How To Ensure Your Safety When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time; Crucial Tips For Women

Hi good people. I recently shared a post about the red flags you should not ignore when online dating. I feel the post would be incomplete if I didn’t give you tips on how to ensure your safety when meeting your online crush for the first time.  

Now, suppose you meet someone online, develop some chemistry, and don’t observe the red flags I talked about? In that case, you may both want to meet physically. Meeting physically can help both of you decide if you want to take the relationship to another level. 

If you decide to meet physically, all will likely go well. However, remember you’re meeting your online crush (stranger) for the first time. It’s good to ensure your safety when taking this huge plunge. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

How To Ensure Your Safety When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time

I can’t overemphasize the need to stay safe when meeting your online crush for the first time. While there are numerous success stories of people who met online, stories abound of people who got hurt, heartbroken, swindled, or even killed by their online lovers.

Here are things you can do to ensure your safety when meeting your online crush for the first time:

Have Video Calls With Your Online Crush Before Scheduling a Meeting

One way you can ensure your safety when meeting your online crush for the first time is to have several video calls with him. You see, during a video call, you see the person. You can thus tell if the pictures he’s already sent you match with the person on the video call.

In addition, you get familiar with his face during the video calls. So, you’ll definitely recognize him when you finally meet in person.

Note: If the person you saw in the pictures and video calls is different from the person who appears in person, run.

Meet Your Online Crush For The First Time During The Day

It’s best to meet your online crush during the day. This is for obvious reasons. Firstly, you can see the person clearly during the day. You can thus match the face you saw in the pictures and video calls with the face you see in front of you. 

In addition, daytime is safer than nighttime, especially if things don’t turn out as you expected.

Meet in an Open, Public Place For The First Time With Your Online Crush

The best place to meet your online crush for the first date is an open, public place. You see, an open, public place has people around. You are thus safer and more secure than in an enclosed, secluded place. You can easily get help if things go south.

Here are open, public places where you can meet your online crush for the first time:

• Restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Local museum
• The zoo

Here are places you should avoid when meeting your online crush for the first time:

• Avoid meeting at his place.
• Don’t invite him to your place.
• Avoid meeting in an Airbnb, lodging, or hotel room.

 

Charge Your Phone and Ensure It’s On Throughout

Before you leave for your date, ensure your phone is fully charged. This ensures that your phone doesn’t go off during your date. You can thus make emergency calls when the need arises. 

Also, ensure your phone is on throughout your date. This ensures that the necessary authorities, friends, or family can trace your location if you need help.

Inform Someone About Your Meeting and Share Your Location

It’s important to tell someone that you’re going to meet your online crush for the first time. You can either tell a close friend or a loved one. Never ever keep the meeting a secret. 

You see, you ensure your safety by telling someone about the date. You can always get help from the person if things go wrong.

Here are some details you can reveal about your meeting:

• The name of the person you’re meeting.
• The picture of the person you’re meeting.
• The phone number of your date.
• Time of the meeting.
• Location of the meeting.

Also, share your location with a loved one or a close friend. The person can trace your location easily if you’ve shared it with them. You can thus get help quickly if the need arises.

Also, it’s okay to inform your date that you have shared the above information with someone else. Your date thus gets to know that someone has got your back.

Arrange Your Own Transportation When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time

It’s important to have your own transport to and from the meeting point. Don’t allow your online crush to pick you up from your home or drop you home after the date. 

The reason is you don’t yet want him to know where you live. You can disclose that when you know him better.

In addition, you don’t want to be alone in the car with a “stranger”.

Have Your Own Money When Meeting Your Online Crush

This tip should apply not only when meeting someone for the first time but always. 

 

• Pay for your own transport.
• Split the bills – that way, you don’t feel like you owe the guy something. He also doesn’t feel like you owe him anything.
• You can easily leave if things don’t work out.

 

Have An Exit Plan In Case Things Don’t Work Out

When you get to the meeting point, it’s good to familiarize yourself with the place. For instance, start by finding out where the washrooms are. In other words, have an exit plan. 

Suppose the date doesn’t go as you hoped? In that case, you can excuse yourself to go to the washroom. You can call for help from the washroom or order a cab to take you home.

Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended

As I said earlier, your safety is paramount when meeting your online crush for the first time. So, avoid leaving your drink unattended. For instance, if you want to go to the washroom, it’s best to finish your drink first. Don’t leave anything in the glass. You can always get another drink afterward.

The reason is that someone can lace your drink while you’re away. If that happens, all manner of problems could befall you. 

Stay Sober When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time

I can’t overemphasize the importance of staying sober during your first date with your online crush. When you’re sober, you remain in control of your senses. If you get high, someone could take advantage of you, thus endangering yourself.

In addition, don’t allow your date to pressurize you to drink more than you can handle. It could be a way of trying to take advantage of you.

Avoid Intimacy When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time

When meeting your online crush for the first time, it’s best to avoid intimacy. By intimacy I mean sex. 

You see, if you decide to have sex on your first date, you could end up in a secluded place such as an Airbnb, hotel room, or lodging. That could put your life at risk, especially if the person has ulterior motives.

If you decide to have sex, it means all the precautions you had taken earlier would be in vain.

Trust Your Instincts When Meeting Your Online Crush For the First Time

Suppose you feel uneasy, uncomfortable, unsafe, or insecure when you finally meet your online crush for the first time? In that case, it’s best to trust your instincts. 

Don’t hesitate to leave the meeting immediately your gut feeling tells you something isn’t right. 

You don’t have to worry about appearing to be rude. Your safety comes first.

After leaving the meeting, you can even go ahead and block or cut any communication with the person.

Conclusion

Millions of people worldwide have found true love through online dating. You too could find your soul mate online. After meeting online, you may want to meet physically to find out if you’re a good match.

When you finally meet physically, it’s important to ensure your safety. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

I hope these tips will help you keep safe when meeting your online crush for the first time.

I’d love to hear about your first meeting with your online crush.

Also, share this post with others to help keep them safe. Cheers.

Also read: How to find love at any stage of your life: Never give up on finding love