When I began meeting men in person I was very concerned about my safety. I set the following rules for myself …

I always verified their name and employment ??“ without them knowing. During the phone conversation I would be sure to get their first and last name and where they worked. Then I would look up their work either online or in my local phone book. I would phone up and say ???May I please speak to so and so.???

I always got their phone number and called them at least once. That way I knew that whoever had that phone number somehow knew whom I talked to.

I always met them at a public place for breakfast. Usually at a Denny??™s restaurant that was a block away from my best friend..

I left the following information with my friend:

• Name of person I was meeting
• The home number I had
• Their place of employment
• What kind of car they had (I asked for this info before meeting so I could be on the look out for a blue Honda or whatever.)
• What time we were meeting. If I didn??™t call my friend within 1 hour of meeting time she was instructed to call the police.

Naturally you can always do a background check on them. And with the information you slyly gather they never have to know.

I was never in a hurry to meet anyone. You can really get to know a lot about someone through emails and phone calls. Ask them the same questions at different times and different ways.

Let’s say they told you they are a machinist at xyz company ??“ on one of your next conversation you might say ???So how long have you worked at ZYX???? to see if they correct you. Or ask them what they like about being a machinist etc.

I was amazed by some of the emails I received while I was a member of Matchmaker. At the time I was a single Mom of 2 teen-agers and making $9. /hour as a receptionist (and I smoked). I received an email from a supposedly high paid top notch attorney who detested smoking, saying how much we had in common. This sent up red flags so I just replied that I was not interested.

Be safe out there ??“ Hey guys this means for you too. I don??™t know what the statistics are, but men can be at risk too. My husband is 6??™3??? and weighs 300 pounds ??“ yet he also practiced safety rules. He said you never knew if a woman might be working with some one who could sneak up behind him, knock him over the head and rob him.

Listen to your gut feeling. If something doesn??™t feel quite right, it probably isn??™t. Have your own set of rules before meeting in person for the first time ??“ STAY SAFE!!!

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Cindy H. is a writer and the webmistress at HonestDietReviews where she shares the story of the couple??™s struggle with weight loss and how they are winning the battle.

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Original: Cindy??™s Tips for Dating Safety

Filed under: Other Advices