You are about to embark on a first date, perhaps with someone you\u2019ve met online dating,\u00a0 from a recent speed dating event or perhaps through a friend. Whichever one it is, and no matter how much messaging or emailing you have gone through in the lead up, don\u2019t be fooled into thinking you know that person just yet. Dating should be fun, but it should also be safe. So, with everything else to think about when it comes to a first date \u2013 be interesting, have good chat, look your best – mixed with a small dose of excitement and nerves, don\u2019t forget these key pointers. It should always be safety first, so follow these top 10 tips for a safe first date.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a great idea to have a phone call with your date before you meet up. You may have had great email and text banter,\u00a0 but that\u2019s nothing like conversing in real life. If you can\u2019t hold a normal conversation over the phone, how are you going to sit through a date? A phone call should re-enforce your desire to meet up, and put you more at ease in the lead up to the date. Always trust your instinct \u2013 if something doesn\u2019t feel right, don\u2019t be afraid to pull the emergency rip cord.<\/p>\n We\u2019re not talking about your real age, most embarrassing moment or too much flesh. We’re talking about those all-important personal details like your home address, work address, local gym and your favourite hangouts. \u00a0Anywhere you might not want to bump into your date should you not want to see them again.<\/p>\n Yes, you might need a few to ease those first date jitters, and help the conversation flow, but there\u2019s nothing positive about getting drunk on your first date. Not only does it carry the obvious safety risks, it can also mean you act and talk differently than you would when sober. Don\u2019t assume it\u2019s OK because you\u2019re drinking the same as your date. \u00a0Stumbling to the loo or going on about your ex one too many times might not impress everybody. Keep a close eye on how much your drinking and slow down by having a water on the go too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a job interview, but you still want to impress, so go over old emails or texts to make sure you remember what you already know about your date. It’s also a good idea to check their facts stack up in real life. \u00a0Have a Google and do some social network research. It\u2019s a good way to make sure your date has been telling you the truth, and is who they say they are.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an obvious one, and a golden rule for that first date. Always meet in a public place, but also a busy one, and preferably somewhere you know, making you feel more at ease and confident. Make sure there will be plenty of people around both at the start and towards the end of your date. This can help ensure all formalities are in full check throughout the duration of your date.<\/p>\n Always let someone know where you\u2019re going. It can be a work colleague, house mate, best friend or your mum. Ideally tell them who you are going with, or give them as much information about your date as you can. \u00a0Let them know how your date is going (a loo stop is a great opportunity for this) and most importantly, when you\u2019re home safe, so they don\u2019t need to send out a search party.<\/p>\n Your instinct is rarely wrong so don\u2019t ignore it. If you feel something isn\u2019t right, it probably isn\u2019t. Don\u2019t feel you should be trusting or put up with a situation you\u2019re not comfortable with. If you feel the need to get cut the date short, then do and leave. It\u2019s a good idea to have a get-out plan arranged should you need to pull the rip cord and parachute to safety. Arrange for a friend or friends to meet you at your set location an hour into your date. Or get someone to call you to give you an excuse to leave the table should you need to.<\/p>\n Ignoring the debates about first date etiquette, it\u2019s best to split the bill equally on your first date. That way nobody feels like they are owed something else because they paid for the night so far. Always keep emergency cash available for a taxi home for that fail-safe journey home, no matter how sure you are that you\u2019ll get that last train or bus.<\/p>\n Always keep your phone, wallet, bag and any other valuable possessions with you at all times. Pick pockets can strike at the most inconvenient times, and you don\u2019t want to be stranded without your phone, wallet or train pass on your first date.<\/p>\n Also, keep an eye on your drink at all times. If you\u2019re going to the toilet, take it with you or finish it before you go, and watch all your drinks being made or poured. If you\u2019re worried, order something else, spill it over or say you don\u2019t like it. Whatever you do, don\u2019t drink it, and leave as soon as you can.<\/p>\n This applies to both getting there and getting home. No matter how well your date has gone, don\u2019t be persuaded into a lift home, to the station or elsewhere. It\u2019s just not worth it. Make sure you choose a location where you can easily get transport from, make sure you know the times of your train or bus home, or have a reliable and trusted taxi number to use.<\/p>\n With these top 10 safety tips for a first date in place, go and enjoy a good old flirt!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You are about to embark on a first date, perhaps with someone you\u2019ve met online dating,\u00a0 from a recent speed dating event or perhaps through a friend. Whichever one it is, and no matter how much messaging or emailing you have gone through in the lead up, don\u2019t be fooled into thinking you know that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":104,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[629,5,636,633],"tags":[653,718,652,719,721,720,717],"class_list":["post-94","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-dating-tips","category-first-dates-advice","category-first-dates","tag-first-date-advice","tag-first-date-safety","tag-first-date-tips","tag-how-to-date-safely","tag-safe-first-date","tag-stay-safe-dating","tag-top-10-tips-for-a-safe-first-date","country-australia","country-ireland","country-uk"],"yoast_head":"\r\nTop 10 Tips for a Safe First Date<\/h2>\n
1) Have a Pre-Date Call<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2) Don\u2019t Reveal Too Much<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3) Don\u2019t Get Drunk<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4) Do your Homework<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5) Meet in a Busy Place<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6) Tell a Friend<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7) Trust your Instinct And Have An Exit Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8) Bring Extra Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9) Keep Your Things With You<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10) Sort Out Your Transport<\/strong><\/h3>\n