By Dorianne Sager
Dating can be a risky business; the possibility of being rejected can be seriously
damaging to one's ego.
But rejection is an acceptable risk in this game because there is always the
chance that a date will be the first step towards finding true love. There are
however, some unacceptable risks and chances that should never be taken. Here
are our top five tips for staying safe in the world
of online dating.
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Always trust your instincts, if you wouldn't tolerate sleazy come-ons from
someone in a bar, don't accept them over email. Always remain in control of any
situation and never allow anyone to intimidate or threaten you. Remember you
have the power to delete.
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Never reveal where you live, where you work or your phone number until you
completely trust the person and you are ready to take the relationship to the
next level. Under no circumstances should you give out your bank account
details or offer your credit card numbers to help a potential date out, no
matter how desperate the situation sounds. The only people you should ever lend
money to are family, and even then you should be suspicious of their motives.
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If a person refuses to send you a photo, even after prolonged correspondence,
something is up. It could be because the person resembles more of Danny DeVito
then the Brad Pitt they described, or it could be that the only photo they have
is a mug shot. Or, they could be your 12-year old next-door neighbour, do you
really want to take that chance?
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A person's voice can reveal much about their character. If, after a reasonable
amount of correspondence, the other person does not want to talk on the phone
there is a problem. They are most likely hiding something, probably a spouse.
Or, it could mean they can't afford a phone, in which case they probably won't
be able to spring for dinner on your first date.
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When you have decided to meet in person, arrange the date in a public place.
Don't allow the person to pick you up at home and when the date is over, take
separate cabs. If you go to a restaurant or bar, never leave your drink
unattended, and keep your purse or wallet with you at all times. Keep your
mobile on, tell your friends and family where you are going and what time you
are expected to return. If something doesn't feel right to you, you can always
get lost in the crowd and call a friend for a quick rescue.
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