Dating Safely

Are you ready to date IRL? Here are some tips to help you stay safe once you’ve decided to meet your match in person—and ensure your date feels comfortable too! 

Before the date: 

• Ask your match to get verified using Bumble’s photo verification feature in the app. 
• Use our video chat or voice call feature to “meet” your date virtually before you take it offline. That way, you can be 100% sure they’re who they say they are!
• The first time you meet, make sure it’s in a public place. 
• Tell somebody close to you your date’s name, where you’re going, and when—and that you’ll contact them once you’re safely home afterward.

During the date:

• Don’t give out private information about yourself right away, like your home or office address.
• If you’re drinking, keep an eye on your drink. If you have to leave it for any length of time, you can order a fresh one! 
• Always feel free to politely leave the date. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s important to put yourself first. 
• Find an advocate nearby, like a bartender or waiter. Enlist their help to get you out of an uncomfortable situation by saying you have an urgent call.
• If it’s something more serious, ask the bartender or waiter to help you organize a way to get home—or call the police.

Dating respectfully

Remember, your date is probably just as nervous as you are! Here are some ways to make sure you’re treating your match with respect when you meet in person.

Before the date:

• Make sure your own profile is verified on Bumble before asking to meet IRL. You can offer to video chat in the app a few days beforehand to make sure your date’s feeling comfortable that you are who you say you are!
• If you’re planning a date, include an option that doesn’t involve alcohol, like a trip to a museum or roller skating rink. That way, your date won’t feel pressured to drink if they don’t want to.  
• Make sure you’ve discussed any boundaries before meeting up. The pandemic may be ending, but there are many people who’d prefer to stick to outdoor and/or masked dates for now. 

 During the date:

• See each date as the chance to get to know someone better, rather than going in with any expectations that your meetup should progress beyond that. 
• Be kind, embrace a positive attitude, and aim to have fun. That'll help put your date at ease. 
• Remember: neither one of you owes each other anything, no matter who pays for the meal.