We’ve all been there – hoping that nothing would happen to us, but still having that weird feeling when it comes to our personal safety before going out with a person we met online. And yes, this situation is definitely a tough pill to swallow, especially knowing the fact that there are different types of people and you never know their intentions.

So, how do you make sure that your online date is good in reality – aside from the screen?

Today, we are listing the best tips for your first date with a person you have met online – showing you how to stay safe on a first date no matter what happens.

1. Meet In A Public Space

Your first date should definitely take place in a public space, being surrounded by other people. That way, you can eliminate any risk and have the reassurance that people will be around you, no matter what happens.

Restaurants and coffee shops are a great idea for this, providing enough witnesses if anything goes crazy. And remember, never meet a man at his home or even think of inviting them into yours. It’s just not ‘right’ for your safety and the sake of your first date.

2. Tell A Friend

You can prevent a lot of things from happening if you just tell a friend or family member about your date, who are you meeting and where. You can even give them the contact details of the person you are meeting and all the information you know about them. No – it’s not creepy, because bad first dates happen on a regular basis.

You can even use your friend as an escape clause if you don’t feel the entire date situation as right to you. How?

Well, why don’t you ‘accidentally bump’ into your friend, or pretend they have an emergency?

There are many possibilities.

3. Talk On The Phone First

No matter how shy you are and praise the chat room as your comfort zone, when first dates happen – you have to pick up the phone and call. After all, there is nothing like hearing a guy’s voice and engaging to some banter in order to feel him out, right?

A simple phone call can give you the reassurance you need about your first date and lets you make sense of who they are before meeting them in person.

4. Drive Yourself To And From Your Date Location

Never accept a free ride on the first date, no matter how sweet or charming the guy (you don’t know) is. After all, there is a lot of things that can happen with you entering someone else’s car – and you always have to stay alert, no matter what.

So, make sure to drive yourself to and from your date location, whether with your own car or a taxi. You can only consider joyrides after the second date. Plus, you will gain more confidence and make your date even more interested in you if you say no to a free ride.

5. Stay Sober

This is probably the most important rule you should  apply to your tete-a-tete endeavors. Alcohol is not your friend when it comes to a first date with a person you only know on Tinder or Facebook. There are a lot of women who have said yes to coming home after a few drinks and whose personal safety has been compromised just because of alcohol.

So, don’t say yes to more glasses of wine (or vodka) and you will never settle for saying “Why did I do that?” in the morning. It’s as simple as that!

A Final Word

Once you practice what we preached in this post, you will be at utmost safety when it comes to your online first dates. So, are you ready to put them to practice?

In the end, all it matters is getting to know the person you are meeting during the date. First dates are for that – and nothing more. After all, dating is all about meeting new people and expanding your world while working on your social skills, right?

It is up to you to make sure it stays that way.