CALENDAR WEEKEND

Be careful out there

Is it safe to talk to strangers? It can be.

February 10, 2005

Dating experts given to paraphrasing dead presidents say we should mostly fear fear itself, because it's often an excuse to stay home. Alone. Acknowledge that if you talk to strangers who seem appealing at first, the greater risk is discovering they don't make your heart sing, not that they're stalkers or homicidal maniacs. To avoid either, take some simple precautions:

Give out only your cellphone number or an e-mail address.

Don't tell a new acquaintance where you work.

Do not give out your home address or let a stranger take you home.

If you arrange a rendezvous after that first encounter, meet in a public place and be able to get home by yourself. Tell a friend where you're going to meet, and check in when you've gotten home safely.

Remember your surroundings as you remain open to life's possibilities. Strip clubs, prison parking lots and check-cashing stores may not be the best places to find your soul mate.

To order a reprint of this article, please click here.