Safety Tips for First Dates in the Modern World
Safety Tips for First Dates in the Modern World
There are plenty of stereotypes surrounding first dates when you don’t know the person you’re meeting. In movies, blind dates often lead to everlasting love. In real life, it’s easy to talk about how awkward they can be.
But what we often don’t talk enough about are the safety risks that can sometimes come with meeting up with someone you don’t know.
According to Psychological Science, it can take only 1/10th of a second to develop a first impression of someone. But that doesn’t always mean you’ll know all of their motives. Most dates (and people) are perfectly safe, and this isn’t meant to scare anyone. But it’s very important to have the right safety solutions in place when you go on a first date in order to keep yourself protected — just in case.
Let’s look at a few simple safety tips that can make a big difference. These are the safety tips for first dates in the modern world.
Get a Ride
It might sound romantic for your date to pick you up at home, but until you get to know them, that might not be a good idea. Instead, get a ride from a friend, take public transportation, or order an Uber.
Even if you do decide on a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft, it’s still important to be safe. Make sure you do the following when your ride arrives:
- Confirm the driver
- Confirm the vehicle
- Check the driver’s rating
- Wait for your ride in a public, well-lit place with other people around
- Ask the driver what your name is
Getting a ride to and from your date will help to keep you in control and reduce the risk of anything happening that would leave you alone with your date in an unfamiliar car or location.
Have a Plan in Place
You’ve probably seen the old trope about having a friend call you in the middle of a date to give you an “escape route.” While you don’t need to go to extremes, you should have people in your circle who know about your date, including where it is, who you’ll be with, and when you expect to be home.
No one wants to think about the negative or even scary possibilities of what could happen on a first date. Unfortunately, it happens, especially with online dating. A UK report from 2016 discovered that reports of rape linked to online dating rose by 450% over the previous five years.
Carrying something to protect yourself is your right. There are plenty of personal self-defence weapons:
- A tactical pen
- A tactical flashlight
- Keychain
- Knife
- Pepper spray
- Stun gun
If the worst does occur, getting checked out by a forensic nurse right away is imperative. Sexual assault of any kind is a crime. A nurse can examine you, ask questions, get you the support you need, and even take legal action, if necessary.
Find Connections in Your Community
Blind dates are likely here to stay. If you do decide to try online dating, make sure to keep some safety tips in mind. Don’t automatically believe everything someone says on a dating profile. Don’t give out personal information. Take your time and get to know the person before you go out with them.
If possible, try to make connections the “old-fashioned way,” through mutual friends in your community, or by meeting someone with shared interests, hobbies, passions, or even personal beliefs! These “meet cute” situations happen every day, and if you have mutual friends, you can feel a bit more comfortable when you’re able to gain some more knowledge and insight into the person you’ll be dating.
First dates are exciting, and getting those “butterflies” can be fun. You might even find “the one”! But, make sure to keep these tips in mind so you can stay safe every step of the way.
Featured image: Unsplash
