Been mulling this over for a while and figured this was the right place to get real opinions. Video calling before a meet is the fastest way to confirm someone is who they claim to be.
Public first meetings are non-negotiable — coffee shop, bar, food court, anywhere visible. Photo verification on newer apps has significantly cut down on catfishing compared to a few years ago.
Things I keep in mind for safety:
- Never share your real last name, address, or workplace before meeting someone in person.
- Public first meetings are non-negotiable — coffee shop, bar, food court, anywhere visible.
- Separate email addresses for dating activity is just good basic digital hygiene.