Self dating tips!

• Always trust your instinct -- after all, it's gotten you this far in life already
• Take your time and look at lots of different profiles to get a feel for what kind of person you want
• Never publish your phone number or email address
• Don't take anything at face value -- it's easy to lie online, and many people do
• Ask lots of questions when chatting with your potential mates
• Make sure you feel comfortable with whoever you are chatting with, at all times
• If someone is abusive or rude, block them immediately
• Don't give your home or work address to anyone you have not met in person
• Before agreeing to a date, make sure you know as much about the other person as possible
• Don't allow yourself to be talked into anything -- you're the one in charge
• Take your time to get to know someone -- don't be rushed
• A patient person will be happy to wait until you are ready to meet
• Make sure anyone you're talking to is willing to provide photos and information about himself or herself
• Ask your date to leave a message on your voicemail beforehand, if possible
• Chat on the phone for a while before arranging a date
• Always meet in a well-lit public place
• Always tell a good friend where you are going and who you're meeting
• If possible, step away and call a friend during the date to confirm that everything is ok
• Always carry a cell phone on a date
• Schedule lunch dates -- they're convenient and they have a time limit
• Always make your own travel arrangements to/from a first date
• Do not accept a ride home on the first date or reveal your address
• If you're traveling far, always make and confirm your own hotel arrangements
• Make sure you have as much information about your date as possible
• Keep your first date to a specified time limit so you always have an "exit" point
• Never feel like you owe it to someone to meet them - you don't!