How do you meet people in public??
You meet people in public everyday, at the grocery store, gas
station, club, restaurant, etc. Obviously, you're
not meeting all of these people for dating but what if you
were? How would you react? Do you have a back up plan, a safety
net, do you give them your phone # or address if you're
interested in them? Do you talk for a while? Do you follow
your instincts? Meeting people from the internet is really
not that much different if you use your common scence and
a little intuition. There are basic "rules"
to meeting anyone. Get to know them. Talk, chat communicate,
let's face it, you can be taken by a dishonest person
on or off the net. Dishonesty is a character trait, flaw,
call it what you want but it's not because of the internet.
A blind date or someone you meet in the bar can be a creep as
easy as a person from the net. Actually, meeting someone
from the internet that you have chatted, corresponded
with for quite a while, you will find that you actually know
more about them than most people you would meet out in public
for the first time.
If a person gives you the creeps or a bad "gut"
feeling from the net, you have a lot more options and safety
than meeting someone in public. You don't have to meet
this person and they don't really know you're
identity other than what you have shared. Yes, safety is
an issue and should not be taken lighty when meeting people
from the net. The basics, meet in public, take a cell phone
or have a back up plan if you are leary of actually meeting,
exchange photos before meeting, if they say they can't
get photos they are more than likely lying and for your safety
don't meet them. There are far too many ways to get a
photo on the net, any walmart, copy shop, or drug store
with a photo processing lab will email photos. Not to mention
the fact that a webcam or camera can be bought for 20 bucks
or less if you look around. This way you have a pretty good
idea of who you are meeting. You can also foward the photo
to a friend prior to meeting with any info that may be needed
in case the worst would happen.
If you are comfortable with giving out your phone # then
talk to the person prior to meeting. Communication is key;
if you're not just meeting this person for the first
time in a chatroom at 5, and then meeting them in person at
6, then you will get a pretty good feel for who they really
are.
I want to encourage people to not be affraid of meeting people
from the internet. Let's destroy the stigma that only
the "freaks" date on the internet. It's
simply not true and to be quite honest it is actually safer
than meeting people in public! So, go on! Post, email, and
chat away. Search the world that's out there at your
fingertips and don't be affraid to meet new peole and
go after your dreams!!
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