and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Ce

Online dating can be great fun, but you never want to rush in without considering your safety. After all, it can mean the difference between whether you live or die if you come up against the wrong person. Even if you don't put your life in danger, some very unpleasant things can happen to you if you don't take certain precautions when you meet someone for the first time.

Follow your gut instincts.

Just because you've met someone online, it doesn't mean you've committed to meeting them offline. Don't ever let someone put pressure on you to meet them until you feel completely comfortable with the idea. If you feel like it's too soon or like you don't know the person well enough yet, you're probably right. Stick to your decision - if the other person is a decent person, they will be willing to wait until you're ready to meet.

Meet in a Public Place

The first meeting isn't the time to be romantic and mysterious. A public place such as a bookstore, cafe, or restaurant is much better. That way, if you want to leave early you can do so gracefully, and there is little chance that your date will try something that will make you uncomfortable with other people around.

Don't Let Your Date Pick You Up

Meet somewhere that you mutually agree on, and arrange to get there yourself, whether by driving yourself or taking a taxi. You don't want your date to pick you up on the first date for a few reasons. First, you shouldn't let them know where you live until you're sure of how you feel about them. Second, it gives too much control of the situation to them - you want to be able to leave whenever you want to on the first few dates.

Keep Your Family and Friends Informed

Don't keep your date a secret! Although you may feel a bit embarrassed at first telling people you are meeting someone through an online service, now is not the time to be shy. What if something happens to you and no one knows where you were going? Tell at least one person, preferably two, that you are meeting someone on a date. Give them his or her name and the information for the online dating service and any other information you have (photo, etc.) - just in case!

Don't Drink Too Much

Alcohol may make you feel more uninhibited, but that's not a good idea on a first date. You could do or say things you'll regret later. Moving slowly is the best way to make a good impression the first few times you get together with a new companion.

Book Your Own Accommodations/Flights

Sometimes online dating involves traveling quite a ways, perhaps across the country. If this is the case for you, make sure you book your own flight and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Cel

know the person well enough yet, you're probably right. Stick to your decision - if the other person is a decent person, they will be willing to wait until you're ready to meet.

Meet in a Public Place

The first meeting isn't the time to be romantic and mysterious. A public place such as a bookstore, cafe, or restaurant is much better. That way, if you want to leave early you can do so gracefully, and there is little chance that your date will try something that will make you uncomfortable with other people around.

Don't Let Your Date Pick You Up

Meet somewhere that you mutually agree on, and arrange to get there yourself, whether by driving yourself or taking a taxi. You don't want your date to pick you up on the first date for a few reasons. First, you shouldn't let them know where you live until you're sure of how you feel about them. Second, it gives too much control of the situation to them - you want to be able to leave whenever you want to on the first few dates.

Keep Your Family and Friends Informed

Don't keep your date a secret! Although you may feel a bit embarrassed at first telling people you are meeting someone through an online service, now is not the time to be shy. What if something happens to you and no one knows where you were going? Tell at least one person, preferably two, that you are meeting someone on a date. Give them his or her name and the information for the online dating service and any other information you have (photo, etc.) - just in case!

Don't Drink Too Much

Alcohol may make you feel more uninhibited, but that's not a good idea on a first date. You could do or say things you'll regret later. Moving slowly is the best way to make a good impression the first few times you get together with a new companion.

Book Your Own Accommodations/Flights

Sometimes online dating involves traveling quite a ways, perhaps across the country. If this is the case for you, make sure you book your own flight and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Ce

yourself or taking a taxi. You don't want your date to pick you up on the first date for a few reasons. First, you shouldn't let them know where you live until you're sure of how you feel about them. Second, it gives too much control of the situation to them - you want to be able to leave whenever you want to on the first few dates.

Keep Your Family and Friends Informed

Don't keep your date a secret! Although you may feel a bit embarrassed at first telling people you are meeting someone through an online service, now is not the time to be shy. What if something happens to you and no one knows where you were going? Tell at least one person, preferably two, that you are meeting someone on a date. Give them his or her name and the information for the online dating service and any other information you have (photo, etc.) - just in case!

Don't Drink Too Much

Alcohol may make you feel more uninhibited, but that's not a good idea on a first date. You could do or say things you'll regret later. Moving slowly is the best way to make a good impression the first few times you get together with a new companion.

Book Your Own Accommodations/Flights

Sometimes online dating involves traveling quite a ways, perhaps across the country. If this is the case for you, make sure you book your own flight and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Ce

bly two, that you are meeting someone on a date. Give them his or her name and the information for the online dating service and any other information you have (photo, etc.) - just in case!

Don't Drink Too Much

Alcohol may make you feel more uninhibited, but that's not a good idea on a first date. You could do or say things you'll regret later. Moving slowly is the best way to make a good impression the first few times you get together with a new companion.

Book Your Own Accommodations/Flights

Sometimes online dating involves traveling quite a ways, perhaps across the country. If this is the case for you, make sure you book your own flight and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Ce

and hotel reservations. You don't want to end up without a room because of a "slip up" on your date's part. Meet somewhere else - not at your hotel!

Trust Your Judgment

Pay attention to the signals. If you tune in to what your stomach and your heart are telling you, you'll probably get a pretty good idea of the person. If something seems just a bit "off" about the person you're with or they are making you uncomfortable even though you can't put your finger on the reason why, walk away. Studies have shown that instinct is seldom wrong. It's better to play it safe than end up in a terrible situation later on in the evening.

Always Have Your Cell Phone ON

Keep your phone with you and don't be afraid to call someone if you feel uncomfortable or pressured. You can also call from a restroom or hallway if you suddenly feel the need to escape.