Meeting Face To Face

So you are going to meet face to face.  You have met someone online who seems to be compatible, seems to be trustworthy, and you are both ready to meet in person.  What do you need to do to ensure your first face-to-face meeting is safe?

Select an appropriate location

Your first few face-to-face meetings should occur in a public place.  Pick a location that is familiar, easy to access, and easy to leave if necessary.  Arrange to meet at a time when there will be many other people around, and always drive your own car or arrange your own transportation both to and from the meeting.

Let someone know

Always make sure that someone knows where you are going, whom you will be with, and how long you expect to be there.  Give this information to a friend, a relative, or someone else you trust.  For an extra measure of safety, arrange to call this person early on in the meeting, just to let them know you are safe and the meeting is going well. 

Have an exit strategy

To be extra safe, have an exit strategy in your mind prior to the meeting.  If at any point you feel uncomfortable or find that your date is not who you thought he or she would be, use your pre-determined strategy to excuse yourself and end the date early.  And if you ever feel in danger or threatened in any way, do not wait to give a reason or excuse, just leave.  In an extreme case, you can ask a nearby person for help or even call the police.  Do not be embarrassed and do not hesitate, because your safety is more important than any other consideration.

Extra safety when away from home

If you are traveling away from home to meet someone, there are some extra safety precautions you should take.  Make your own travel arrangements, including hotel and rental car, and do not share this information with your date.  Go directly to your hotel, and then scout out the meeting location prior to the scheduled meeting time.  If it appears in any way unsafe or inappropriate, do not go through with the meeting.  Return to your hotel and contact your date, letting him or her know that you are not comfortable with the meeting spot.  Whether you arrange an alternate meeting location is entirely up to you, but do not feel obligated to do so if your instincts are telling you to back off and be more cautious.

Final thoughts

Whenever you decide to meet someone face to face for the first time, always trust your instincts.  Most of the time your internal senses will be right, even if your head or heart think otherwise.  If your instinct tells you something is not right, then err on the side of safety and back away.  No date or meeting is worth risking your health and safety.