8 Tips Before You Meet Your Online Dating Match in Person 

You've been chatting with someone online for a while and feel connected.

You want to take the next step and meet that person in real life, but you must figure out how.

How do you ask her out? How do you plan a date? How do you make a good impression?

These are some of the questions that might be running through your mind as you prepare to meet your online crush.

Don't worry; we've got you covered.

Here are our best tips to meet someone in real life for the first time after matching online.

Shortcuts to every date idea:

#1 Communicate and Establish Trust

Being clear from the beginning can help in three different ways: 

1. Avoid awkward or uncomfortable situations when you finally meet face to face. 
2. Protect yourself from potential scammers or catfishers who might try to take advantage of you or harm you in some way.
3. Build a stronger and deeper connection with the person you're interested in.

Here are some things you can do before taking the next step:

Have enough conversations online

Take your time meeting in person after exchanging a few messages.

Ask questions about her hobbies, goals, values, opinions, and anything else that matters to you. 

Share your own stories and experiences as well.

Try to find common interests and values that can make you more compatible.

Be open and honest about your expectations and intentions

Don't pretend to be someone you're not or hide your true feelings.

Be clear about what you want and are willing to offer in a relationship.

Don't lead someone on or play games with their emotions.

Respect her boundaries and preferences as well.

Use video calls, or voice calls to verify identity

Don't rely on just text messages or photos to communicate.

Seeing the face can help you confirm that the person from the profile is the same and genuinely interested in you.

It can also help you feel more comfortable and familiar before meeting in person.

Trust your gut and look out for red flags

If something feels off or suspicious about the person you're talking to, don't ignore it or brush it off.

Pay attention to signs that something isn't right and know how to prevent scams in online dating.

#2 Choose a Public and Familiar Location

One of the most essential tips for online dating is to meet your date in person for the first time in a safe and comfortable environment.

Here are some reasons why you should choose a public and familiar location for your first meeting:

Security and peace of mind

You don't have to worry about being alone with someone you don't know well or pressured into doing something you're not ready for.

You can also ask for help or leave if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

More relaxed and natural conversation

You can avoid awkward silences by commenting on your surroundings or engaging in some activity together, such as walking, playing games, or watching a show.

You can also observe how your date interacts with others, giving clues about her personality and character.

Feel more confident and at ease

You can choose a place you know well, such as your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or park.

This way, you can avoid getting lost or confused by directions or being stressed out by unfamiliar settings.

You can also show your date some of your tastes and style by picking a place that reflects your interests and preferences.

#3 Inform someone you trust

When you meet someone for the first time, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Why

It's always good to have someone aware of your whereabouts for safety purposes. 

You never know who you will meet online or what can happen during the date.

Sometimes it might be something out of anyone's control, so it's good that someone else knows about your whereabouts.

How

Just text or call someone you trust and share your plans. 

Communicate details like the location, time, and the person's name. 

You can also send a picture of your date. 

This way, your trusted person can check in on you later and make sure everything is okay.

When

Ideally, you should do this before you leave for your date.

That way, your friend or family member has enough time to respond and confirm that the message was received. 

You can also update if anything changes, like if you decide to go somewhere else or end the date early.

#4 Have a Voice or Video Call

One of the best ways to prepare for a first date is to have a video chat or a phone conversation with your match.

Here are some benefits of having a video chat or a phone conversation before meeting in person:

Get a better sense of the person's personality and communication style

You can see how she expresses, reacts to your jokes, handles silences, and listens to you. 

You can also pick up on some non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and eye contact (if you're video chatting).

Build a stronger connection and rapport

You can share more personal stories, ask deeper questions, and show more interest and curiosity.

You can also flirt more effectively using your voice, tone, and humor.

You can create some anticipation and excitement for the first date.

Verify identity and authenticity

You can ensure that she looks like their photos, is who she says, and isn't hiding anything from you.

You can also check for any red flags or deal-breakers, such as lying, being rude, disrespectful, or inconsistent.

How do you initiate a video chat or a phone conversation? Here are some tips:

• Don't wait too long.
• Be confident and direct.
• Be flexible and respectful.

Having a video chat or a phone conversation before meeting in person can make your first date more enjoyable and successful.

It can help you better understand your match's personality and build a stronger connection before the face-to-face meeting. 

So don't be shy and give it a try!

#6 Dress Comfortably and Be Yourself

One of the most essential tips for a successful date is to dress comfortably and be yourself.

You need to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. 

This will help you relax and enjoy the date more.

Being yourself is crucial; authenticity is vital to building a genuine connection.

You don't want to pretend to be someone you're not or hide your true personality, interests, or opinions.

You want to present yourself in a way that reflects who you truly are.

This will help you attract someone who likes you for you and not for some false image you project.

Of course, dressing comfortably and being yourself doesn't mean you shouldn't try to look good and be polite.

You should still dress appropriately for the occasion and be respectful and courteous to your date. 

You should also show interest in your date and listen to what she has to say.

But you shouldn't compromise your own identity or comfort for the sake of impressing someone else.

You should be proud of who you are and let your date see the real you.

#7 Have Realistic Expectations

Remember that online chemistry doesn't always translate perfectly into real-life interactions.

Be open to getting to know the person deeper and avoid placing excessive expectations on the first meeting.

Sometimes, you might feel a strong connection with someone online, but when you meet face-to-face, you realize that you don't have much in common or that the spark is not there. 

That's okay; it doesn't mean that you wasted your time or that there's something wrong with you or her. 

It just means that online dating is not an exact science and that you have to be flexible and adaptable.

Don't take it personally if things don't work out as you hoped and try again. 

Plenty of fish are in the sea, and you never know when you might find your perfect match.

On the other hand, sometimes you might not feel a strong connection with someone online, but when you meet in person, you discover that she is fantastic and that you have a lot in common.

That's great, too! It means you gave her a chance and were pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Give people the benefit of the doubt and be open-minded and curious about who they are and what they have to offer.

The bottom line is to have realistic expectations and not put too much weight on the first meeting.

Treat it as an opportunity to learn more about the person and to see if there's potential for a deeper connection.

#8 Stay Positive and Have Fun

One of the best tips for having a successful first date is to stay positive and have fun.

This means you should approach the meeting with an optimistic attitude and not let your fears or expectations get in the way of enjoying the moment.

Even if you don't feel an instant spark or attraction, you can still have a good time by being friendly, polite, and curious about the other person.

You never know what you might learn from her or what kind of connection you might develop over time. 

A date like this can also be an excellent opportunity to expand your social circle and make a new friend, even if it doesn't turn into a romantic relationship. 

You may have some common interests or hobbies or can introduce each other to new things or people.

By staying positive and having fun, you can make the most of your date and avoid feeling disappointed or regretful.

Before you go

That's all from us, have fun!

Remember that if you need help getting dates or the dates you are getting don't go as expected, you can always contact Hovalo.

We have the experience and knowledge to improve the quality of your dates and match with more compatible people so you find the right person faster.

Schedule an introduction call to learn how we can help you change your dating life today.

See you in the next one!