When you are able to hold a good conversation with someone online, you may both decide that you are ready to meet in the real world. A lot of options are available to help break the ice. However, it is important to remember that you must put your safety first. Both sexes, but especially females, should be exceptionally careful when they are meeting people for the first time. No matter how long you have spoken online, you have to remember that it is still someone that you do not know well enough to trust completely. Use common sense when you are meeting in person for the first time.

First, you should suggest that the date take place in a very public area. Restaurants are a great place to start because they give you a chance to converse so that you can get to know each other a little better. You can also suggest other public places as long as they are not too secluded. Concerts work well, for example, but walks in the park are not recommended since there are often wooded areas in which your date and you will be alone.

Prepare your personal safety by telling a trusting person whom you are close with (like a family member or best friend) that you are going on a date. Tell them to call you periodically to check on you. If you’ve exchanged telephone numbers with your date, make sure you leave a copy of the number with that trusting person. (Do this for possible emergency situations).

You should also suggest planning your date during the daytime rather than at night. You will be able to see one another much better and it is less dangerous and less likely that a predator could victimize you in the daytime, since there are other people around. In either case, always find a good common meeting ground for your date. It is also dangerous to get into a car with someone that you have not met. Remember that it is easy to lie online. It is easy to continue to lie in person as well. As you know, it takes time to get to know someone. Therefore, it takes time to learn to trust in them as well. Becoming familiar with your date’s friends, family, co-workers and personal habits is part of the foundation of learning to trust and is a big part of what dating is all about.

You can also try a group dating. Invite one or two of your friends and have your date do the same. You can then go to a number of places such as an amusement park or a shopping mall. Your friends will then carefully monitor the situation so that you are sure to be safe. There is always safety in numbers. Remember, if you are not taking your friends, you should tell someone where you are going and when you should be back. Always carry a cell phone to be sure.

When you are feeling more comfortable with a person you can move on to more secluded dates. However remember to keep your guard up at all times until you know the person in real life. Unfortunately, many people have become victims of rape, kidnap, and even murder. There are predators online. Use good common sense when you are meeting someone for the first time so that you are not another statistic to read about. Sorry, but I had to be very direct and blunt concerning this topic.