Dating safety

Dating can be a fun and rewarding experience. Unfortunately, dating also has a dark side that should never be overlooked. Although meeting new people can be fun, many dates start off with being asked out by a stranger. Although, you may want to go on a date with this person, safety should be practiced.

For unknown reasons, the same people who won’t give out any personal information on a phone will go on a date with a stranger without making inquiries about their residence. If you are asked out on a date, ask that person where he/she lives. If they don’t tell you, they could be hiding something. Reasons for not providing an address may include:

* They live in a bad neighborhood;
* They don’t have a permanent residence or could be homeless;
* They live with mommy and daddy; and
* They may have a spouse

If dating a total stranger, it may be best to meet at a public place. This gives you an advantage. Here are a few of them:

* You can decide when you want to leave;
* If your not comfortable giving your address to a stranger, a public place is best; and
* If your date gets intoxicated, you can drive yourself home.

Here are some ideas for great public meeting places. These places are typically full of people:

* Lunch or Breakfast date
* Coffee Shop
* Art Museum
* Dessert date

Now, here are some not-so-good meeting places to meet:

* The woods
* After hours at a local park
* His or her home
* Alone on a beach

Some of these not-go-good places may be fine after getting to know your date but may not be suitable for a first date. Other tips include carrying your own money in case you need to leave. Also, if possible, let a friend or relative know about your date or bring them along…strength comes in numbers.

If you are feeling really uncomfortable about a date, follow your intuition and just say no. It’s definitely better to be safe than worry about hurting someone’s feelings. When dating, always take safety measures.