As life seems to be heading back to more in-person dating and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, it is essential to keep yourself safe when going on dates. Dating apps can be fun and let you meet more people easily than you would meet in person. However, a level of anonymity can make apps an easy way for someone to be a sketchy person. You should always have multiple ways to keep safe while having fun.
Double Date
As a high schooler, my mom always told me double dates are a safe way to keep safe and not make anything too serious. At the moment, I would roll my eyes, thinking it was just because she did not want me to go on dates. However, a double date is a great way to safely get to know someone. There are many ways you can do this: with a current friend couple, or with a friend who is on a first-time date too. This is a good way to have an easy out if you aren’t having fun, and it will make for a funny story later on, or you could both end up having a great time. Double dating allows you to have fun without being too serious and going into deep conversations on a first date.
Be in Public
It may seem self-explanatory; however, having a first date in a public space is a great way to keep yourself safe while also seeing how your date interacts with other people. Are they weird about you wanting to meet in public? Let’s not date them. Are they mean to waiters or strangers? Definitely no. Never feel bad about telling the staff at a restaurant if you are uncomfortable and need to leave. Being in public allows you to be safe and see if this is someone you would want in your life.
Inform someone
One of the best ways to make sure that you have a fallback that will keep you safe is making sure a friend or family member is informed about you and your date. Tell your friend your date’s name, where you are going, what time. If you are going to a private place, tell them the address. It can be imperative that your person of choice has a picture of your date. One of the best ways to know if your date may be safe is simply informing them that you are telling a friend. If they are uncomfortable with their name or face being shared with a friend, this should be a bright red flag.
Text a friend
Have a safe word to text or say on a phone call to a friend so that they either come and get you or call you back home. This may seem like the oldest line in the book; however it works and is a simple way to get out of an uncomfortable situation.
Protect yourself
This can look different for every person. However, you may feel comfortable going on a date close to home, may not want to tell your date your address. Maybe pepper spray or carrying an object like an umbrella may make you safer. You can also go on a date next store to a friend’s house or have a friend be in the same restaurant as you. Or even choose a date location near a police station or anywhere you feel safe.
Safe way home
Make sure to plan how you are going to get home. This can change however it is good to know whether you are having a friend pick you up or if you are going to be taking an Uber/Lyft back home. If you feel any discomfort, make sure to go home alone, including your uber ride and not share your home address with your date if you don’t feel safe.
Many people think these may seem over the top, or you would feel embarrassed to tell someone you are on a bad date. However, you would much rather be safe, keep yourself safe, and any reasonable person would understand that. Dating can be fun and exciting, so don’t let any of this worry you.
Words and Graphics by Annika Petersen.