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Safety in Dating : Tips and Recommendations
Online dating doesn't seem as strange as in the past, but your safety is still something you can't take for granted.
Whether you met this person online, at a singles event or even through friends, this person is still a stranger to you. Be cautious and consider this handful, but not complete, list of dating tips to keep you safe at this point in the relationship.
Privacy Matters!
When you are online, it is very easy to shield your personally identifying information, while still being able to correspond. Here are a few major items to omit:
- Your Last Name, Family and Friends Names
- YOUR PHONE NUMBER
- Your Current Employer or School
- Your Address or Normal Driving/Walking Routes
Disposable Emails:
Emails are a VERY easy tool to protect your personal information. You can go to Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Gmail or any other handfull of free email services. DON'T use identifying information in the email either... Your first initial and a few random letters will work fine. Keep seperate emails for each different service that you use. If any email conversations become a problem - simply dispose of the email address.
A First Date?
Here is the more risky aspect of online dating. Make sure that you take care while getting to know this other person.
- Always Drive or Walk to the Date Yourself - Don't get picked up on the first date.
- If you walked, be careful of your route home, make it well lit and public.
- Make sure friends know where you are and when you expect to get home. Call friends when once you are home and safe.
- Don't meet anywhere that is not a public, trafficed place. A bright restaurant or coffee shop will do fine.
- Watch your alcohol consumption. Mistakes may come easier when you are a little tipsy.
- We all have cell phones and now is the best time to have your friends numbers on speed dial. If you don't have a phone, borrow a friends cell.
Final Thoughts...
Trust your gut instincts and common sense.
Going home with the person on the first date is not a good idea. You will get more opportunity later.
You don't have to show your date your license to prove your age - remember it also has your address.
Simply put : Don't put yourself in a bad place, think first.
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