Met Online? Tips for that First Meeting

1. Before you meet someone, it’s essential that you let a friend
or family member know where you’re going and who you’re meeting.
You’ll feel better and they’ll feel better knowing you’re being
cautious.

2. Meet in a public place. There’s safety in numbers.

3. Keep the first meeting brief. As everyone knows, chemistry is
fickle. You may know right off the bat that you don’t want to
ever see this person naked, let alone sit through an entire
dinner with him or her. So don’t agree to spend the day at
Disneyland (which I did…so I know what I’m talking about) when a
quick cup of coffee or a drink after work will suffice. If
you’re both having a wonderful time, that cup of coffee can
always be extended into a walk around the park or lunch at your
favorite bistro.

4. If you have a favorite outfit, wear it! Ladies, do your
nails, fix up your hair, put on fresh lipstick. Guys, wear your
lucky “going out” shirt. When you feel sexy and confident, it
shows. It also shows the other person that you made an effort
and that is sexy.

5. Be polite. Even if there isn’t an attraction for you, treat
the person you’re meeting with respect. He or she may not be the
date of your dreams, but remember that they took the time and
effort to come meet you.

6. Keep the conversation light and fun. Don’t bemoan your bad
dating luck or how much you’re dying to have
children…immediately! Think of a first meeting as a cocktail
party: you’re meeting someone new and the talk is typically
frivolous and casual. Discuss your work, where you were raised,
any traveling you did recently. Based on your personal ads, you
should already have some idea of what you have in common. If
it’s your mutual love for the Yankees or your record of never
missing an episode of “Survivor,” talk about it.

7. Keep it casual and easy. Great ideas for a first meeting:
grab some java at the local coffee house, hit happy hour for a
glass of wine and buffalo wings (then go home!), have an al
fresco lunch where people-watching is ample (terrific for any
lulls in the conversation), or meet at the dog park with your
pooches in tow.

8. Don’t forget to have fun! Online dating, like any dating, is
an adventure. Go with an open mind and you’ll do well. If
nothing else, you’ll have great stories to tell your friends
later.