1. Arrange to meet him.
When meeting for the first time, never allow your
date to pick you up from your home. In fact,
your date shouldn't even know your home address
yet!
2. Meet in public
places.
For a first meeting, always
meet in a public place where other people are in
close proximity. You may also want to consider going
out with a group of people, or a double date.
3. Go dutch by paying half of the bill.
It's always respectful for the man to offer to pay
the bill. Unfortunately, some men ruin the gesture
by expecting something in return. Therefore it
may not be a bad idea for you to go dutch. Pay
half the bill so that you won't feel under any
obligation to "return" the favor.
4.
Remember that alcohol affects your judgment.
The biggest threat to a person's judgment,
when on a date, is alcohol. Not only does it affect
your judgment, but alcohol also lessens your inhibitions.
If you are drinking, keep your drink in sight at all
times and don’t
get so drunk that you don’t know what you
are doing. Better yet, try to avoid alcohol on
your first date.
5.
Use your own mode of transportation.
Provide your own transportation to your public meeting
place and make sure you have more than enough gas.
6.
Don't assume that a man is safe.
It's important never to let your guard down when
on a first date. Never assume a man is safe just
because he claims to be religious or a gentleman.
7.
Don’t let
him know where you live.
If you want to see him
again, arrange a second date and then
take it from there.
8.
Avoid secluded areas.
Remember - stay in a public place for your first
date and avoid secluded areas such as
parks.
9. Listen to your gut.
If
something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
And if you haven’t
met him before, and you know at the beginning of the
date that
something doesn’t feel right, then leave immediately.
10.
Always let someone else know where you're going. Be
sure someone knows where you are going and who you'll
be with. You might even consider
arranging a time to call and check in. Or you could
arrange to meet up with friends later that night.
11.
Give him your cell phone number.
It's safer to give out a cell phone number
instead of your home phone number (click
here for why).
12. Always remain alert.
Even
if you’re having
a blast and the chemistry is great, it’s a
good idea to remain alert the whole evening. Make
sure you
have a cell phone on you.