closerfolk.Confirm the simple details
Agree on the exact public place, time and expected length. Check the venue’s official page for access changes before leaving.
Do not let a last-minute change move the first meeting to a home, hotel or isolated location. Rescheduling is always an option.
Arrive and leave independently
Use your own route and keep your return plan under your control. Avoid being collected from home and do not leave personal belongings unattended.
Share the plan with a trusted person and arrange a check-in. A code word can make it easier to ask for a call or help without explaining in front of the other person.
Make leaving ordinary
You can end the meeting because the chemistry is absent, a detail does not match or you simply feel uncomfortable. You do not need to prove that a danger exists.
Be polite when it feels safe, but prioritize distance and assistance when someone becomes controlling or threatening.