Travelling to meet an online friend

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2003
Travelling to meet an online friend
3
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 1:48am
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Edited 7/14/2004 1:18 am ET ET by jayne4r
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-07-2004
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 2:07am
Grab the bull by the horns! Don't pass up something you may regret later. Life is too short for regrets. But definitely be careful.



I have met several people from online and I made sure to be in public places at all times. If this guy is a gentleman he will understand that you want to be somewhere comfortable. So if you feel a little weird about visiting his place ask him to meet you at your hotel. Another thing you can do is try getting him to make lots of plans for you both to visit different places where he lives. Since he is not originally from there, it will give him a chance to see where he is living a little better.

If you do plan on visiting his home make sure someone always knows where you are at all times. Use your cell phone to your advantage if you have one. Otherwise make calls from his place to someone back home so they know. If you have the money rent a car! Rental cars have trackers. i dont' want to scare you but it's just some tips. (I have volunteered with local authorities on women's safety!)

But don't worry too much. Have one expectation, you get to meet a new person and make new friend! It just never hurts to be safe!

GOOD LUCK!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 11:43am
I wouldn't bother actually. You just broke up with a guy a few months ago, and while you should be moving on, you should not be travelling 4000 miles to meet a guy. Go and be single for a little while, enjoy yourself, there's no rush to get back into anything!!!If you really have to be dating, find someone in YOUR town that you can meet for coffee. Ask a friend to set you up.

I know that you are caught up in the whirl of something new and it's exciting- believe me, we've all been there at some time. But I would be less worried than if this was someone from your town. This guy is already making excuses for why HE can't travel to your town. If he's serious, he will go and get his *problems* fixed with his passport and come to see you. You should not be travelling to another country to meet someone you don't know. If he's serious, he would make the effort to come to where you live, so that there's a safety net for you.

Maybe I'm just paranoid and I watch too many true crime shows, but I would worry about you! Go find someone a little more accessable, ok?

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 12:37pm
Hi! I know what you are talking about. I have met three guys so far who I have met on line... all of them live in the US (I am from Canada). My first meeting was when I traveled to New York (I go there often to see plays anyway, and he was from there.) What I did was meet him in a public place I had picked that I knew of. If you are traveling to somewhere new, go a day or two early. Get to know the area and the place you agreed to meet. Another time, I met this guy in Orlando. We went to see Cirque De Sole (is that how you spell it??) and stayed in Downtown Disney the whole time (we ate at a cute little restaurant located next to the theatre). The third time, I met a guy from New York in Toronto. That was cool since both of us were not from the area and I had family there. Also, both times I went to the US to meet someone, I was traveling with friends. They don't have to be with you on the date, but it is always good sense to have them close. You can make it a long weekend or something. Then, if you feel comfortable during the date, your friends can leave. Make sure they have a cell and call in from time to time. Never go with the guy to another location until the next meeting or until you know him better. Listen to your instincts. If something tells you this guy is a little fishy, he most likely is. How long have you been in contact with him. When I actually met the guys, I was in contact with them for a while... that way I could watch closely what they said and look for anything contradictory. Dating people you met on line is just fine. It is no different than picking up a stranger in a bar. The internet has made the world so much smaller. Who knows... maybe the guy who is meant for you just happens to not live in your city or town! Good luck with everything. Just use your common sense and you will be fine! Dar