21st Century Dating Tips That Keep You Safe

By Dorthy Weatherbush
Dating has been a way to meet people, learn more about them and eventually know. We derive physical enjoyment and excitement from dating overly when we are on the quest to find our partner for the meantime or for life. However, there has been alarming violence happening on dates, especially with blind dates where you meet a person for the first. It is always best to be at your guard before taking a dive in this emotional and social activity. Here some tips that will keep you safe when dating.

Choosing a location of your date is a concern that you need to look deeply into. Never give exact information where you live and never invite someone to your house for a first date. It is always better to set up your first date in a public place, where you can be surrounded by people, such as art galleries or a restaurant. This way you will not be on your guard always, worrying about something dangerous that might happen. You might also feel comfortable choosing to meet an earlier time of the day, better yet if the sun is still shining.

Conversation is the main course on any date, but avoids giving too much personal information, such as where you work, especially in the first date. It is acceptable being discreet in the beginning, telling your date anything about your work on a need to know basis.

Don't allow someone to get you into something that you are not comfortable doing. Be in charge of yourself and don't be misguided. That could mean making a rain check for an offer of coffee at your date's house towards the end of the date. He/she might try to persuade you but always make sensible decisions with help of your instincts and your logical mind. Things are better made when not rushed.

Always inform a good friend of who you are dating and where your planning on going. If you have any doubts, schedule a time for your friend to call you and check everything is alright. Keep your mobile phone with you at all times. If you live alone, it might be reassuring to have that friend wait there for your return.

Plan your travel arrangements when going on a date. It might be that your date might give you a lift to your meeting place or back to your place, until you know them better, politely refuse and take either the public transport, your own car or a friend drive you to your destination and back home.

Keep your first date to a specified time limit. Letting them know that you have other arrangements later on in the day will allow for an "exit" point.

Be careful on your alcohol intake, especially on your first date, most especially with someone who was previously a complete stranger. You do not want to allow yourself to be vulnerable and very easy to be taken advantage. Drinking too much alcohol might lead to things that you really don't want. Keep clear of what you know and stick to your limits.

These rules might sound like coming from your overprotective father, but you will never know when you will get entangled with the activity of introducing yourself to a complete stranger, especially at the height of online dating. Following these and other safe dating tips you will be able to take your mind of the worry about being safe on your date and focus more on the dating itself.
About the Author:
Dorthy Weatherbush got her sister to sign up for e-Harmony because she is single and looking to mingle. With www.eharmony.com, she has been able to meet new people and has gone out on lots of interesting dates.