Meeting
Off-line
Don't allow yourself to be pressured into meeting anyone.
If they threaten to terminate online correspondence
if you don't meet them within a certain time frame,
end your online connection. Nice people don't make threats
or put pressure on people they care about.
When you do decide to meet someone whose company you
enjoy online, meet in a public
place and bring your friends. Your online
buddy will understand and accomodate your wishes if
they are honest about their intentions towards you.
If during the date, you decide to go somewhere else,
use your own car.
Don't agree to hiking dates or meetings in remote areas
until you know someone very well. Plan a short initial
meeting. If, on meeting, you know you won't be seeing
this person again, sharing coffee and a little polite
chat won't be as painful as spending a long day together.
Keep the date light-hearted and fun and leave as originally
scheduled. Answer honestly if asked whether you'd like
to get together again. Tell
your friends and family where you are going, with
whom, and arrange to check in with them at a specified
time during the date and again when you arrive home.
If
you travel to meet your on-line love, make
your own hotel and car reservations and don't give out
the name of your hotel. Drive yourself to the hotel,or
take a taxi. Follow all of the recommendations above
about meeting someone for the first time. Provide your
family or friends with necessary contact information.
Getting
out of Trouble
If you start feeling unsure or uncomfortable about your
date, politely extricate yourself from the situation.
Excuse yourself and leave by the back door if necessary.
Do not hesitate to ask for help from persons nearby,
call your family, friends or the police if you feel
the situation warrants. Trust your judgement and don't
be afraid of potential embarrassment. Better to be embarrassed
than physically hurt.
If
you follow all of the previous recommendations, you
will feel safe and enjoy your on-line dating experience
to the fullest! Be happy, find love!
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