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Caution Date Safe
By: Britney Holloway
It is indeed surprising that when polled almost 35% people could
recount at least one incident when they went on a date to a lonely
place in a vehicle that was not their own with a person they were
dating for the first time. Most are plain lucky to have got out of
those situations unscathed, what with incidents of robbery, stalking
and date rape increasingly hitting the headlines. When danger is ever
present why dont people play safe? Marion Keyes, who runs a security
agency says that it boils down to psychology. In our minds we dont
equate caution with fun and dating is supposed to be fun. In a bid to
enjoy ourselves we often take risks and do things we would not
normally do. As a result we expose ourselves to danger.
While dating is about having fun, it is extremely important to stay
safe while dating. Safety, however does not have to be a spoiler. You
dont have to arm yourself with a gun or be accompanied by an army of
bodyguards, nor do you have to necessarily get a private detective to
screen every prospective date. Just follow the precaution list our
set of experts has come up with and you will be ready to swing around
the town without landing into situations that could get you robbed,
maimed or killed!
Tell Someone
This is the most important rule, and yet the one that most people
ignore because they are too embarrassed to tell someone to look out
for them says Sharon Marlow who runs a dating agency. If you are going
out on a date make sure someone knows your itinerary and calls you at
your home or your office (not on your hand phone), at the time you are
scheduled to be back, to ensure you got back safe. This includes dates
set up through friends and people you met at a party earlier, and not
only dates set up online. Strictly speaking the level of risk is the
same and just because you said hi to a bloke/ babe at a party does not
mean you know him/her.
Drive your own vehicle
Arrive in your own vehicle. This is important for two reasons.
Firstly, it helps you to not give out your address to someone you
dont know. Secondly, it ensures you wont be driven off to a lonely
corner of town and ambushed. If that is unmanageable ask a friend to
drop in and pick you up. Seeing that you have people around you whom
you can trust often fends of people who may not have the best
intentions.
Set a start and an end time
It is imperative that you have a set start and end time for the date.
If you dont like the person it will be a relief to walk away without
spending interminable hours with them. If you like the person it will
keep you from looking desperate and ignite greater interest from your
date. From the safety perspective it will keep you to a known schedule
and will enable a friend to track you easily.
Meet for lunch at a public place
Never agree to meet anyone at their house for the first few dates.
Meet at a public place. Also try to meet for lunch as it is much safer
than the dinner alternative and much quicker too. A short meeting for
coffee is equally good.
Watch what you eat and drink
It is important be alert to what you are eating and drinking
especially if your date is serving you. Do not drink alcohol and do
not leave the table with your drink still filled. If you have to go to
the washroom, ask for a fresh drink when you return. Unfinished drinks
are the easiest to pour drugs into. Remember that paranoia may be what
keeps you from becoming unconscious and being mugged in the process.
Watch out for Red flags
If you listen carefully red flags are easy to spot. If there are
inconsistencies in what the person told you online or on the phone and
what they are saying now dont take time to be nice. Just make an
excuse and leave.
You are in control
If you feel uncomfortable remind yourself that you are the one in
control. At no point should anyone be able to pressure you into doing
something you dont want to do. Safety is not as much about logic as
it is about comfort. If you think you are uncomfortable but cant
pinpoint the reason, your sixth sense may be trying to tell you
something. Listen to that voice in your head telling you to scoot. It
will rarely lead you down the wrong path!
Follow these precautions for the first few dates with anyone and
youll never land up in a sticky situation!
About the author: Britney Holloway writes for
http://www.SinglesDating247.com – If you are single and looking for
love then this is the site for you. Articles, Reviews and Links to the
best sites on the Internet and the DrDating Forum http://forum.drdating.com
a forum for people looking for help in love, relationships and
dating.
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