So you have been using video chat, voice chat and maybe even talked on the phone with one of your online dating prospects for a while. Maybe you are starting to feel like it is about time to meet this person in real life. Face to face, meetings can be especially nerve wracking. Even though you two have been talking for a while online, it still does not mean that you know everything about the other person in question. There is still the possibility that some of the most basic of facts were exaggerated in the name of “love.” With that said, here are some things you can do to ease the transition and turn the online conversations about dating into an actual, real life, dating relationship.
Before you even get to the part of what to expect when meeting for the first time, you need to figure out where you are going to meet for the first time. That can be quite a challenge. For starters, you certainly do not want to meet at either party’s house. This being because that would be a little too personal for a first meet. Going to someone’s house for a date is usually something you would do on say the fourth or fifth date.
Staying Safe
Usually the best place to meet someone for the fist time is in a well-populated place. This is because even though you have been talking to this person online, you still do not really know them. You have no idea if they are a mass murderer or not. Granted, chances are that they are not, but do you really want to take that chance? Some recommendations for a first time meeting place would be a coffee shop, or a café. On the other hand, maybe you could go to the Borders Book Store and Café in your local mall. It is a nice quiet place to meet, while being just populated enough to feel safe.
While on the topic of being safe, it is also a good ideal to tell at least one other person where you are going to be, when you are going to be there and when you are to be expected back. There have been many times where someone will go on a date with a person from online and disappeared. That someone had never told anyone else who they were going to be with or where they were going to be, just in case. You always want to keep your own personal safety in mine when dating, wither online or in person. Otherwise, what is supposed to be a good time could turn into a nightmare. This is why it is also a great idea to take your own car to where ever you are going to meet your date. You don’t want to get roped into getting picked up as there is always a remote chance that they might not bring you back home as expected. It would also leave open the possibility that if things do not work out, the other party will know where you live and if, God forbid, they turn out to be a sociopath they could come back one day and harass you. Always drive your own car, take the bus or train to get there. Or you could have a fried take you to your meeting place. If there is ever any doubt of your safety just simply, do not go, as it is more important that you stay safe then worrying about whether or not you offended someone on the first date. You simply must think about your priorities and safety should be number one.
The First Real Date
So this is it, it is the first “real date.” You have finally decided where and when you are going to meet, and are about to take the plunge into real life in person dating. The first thing you need to ask yourself is, “Have I bent any truths? Have I not been completely honest with the other person?” Once you have your answer, analyze it. Then, if your answer is yes, be prepared to do a little confessing when you do meet. If you did fib, even just the slightest bit, the way you are to handle it depends on how big it was. For example, if it was about your hair color, then you just tell them you recently dyed your hair. The little things are easy to fix.
Now on the other hand, if the exaggeration was a little more involved or serious in nature, that will be a little different to handle. There are going to be two things you need to do. First, you will need to figure out why you exaggerated to such a point in the first place. Maybe you were scared that the other person would not accept you the way you are. Maybe you have done something that you are not proud of doing in the past. Either way, you are going to need to do the second thing. The second thing being, fess up and tell the truth. Obviously, if your relationship starts out with lies, how can you expect it to continue? On that note, if you are looking for a serious relationship, don’t you think a person should be happy with you for the way you are? A person should not have to lie or bend the truth to get someone else to like them better. If the person does not like you knowing who and what you are, you should not be with them in the first place. However, that is an article for another day. The point being that you are to tell the truth, no matter what you do or what happens. It was never meant to be in the first place if they do not accept you for the way you are, so move on.
Now that you are starting to make the transition from online dating to face to face in person dating, things can start to get a little interesting. The thing to keep in mind though is to make things as comfortable for you as you possibly can. Most of all remember that the main goal is to have fun while staying safe. Take things slow and follow these guidelines, and you should have no problems transitioning your budding relationship.
