Dating and Self Defense

Dating in today’s world is a pretty risky business. However, some of those risks can be minimized with a little advance planning.

Potential dates often show up in a larger group of contacts such as a professional association or special interest organization. Perhaps you meet through friends or business contacts. All are good places to start.

When you move into actual dating, consider taking a few of these precautions.

• Arrange to have the first few dates in public places.

• Arrange to meet him or her at the agreed-upon place.

By meeting you avoid exposing your home address until you know the person better.

By taking your own transportation you are not dependent on your date and you can leave if you need to.

• Only give your cell phone number.

• Tell one or more of your friends who you are going with, where you met the person, and where you plan to go, as well as contact numbers for both of you.

• Tell someone when you expect to return and who to call in case you don’t turn up by an agreed-upon time.

• Consider lunch for first contacts. These are time-limited occasions. If you can’t stand him or her for the duration of a lunch date you know not to consider any further contact. Also, if you are going Dutch treat, lunch costs less than dinner.

• Consider a group kind of activity for the first or other early dates. Think in terms of safety in numbers.