Protecting Yourself When Dating
By Marlene Gundlach | July 13, 2008
Dating, in and of itself, can be stressful and lead to a lot of worries for women. Will you like the guy? Is he the one? Keeping that in mind, women also need to focus on keeping themselves safe when dating — particularly if you have just begun dating someone you hardly know. Always have your first few dates in a public forum, such as a restaurant, well-lit park, or jam-packed movie theater, until you are completely comfortable with the person.
Presenting Yourself
How you present yourself on a date can send signals that you may not intentionally want to send. If you dress too provocatively or come across as “too flirtatious” on a date, you might be sending a message that you want things to move rather quickly. This isn’t to say that a man might think you are “easy” just because you choose to wear a short skirt! However, you have to be cautious when dating someone you do not know very well. The ways you choose to dress, as well as your body language, say a lot of unspoken things to your date. And unfortunately, the messages can become cloudy and mixed if you are not careful.
Alcohol
When on a first date, it’s best to exclude alcoholic beverages. Men and women should “keep their wits” while dating, as some people tend to lose their inhibitions with alcohol consumption. If you do decide to drink, limit it to one glass. Also, it is critical to keep an eye on your drink. In this day and age, it is easy to access date rape drugs tha can be dropped into unattended drinks. Drugs such as GHP, rohypnol, and ketamine are all used to lower your inhibitions, or, worst case scenario, completely knock you out! There will come a time when you can go out with this person and have a few drinks; however, to start, it isn’t the best choice to put yourself in a compromising position with someone you hardly know. Be alert and be smart.
Personal Ads
Online dating sites are a popular, more comfortable alternative to the “bar scene.” When responding to Internet and newspaper personal ads, be careful not to share too much personal information. Providing your location and last name is all someone needs to track you down. Don’t give out this information until you have exchanged correspondence for some time. Even when setting up a first date, an individual doesn’t need your address. Choose to meet them in public and drive yourself. This way, they do not need to be at your home and you have your own ride home should things not go smoothly. Click for more tips on dating safety.
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