Meeting and corresponding online is one thing, but when it comes time for the first face-to-face meeting, it can be intimidating. Planning ahead and taking safety precautions can help make your experience more positive. Tips for the first meeting: Appearance - the first impression is important, but don't exaggerate. Dress to express who you are, not who you want someone to think you are. Take pride in your appearance, showing you care, but don't go overboard. Going underboard is just as bad. Having an unkempt appearance doesn't give a good impression. You don't have to wear designer clothes or the trendiest fashions, but at least have a clean and neat appearance. Expectations - be realistic with your expectations. Don't create a fantasy of who you are meeting, but realize they are human, just like you. You may find they lied about their appearance or personality or they may seem the same in person as they were online. Either way, look at this as an experience, not the definition of your dating life. Either you will click with this person or you won't, but it's not the end all. Public meeting - always meet in a public place and drive yourself. Never allow your date ...

If you've signed up for an internet dating site, chances are you will be corresponding with a variety of people. Some will seem very trustworthy and some may seem a bit off from the start. Safety should come first. No matter how charming and trustworthy a stranger may seem, they are a stranger. You have the ultimate responsibility in protecting yourself. Following are some tips to keep safe: *  Don't give out personal information. Even if you are tempted because the person seems so nice, use common sense and hold off on giving your full name, address, phone number, place of work or any websites where you can be found. If anyone pressures you, don't comply. Would the type of person you want to meet pressure you into anything? If anyone becomes irate or aggressive in trying to get your personal information, don't feel obligated to correspond any further and use the block feature if necessary. Remember...once any personal information is given out, you can't take it back and the person you gave it to may prove to be untrustworthy. *  Don't take pictures and words at face value. Some people lie. Some people use fake pictures. Get to know someone slowly and watch ...