So, you have met someone online on Tinder, Bumble, or POF, and they sound like your perfect match.
The spark was there from the very beginning, you have strikingly similar hobbies and every moment spent talking to them revs up those pesky butterflies in your stomach.
You want to meet them as soon as possible but are afraid to scare them away.
So how long should you wait?
On one hand, you don’t want to come across as too desperate but at the same time, you also don’t want them to lose interest or meet someone else.
That‘s why for most people waiting 4 days is usually the sweet spot.
This gives you enough time to build up a little bit of rapport, without appearing too eager.
If you think you need more time to get to know your match, waiting a week or two is perfectly fine as well especially if you are looking for a serious relationship.
However, anything beyond that can make you look disinterested or even sketchy.
At the end of the day, use your best judgment and go with your gut feeling.
Don‘t wait too long to meet up but also don‘t jump into things without getting to know them first.
A little bit of patience can go a long way!
Now let‘s take a look at some tips to make sure your first date goes smoothly.
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Get to Know Your Match Before Meeting in Person
How well do you know your match?
Did you have a video call with them to confirm that they are who they say they are?
If not, you should probably wait a little longer before meeting up with them in person.
The internet can be a weird place and there have been way too many cases of people being catfished on free dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, POF, and Hinge.
Be especially careful if your match refuses to talk on the phone with you because it might be a sign that they are hiding something.
Spend some time getting to know them so you have at least some background info about them before meeting them in person.
It is also a good idea to check their other social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok to further confirm that they are a real person and not someone who is trying to take advantage of you.
While it may be tempting to meet up as soon as possible, it‘s best to get to know your match a little better before going on a first date.
This way you can avoid any potential awkwardness or disappointment if they turn out to not be who you thought they were.
It will also help you to avoid people who are only interested in getting laid because they will often want to meet up ASAP, without getting to know you first.
Don’t miss: 13 Ways to Tell If Someone is Real or Not on a Dating Site
What to Do If They Want to Meet Up Right Away?
As we already discussed for different people it takes a different amount of time to feel comfortable with someone they met online.
So, if your match suggests meeting up sooner than you‘re ready – don‘t freak out or assume that they are players.
It could just be that they are really excited to meet you and can‘t wait any longer.
If they are insistent on meeting right away, but you don’t feel comfortable yet there are a few things you can do:
- You can tell them that you are busy with school or work and can only meet up in a week or two.
- You can be honest and tell them that you want to spend more time getting to know each other before meeting in person.
- You can suggest doing a quick video call date first.
Don’t miss: Why Do Guys on Dating Apps Want to Meet up So Soon?
How to Be Safe When Meeting Someone You Met Online in Person?
No matter how well you think you know your match, it is important to remember that safety should always come first.
While there are many great people you can meet online, there are also some who are not so genuine.
This is why it is important to take precautions when meeting someone you met online in person for the first time.
Here are a few tips on how to stay safe when meeting someone you met online:
1. Meet in a public place
This will help ensure that both of you feel comfortable and safe during the meeting.
It also allows for an easy exit if either one of you feels uncomfortable at any point during the meetup.
2. Tell a friend or family member about your date
This way, someone knows your whereabouts in case something were to happen while you‘re gone.
You may even want to send them a picture of the person you‘re meeting so they can easily identify them if needed.
3. Trust your gut
If something doesn‘t feel right about the person or situation, trust your instincts and walk away from it.
There‘s no shame in being cautious and taking care of yourself.
After all, this is someone that you don‘t know and have only met online – there‘s no need to put yourself in a compromising or dangerous situation.
4. Don’t share all your private info
Don‘t give out too much personal information to someone you are meeting for the first time.
This includes things like your home address or any financial info.
Once you get to know someone better, then you can start sharing more personal details with them.
5. Keep an eye on your drink
It‘s important to always keep an eye on your drink when you‘re out in public, especially if you‘re meeting someone for the first time.
This will help ensure that no one slips anything into your drink that can make you drunk, sleepy, or even pass out.
6. Don‘t go home with them
Even though it might be tempting especially if your date went well, going home with someone you barely know can be a safety risk and can put you in a very vulnerable position.
If you‘re planning on going home with someone, make sure it‘s someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
7. Don’t drink too much
Not only getting drunk can make you look bad in front of your date but it can also impair your judgment and put you in a more vulnerable state.
8. Have an excuse ready
In case things start feeling off or unsafe, having an excuse ready (like needing to get up early for work) can help give you a quick way out.
Another option is to ask one of your friends to give you a call during the date as a “check–in” in case you need a reason to leave.
Read next: How to Say You are Looking for Something Serious?
