DATING SAFETY TIPS:
First Dates or meetings
SafeCheckIn can be used for any time you are meeting with others in
public or private. Regardless of your feelings of trust for the other
person involved, you should at least apply these safety rules when
meeting anyone for the first time.
1) Once you've
agreed to meet face to face, don't ask the other person to pick you up.
Get yourself to and from the date, even if you have to beg a ride off
of a friend or take a taxi.
2) Before you go,
“Check Out” and just to be safe, make sure that several friends and
family members know where you're going, whom you're going with and when
to expect you back..
3) Always meet in a public
place. A public place does not mean a parking lot - they are not
monitored closely enough to be considered safe. Make your first meeting
a lunch or coffee date. If the sparks don't fly, it's much easier to
say that you have a meeting or some other commitment that requires you
to end the date prematurely.
4) Stay in a
public place. If they pressure you to go elsewhere, say NO. If they
pressure you, they obviously don't care about your feelings - don't
spare their feelings. End the meeting and leave. If they start to
follow you to where you've parked, stop and hail a cab. Come back later
for your car with a friend or family member.
5)
Bring a cellular phone. If you need help or feel a little nervous,
excuse yourself to the bathroom and call for back up! Put together an
instant, "accidental" meeting with a friend. They're also good for
emergencies or in case you think your online love is an offline stalker
who's following you home. Use the cellular phone to call the police -
just don't head back home. Keep the person far from there. Drive to a
police station if you feel it's necessary.
6)
Never leave your personal belongings unattended. A purse or wallet
contains all your personal information. In your jacket pocket could be
your keys. Just don't take the risk.
7) Do not leave your beverage unattended. If you do, nonchalantly ask for another drink.
8) Stick with non-alcoholic drinks or drink light. Being drunk is not a good way to be safe.
9) If all goes well, set-up another date before the first one comes to
an end. Use your best judgment and gut instincts to determine whether
or not the other person worthy of a second date. Be sure that this
second date (and any others thereafter) incorporates all of these
safety tips (including Checking Out and Checking In). You're worth the
effort! If the other person truly cares about you, they'd expect
nothing less.
Extra Tips for Meeting a Long Distance Interest
Be sure to use all of the tips mentioned above, plus the following tips if you plan to travel to meet your online interest:
1) DO NOT plan to stay at the other person's home for your visit. If
you cannot afford a hotel at least for the first night, do not go.
2) If you've made hotel reservations, do not tell the other person what
room you're staying in. They don't need to know that information at
first.
3) Be sure to keep in touch with friends
and family. Have a schedule in place as to when you should call. And
make sure they know where you're staying and how to reach you.
4) Just in case...keep your valuables in an in-room safe or in with the
front desk - they often have safety deposit boxes available for free or
a minimal charge
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