Safety first!

Safety first!

In creating this new e-mail address, make sure you don't use your real name anywhere. Not in the address itself, not in the "From" tag, not in the domain name, and not in the signature. Nowhere. First name only. And if you have a super-duper-recognizable first name, you might wanna skip names altogether. Make sure this is not an address you've used to comment on forums or any other outlet which might out you. This is for DATING ONLY. (If you get annoyed with having to check multiple accounts, you can set this one to forward to your regular account, but you should still only reply from the dating account for dating-related messages. Google and Google Apps have a great system for this if you need a referral.)

So let's say you've moved past all this, and you're ready to set up Your First Date. This is important, so pay attention. DO NOT DISCLOSE YOUR ADDRESS. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. For your first date, no matter how cozy a feeling you have about this fella/lady, you're gonna meet at the restaurant/bar/cafe/zoo/steamboat factory. Whatever it is you two have sussed out as a good meeting spot, you're meeting each other there. Doesn't matter how charming he is about offering to be a gentleman and pick you up*, nor does it matter if the bar is right next to her office (which she shouldn't have told you). You're meeting there.