Speed Dating UK Safety Tips

Speed dating is perhaps the safest form of dating in the UK as you get a chance to meet your date in a controlled safe environment run by a third party who have details of participating guests. Even so the following guide is meant to highlight the precautions that everyone, guys and girls included, need to take when meeting soemone for the first time, be it at a speed dating event , online or after a night out.

However as with anything in life, speed dating has the potential to attract the small minority of people in society who seek to abuse the trust of others for their own gain.

Remember the key is to have fun and to stay safe!!

Take It Easy At The Start Of Your Speed Dating Adventure
When you first attend a speed dating event your mind will be racing ten to the dozen and it is easy to let slip personal details about yourself, even in the space of a short speed date. Where you work, where you live, your work email address all of these things should be kept to yourself until you know youdate a little better. Keep the mystery alive and only provide general details about yourself.

The internet is a powerful tool and it is easy to learn huge amounts about someone with only an email address or a place of work. Put your own name into google and see what details are avaialable about yourself or where you work. If someone is a pest or makes you feel uncomfortable simply alert one of the attending event organisers.

Take your time in getting to know someone before you reveal too much. After all is they are genuine and the sort of person you would like to meet they will be sensitive to the fact that you feel more comfortable guarding your personal details until you, and you alone feel that the time is right to share more about yourself. There is no need to disclose your too many details about yourself on the night or during the inital subsequent email conversations following the speed dating event.

Trust your Instincts
This one is simply - If it doesn't feel right, step back and move away. You will know when something is wrong or is simply too good to be true. Back your judgement each and everytime, listen to what your innner voice is telling you and you should have no problems.

Move Along At Your Pace
Rememeber take things at your pace and only move onto the next stage of your budding friendship/relationship as and when you and you alone are ready. Don’t let the other person push you to phone or meet if you’re not ready. If they’re eventually going to make a good partner, they’ll understand and wait. If someone asks for your phone number, politely refuse. If you think you might eventually want to phone them, ask for their number and call when you’re ready. Genuine and honest peoeple will understand why you are being weary, dishonest and false people will have the problem.

Watch Out For Red Flags.
The following points are specific clues that something may be amiss with your new acquintance and as such you should ask yourself if they really are the sort of person that you would comfortable meeting with. Again the list is not complete and only you will know when something is wrong but if it is, listen to your inner voice, trust your instinct and perhaps consider politely discontinuing this particular relationship.

  • Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc.
  • Gets mad when you ask or quickly ends the conversation or answers questions with questions.
  • Refuses to speak to you over the phone after establishing ongoing, online intimacy.
  • Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions.
  • Appears in person to be significantly different from his or her online persona.
  • Never introduces you to friends, professional associates or family members.

Making That First Meeting Following The Speed Date A Safe One
When you make the choice to meet after the speed date, always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with someone that you can trust. Bring your mobile phone with emergency numbers stored in it. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home instead make your own way to the date. Meet in a public place at a time when many people are present, and when the date is over, leave on your own as well. Make sure that you car is nearby or that your route home on public transport is well timetabled and reliable. A familiar restaurant or coffee shop, at a time when a lot of other people will be present is often a fine choice and how about meeting for lunch on a weekend when there will be plenty of people around and you do not have to worry about it getting dark outside. If you’re nervous, double date with friends to take some of the pressure off. Avoid dates that invlove being away from other people like walks in the countryside, bike rides or drives to remote areas for the first few dates at least. If you decide to move to another location, take your own car or grab a taxi. When the timing is appropriate, thank your date for getting together and say goodbye. Bring your car, enough money for cab fare or arrange for a friend to pick you up when you call.

Have A Back-Up Plan
If things are not going well, and sometimes they will not, have a back-up plan. Call some-one you trust and get them to come and collect you or get them to call you so that you have an excuse to leave. If things have gone wrong on the date and you are uncomfortable with your date let someone knwo like the restaurent maanger, the barman, a fellow dinner or even call the police .It's always better to be safe than sorry. Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior. Your safety is much more important than one person's opinion of you. There are lots of online services which give you a safe and secure environment to dating online. While liars, cheaters and imposters certainly play their craft on the Web, you'll also find them in nightclubs, among the membership ranks of off-line dating services, at cocktail parties, and occasionally sitting across from you at your local café. Regardless of where, or how, you meet someone, dating is never a risk-free activity. A little caution will reduce your risk in these matters of the heart.

Drinking
You’ll probably be nervous before a first date. Though a few drinks could help loosen you up, don’t overdo it. You’ll need to have a clear head if things don't go to plan. Never leave your drink unattended or drink anything that has an unusual taste. And being a drunken mess is not a great way to impress a new boyfriend or girlfriend.

Ending the Date
If you don't wish to see your date again, be honest and tell them firmly in a considerate way.

Remember you are in control. It is your responsibility who you contact and who you don't. Don't put yourself at risk and trust your instincts. However, If you continue to receive messages after you say "no" to further contact, you should block that member.

If you are worried about safety and wish to find out more contact your local police station or The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.