Pick the venue
- Busy, well-lit, with staff around. A hotel bar or café works well.
- Far enough from your home, work and usual haunts to avoid bumping into people you know, but not somewhere you can't easily leave.
- Pick it together, or choose it yourself. Avoid venues the other person insists on if they're remote or private.
Transport
Your own car, taxi or public transport. Don't accept a lift on a first meeting. Know how you're getting home.
Time limit
Plan for an hour. If it goes well, extend it. If not, you've an easy exit: "I've got to get going at 7."
Pay for your own drink
It keeps things clear and keeps your options open.
Exit plan
Decide in advance what you'll say and do if you want to leave. A short, polite line works: "It's been lovely, but I'm going to head off."
Things to avoid on date one
Private venues, drinks you haven't watched being poured, oversharing your schedule, and rushing to somewhere more private.
FAQs
Where should we meet?
A busy public place that's convenient for both of you.
How long should a first meeting be?
About an hour.
Can we go somewhere private straight away?
Safer to wait until you've met in public and feel comfortable.