Online dating can feel like a minefield, especially when it comes to meeting someone for the first time. It’s important to remember that you don’t know this person, and there are certain precautions you should take before agreeing to meet them. Here are five things to consider before you meet someone for the first time after meeting through online dating.
Safety First: It’s always important to practice safety when meeting someone for the first time, particularly when you have only interacted online. Do some research on your date beforehand. Look up their social media profiles, search their name or email address, and check out their profile on the dating site you met on. This can give you an idea of who they are and help you decide if they seem like a safe person to meet. It’s also important to choose a public place for your first meeting, such as a cafe or bar. If you’re feeling uncertain about your date, consider bringing a friend along or asking them to call you partway through the date.
Talk on the Phone Beforehand: Talking on the phone before agreeing to meet can be an effective way to get a better sense of who your date is. This also gives you a chance to ask any questions you have about them that weren’t answered on their profile or in your exchanges online. A phone call can also help ensure that your date is who they say they are and that they look like their pictures online.
Be Honest: Honesty is always the best policy in online dating. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be honest about yourself and your expectations from the date and relationship. This can help ensure that you both have similar relationship goals and that neither of you is wasting your time with someone who isn’t looking for what you are. Honesty will also help build trust between you and your date, which is important for any relationship.
Keep an Open Mind: It’s easy to make assumptions about someone based on their profile, conversations, or photographs, so it’s important to keep an open mind when meeting someone for the first time. People can surprise us in both positive and negative ways, so don’t judge your date before you meet them in person. You never know, they could be completely different than what you expected.
Have Fun: Despite all of the consideration and caution that goes into meeting someone online for the first time, don’t forget to have fun. Online dating can be an exciting journey if done correctly, so take some time to relax and enjoy getting to know someone new. Be yourself, let go of any expectations, and have fun.
Meeting someone for the first time after connecting through online dating can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be if you take some time beforehand to consider a few things. Pay attention to safety measures, talk over the phone beforehand, be honest with each other, keep an open mind, and most importantly - have fun!
