How to Arrange the First Meeting in Person

Neutral Meeting Place

Don’t make arrangements that will assist your partner in finding where you live, such as letting them stay nearby with a friend. While not every online relationship has turned out to be a bad experience, plenty of people have been surprised and even shocked upon a face-to-face meeting with someone who misrepresented themselves.

A coffeehouse, restaurant or other similarly high-traffic area is a good place to suggest a meeting. Avoid solitary locations such as wooded parks, a hotel room or other lonely places. Even though you may not have cause to worry, it’s better to be safe than sorry. When arranging a first meeting with an online friend or romantic relationship, your primary concern needs to be for your own safety.

Full Disclosure

Make sure that you tell someone close to you that you are planning to meet your online crush. Most people will probably put up a protest at first simply out of safety concerns; however, if you make yourself accountable to them, this communication may ease their fears. Give them all the information about who, what, when, where and how long. Ask your confidante to be available on the date of your meeting so that you can touch base with them from time to time through a phone call or text message. They may even want to drive by your meeting place to visually check on you, which is a good thing.

Don’t be afraid to tell someone about what you are doing, even if they don’t necessarily agree with it. Their first concern is going to be for your safety. If possible, you may want to share some of the emails and other information you have exchanged with your online partner to see what kind of impression they get from the relationship. Sometimes having an outside perspective can help make things a bit clearer, especially if you are uncertain that meeting offline if a good idea or not.

Make Plans

It may be nice to sit and chat with the person you are meeting offline; however, if they have traveled a long distance to meet you, you may want to take the time to show them around your area. Giving a tour of your town will not only help take some of the pressure off of you by keeping your guest entertained, but also, you will get to see how they behave in some different situations you will encounter. You will get a better idea of their maturity level, their temperament and their worldly experience.

If possible, plan to travel around on public transportation, rather than using your car and still make sure you are accountable to a friend who is watching out for your safety. A walking tour may also be equally as exciting and safe – but be sure you and your partner are wearing sturdy shoes.