6 First Date Safety Rules for Women

The internet can be one of the best platforms for finding a man who shares the same Catholic faith, ideals, and love for God as you do.  Sadly though, the internet can also be a breeding ground for dangerous people who use online dating services for the wrong reasons.  Because you never know who you might meet on the web, when communicating with online Catholic singles it is imperative that you use your best judgment to maintain the highest level of emotional and physical protection.  So with the following guidelines, you can plan a safe first date with your cyber guy and still have an enjoyable time.

#1:  Check him out.  Before you dash out on the town with a gentleman you’ve never met, you might want to do a little more prep work than just putting together a fabulous outfit with a spritz of your best perfume.  You might also want to run a background check on your potential match.  There are many websites that can do exactly that, but you can also easily do one on your own.  Type his name into Google and various social networking sites and see if you can uncover any incriminating evidence indicating that the guy’s not who he says he is.  What you find may help you decide whether or not you’d be better off staying home with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

#2:  Meet him in a crowded place.  The first few times you go out with someone you met online, the smartest thing to do is to meet them at a busy, public venue and never rely on your date for transportation.  Places like coffee shops, restaurants, daytime parks or museums all provide a casual and relaxed atmosphere where you can feel comfortable getting to know someone.

#3:  Tell a friend.    Of course you want to share all the details of your new cyber dating life with those closest to you!  But other than just dishing on how devastatingly handsome your new guy is, you need to let a friend or family member know his name and where you are going on your first date.  Be sure to keep your cell phone handy and call this friend or family member as soon as you get home to let them know you’re safe.

#4:  Limit the information you give.  If you’ve gotten to the point in your online communications  when you feel like its time for an in-person meeting, then most likely you’ve spent quite a bit of time talking and learning about each other over the internet.  But while on your date, still be cautious about what you divulge in conversation.  It is best to keep information like your home address, place of work and other personally identifying material under wraps until you know for sure what kind of guy you are dealing with.

#5:  Be aware of your surroundings.  The idea of meeting someone you’ve connected with over the internet is very thrilling. As exciting as this is, however, it is important that you not sacrifice your safety to please someone else.  You can have an enjoyable experience, but be mindful of what is going on around you at all times.  Watch out for your belongings, especially your drink—and be sure to skip the alcohol as it will only impair your judgment.

#6:  Trust your gut.  Should you feel that something is off or wrong during any part of your first date, listen to that feeling.  Don’t be afraid of bowing out of your date early if the guy is making you uncomfortable.  Any gentleman pursuing you for the right reasons will understand your need for security and won’t question your safety precautions.