Meeting in Person, the First Time

Pick a public spot with good lighting and an easy exit. A coffee shop, a gallery, a bar with windows. Skip the apartment for the first meet — you can always move the night somewhere else once you've laid eyes on each other.

Tell one trusted person where you're going and when you expect to be home. Share live location with them for the night if your phone supports it. This isn't paranoia, it's hospitality to your future self.

Drive yourself, or know your way home before you arrive. Don't leave drinks unattended. And remember: leaving early is always allowed. "This was lovely, I'm going to head out" is a complete sentence and owes no follow-up.