot of people around. Consider going to a restaurant, a cafe, or even a museum.
The right person will find your quirks and imperfections lovable, so there’s no need to shape-shift your way into a stranger’s approval. The sooner you and your date can be your authentic selves, the sooner you’ll be able to truly get to know each other. But that’s not a big deal if you set aside a monthly amount for dating in your budget. Just like every other category of your budget, you want to be disciplined about sticking within your boundaries. If your date gives you grief for sticking to your budget, that’s their hang-up, not yours. If you’re not the best at making conversation, it might help to have some topics in mind to talk about on your first date.
When you head out to meet a date IRL for the first time, tell one of your buddies where you’re going and who you’ll be meeting. Making sure someone knows where you are is a basic necessity. Trust your inner voice; if any situation or interaction during the date triggers a sense of discomfort or unease, don’t hesitate to prioritize your safety. Politely excuse yourself, stating a need to leave, and trust that it’s perfectly acceptable to prioritize your well-being. Your safety and peace of mind should always take precedence in any social interaction. Before stepping out for your date, take a moment to reach out to a trusted friend or family member.
One reader documented a guy friend faking being her dad, including pauses so she could “react” naturally. Using it in a shady situation can make it a convenient way to get out. Offer to have a FaceTime or phone call date prior to the IRL date. If they hesitate, it’s a good sign that it may not be right for you.
No, we’re not talking condoms here (though having condoms with you is always a good idea). Uber it or drive your own car and not only will you have a quick getaway if things get weird, but you’re also keeping your home address hidden from your date. It may sound a little overboard, but if no one knows you’re out, they won’t know they should be worried if something should go wrong. If James Franco’s character had just let someone know he was going out hiking, they would have known to look for him a whole lot sooner. Don’t reveal your actual number until you’re sure about a person. Google Voice can be tied in with your email and allows you to easily block a number if a meeting does not work out.
The first date definitely shouldn’t be one that involves time away from people, stick to public locations until you feel comfortable around this man. In every social situation, you should always be kind and compassionate. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s always important for you to put yourself first. Going to the bar can seem like an easy date activity, but for the first meeting you might want to stay dry.
As a dating coach and matchmaker, my top priority is to empower you to find a deep connection. It’s so much easier to relax and let love flow when you know the dos and don’ts of staying safe on a date. I’m all for being trusting, but putting some simple safety precautions in place when going to meet a stranger is a no-brainer. Not only will this decrease your chances of being put in an unsafe situation, but other people may also remember you being in that location, in the event something does happen to you.
Provide Your Own Transportation
- Knowing that someone else knows where you are going can give you a sense of security and make you feel more at ease during your date.
- Nervous about not having enough to talk about on a first date?
- But, what is more important than all of that is that getting drunk on a first date is unsafe.
- The truth is, you’re not for everybody, and not everyone is for you.
- And maybe a call to the restaurant makes more sense, before showing up.
You need to have a plan for something secondary that you can do if you both want to keep hanging out for longer but don’t want to stay at the first location. Well, if you’ve been using banking for a while, you know that things are not always reliable. What happens if you go to use your debit or credit card and your bank freezes it? You’ll want to have cash or a different card from a different bank so that you don’t look like LoveFort someone with financial problems on the first date. That way, you can pay for the date if you’re planning on it or if you weren’t planning on it but end up splitting the check.
While trust forms a vital foundation, complementing it with verification enhances your safety. When feasible, take proactive steps to validate the information shared by your date. Utilize available online resources, such as social media platforms or online profiles, to corroborate details and ascertain consistency with the information provided in person. Several innovative safety apps cater specifically to dating scenarios, offering a range of features designed to prioritize your security and comfort during first-date encounters. From real-time location sharing and discreet distress signals to instant assistance at the touch of a button, these apps provide a comprehensive safety net. Before your date, take the time to research and familiarize yourself with these tools.
Not that anyone leaves their house without a fully charged phone these days, but if it slipped your mind, always charge your phone as much as possible before you go on your first date. Sounds dramatic, but this really is the safest thing you can do when you’re going on a first date. There’s nothing wrong with asking your match for their socials before you head out together; chances are, they’ll probably want to look at yours too. Our clever algorithm only matches you with potential suitors, so you don’t have to spend hours weeding through profiles you aren’t interested in. Our mission is to inform parents, so kids can live happier and healthier lives. Our editorial processes adhere to our stringent editorial guidelines, ensuring articles, features, and reports are from reputable sources like the NHTSA.
Have A Travel Plan
Opting for personal transportation, such as your vehicle or a reputable taxi service, enhances your control over the situation. By relying on your own means or a trusted transportation service, you retain independence and foster a sense of security. Avoiding rides offered by your date during the initial encounter not only maintains your autonomy but also serves as a proactive measure to safeguard personal safety.
If this man says or does anything that makes you think twice, definitely keep track of this. Enough red flags should definitely sway your decision on whether or not to go on the date. Before ever agreeing to go out on a date with a man, make sure that you talk to him on the phone first. We’ve all heard the stories of people being catfished and men using fake pictures.
First date safety is paramount when meeting someone from an online platform. Our team has found that taking specific precautions can significantly enhance your security and peace of mind. Prioritizing safe transportation is crucial when preparing for a first-date.
Meeting someone from a dating app for the first time can be a wonderful experience, but it’s important to prioritize both communication and safety. Glympse provides a convenient and secure way to keep your date informed and ensure your own safety. With customizable short-term location sharing, you can share your location on your terms, giving you peace of mind and control. When you’re dating, safety needs to be your number one priority—full stop.
Helping your kiddos stay safe and well in all parts of their life. Most of the current Safety 1st car seats have a 10-year lifespan. Though you never crashed with your car seat, once it expires, repurpose it or sell it. The most important thing here is getting your child a quality car seat.
The whole purpose of a first date is to get to know the person you are going out with and for them to get to know you. If you’re drunk, you’ll have a hard time getting to know them, and they will be getting to know the drunk you. No one wants to go out with the person that cant’ keep their alcohol under control on a first date. No matter who you are going out with and how they choose to act on a first date, you should be on your best behavior and bring your manners.
Your personal safety is much less fun but an equally important aspect to consider while dating. By carefully preparing for your date, knowing the do’s and don’t’s while on your date, and knowing what to do in an emergency situation, you can be sure to have a fun, safe first date. First impressions matter, and punctuality is a big part of making a good one. But sometimes, life happens—you might get stuck in traffic, miss a train, or face unexpected delays. Instead of sending multiple texts or calls explaining your situation, you can use Glympse to share your real-time location with your date.
If you’re planning on getting intimate for the first time, consider having your friend check in after a predetermined time. Setting boundaries with someone can sometimes feel unsafe or even lead to violence. A phone ring can be a helpful interruption, giving you an excuse to leave. And an unanswered check-in can alert your safety person that something is wrong. And when you’re meeting up with someone for the first time, “don’t go to their apartment or to a non-specific location,” says Engle. “Try to meet somewhere where other people will be present.
It’s best not to divulge your address just yet, or agree to a ‘Netflix and Chill’ hangout at their place. It’s just too risky, so save the home dates until you know your date much better. But please make sure your mobile phone has plenty of battery so that you can call someone if you need to.
This is something you can easily do before meeting someone. It can also be incredibly valuable to set a time for your friend to check in with you while on the date. They can help ensure you’re safe and provide an opportunity or excuse for you to leave.
But it doesn’t matter how things change in the dating or technology world. We all need to have fun, explore new people and ideas, and have adventures. And the whole purpose of first dates is to connect, learn about people, and hopefully have fun, right? So let’s get at it—I’m sharing my best advice for a great first date. Have a plan about where you are going, when you are going, and any other details that need to be covered to make for a great date. If you’ve read any of our other articles, you know that we say first dates are not about impressing the other person, but they’re about finding out if there is compatibility.
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