I have my own set of safety rules for dating. And they have evolved rather drastically over the years. From getting my own drink, to sniffing it to make sure it’s not spiked, I have held on to the pepper spray tighter than his hand sometimes.
Call me paranoid, but whether it’s someone I met online or a friend’s friend, I believe in being extra cautious with strangers. For all my girlfriends out there, here’s a sneak peek in to my sacred bible of online dating safety tips.
Play Sherlock: Stalk him and do it well. You don’t have to feel guilty, you’re doing it for yourself. Look out for red flags; if the information doesn’t add up, then you need to back off a bit. Remember that a background check is the key to a successful relationship.
Meet in a public place: Fix a date in a busy place and save the secluded romantic dates for later. A restaurant near your place or the one you usually hangout at are good options too. Also, keep a friend or sibling informed about your date. They can also come and rescue you in case your prince turns out to be a frog.
What goes online, stays online: Let’s start with a simple exercise: Google yourself and click on the Images section. You’ll be amazed at the information that pops up! So when you pick a picture for the online dating website/app, make sure it is not the one you are using on Facebook. It reduces your chances of getting stalked.
‘Add as friend’ syndrome: As tempting as it may seem, do not share your number or share your Facebook/Twitter and other social account details with a stranger. Unless of course he’s moved out of the ‘stranger zone’.
There, you go! Online dating is all about being yourself, and having fun, with a bit of caution. Good luck! 🙂
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