|
 |
| DATING SAFETY RULES |
 |
Caution is the keyword here. It doesn't
matter how or where you've met someone -- whether it was through the personals,
online, at a bar, or even though friends -- don't rush into too much intimacy
too fast. Don't be too quick to give your phone number, address, deeply
personal information -- or your body -- to a virtual stranger. Some of
life's dangers are beyond your control, but you can protect yourself against
others.
"Get to know someone on the phone before planning to meet up with them,"
says Cavlo. "Take your time and get to know their sense of humor, their
interests, and hear about their lives, so you have a better idea of who
you are meeting -- or if you really want to meet them."
Use common sense when you plan to meet face-to-face with someone new.
Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:
Never invite strangers to your home until they are no longer strangers.
This means you don't give your address to anyone until you feel reasonably
sure he/she won't hurt you when you are alone with him/her, or try to
break into your home to carry off your precious possessions when you're
away.
Meet in a public spot, preferably during the day. Coffee is quick,
and if things are going well, you can always extend it into a meal.
But if you arrange to meet for dinner and a movie, your evening may
seem like an eternity if things are going badly.
Use your own transportation. After you've met the person, if you have
any doubts at all about him or her, don't allow yourself to be driven
to dinner or to the theater. Take your own car. If you have strong doubts,
don't go.
If you don't have a car, make sure you have some cash and a credit
card so you can get home.
Carry change for a telephone or bring a cellular phone.
Leave a trail. If you're going out with someone for the first time,
let a friend or family member know where you're going, when you'll be
back, and who you're with. Tell them you're going out with someone you
don't know very well and give them your date's name, phone number, and
any information that you may have about the person.
Be on the lookout for inconsistency. "Does the
information you're received during your date agree with the facts you
got over the phone, through e-mail, etc.?" says Minsky. "If the person
is still very secretive about where they work or live even after several
conversations, this can be a sign that there may be a hidden agenda
that isn't in your best interests."
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}
