What precautions you take when you meet an online friend?

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Liz01

Guest
#1
#1
Nowdays is very common to know ppl around the world on the internet, i havent met anyone yet in real life but i was thinking about the urban legends in which a person know someone in real life and turns to be very different than they said on internet, so what would be the precaucions steps or advices that you can give if you are going to meet a internet-friend?
 
Liamson

Liamson

Senior Member
#2
Feb 3, 2010
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#2
Take a friend with you. Its always good to bring someone with you to meet someone new.
 
X

xEyesOnFirex

Guest
#3
#3
Meet in a public place. Like the person above me said, bringing someone along isn't a bad idea. Carry a cellphone with you. Make sure friends and/or family know your plans - where you're meeting the person, basic information about the person. Trust your instinct.
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#4
#4
I've met a couple of people from online (only after knowing them for a LONG time), but most of them do seem quite different in person.

Make sure that someone who isn't with you knows with whom you are meeting and as much about them as you can tell them, even if you do take someone with you. If you feel the least bit uneasy, leave via a public egress.

Just an FYI, if you REALLY are concerned about someone, it's very easy to snap a photo of them and maybe even a license plate to send to the person who knows where you are. You'd be surprised how many crimes are solved with information provided by the one who got away.

Be very, very careful when you meet strangers online or off.
 
grace

grace

Senior Member
#5
Sep 8, 2006
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I would echo what others have said already.

I have met up with a number of people I have initially met online. But as Jullianna said, ONLY after I had gotten to know them well. But unlike Jullianna, I found them to be the same way they presented themselves to online.

I think you do want to give information to people that know you well. Where you will be, if you are traveling what route your taking etc. A contact number where you will be (besides cell phone), etc.

In all honesty, its probably best to do that for any sort of travel.....but esspecially upon meeting someone for the first time.

I have really enjoyed spending time with those I initially met online, and I have no regrets. My next big trip will be to the Netherlands to meet a really dear friend. I tell her all the time that she is one of the best friends I have ever had that I have never met in person. LOL
 
Liamson

Liamson

Senior Member
#6
Feb 3, 2010
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#6
grace said:
But unlike Jullianna, I found them to be the same way they presented themselves to online.
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So are you saying that Jullianna isn't the same person that we all know and love?
 
grace

grace

Senior Member
#7
Sep 8, 2006
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LOL...NO, I am saying that I did not have similiar experiences that she has had with those she has met. Those people that I have met in person were as I expected them to be from getting to know them through email, IM's, phone calls, Facebook etc.

If I ever meet Julllianna in person, I wlll let you know, but I totally do not doubt that she is the real deal through and through. :)
 
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Jullianna

Guest
#8
#8
LOL! I would say that personality-wise, they were all the same, but there were things about them that you wouldn't notice online.

Example: A detective with Chicago PD that I met via an online law enforcement community where I was a mod a couple of years ago. He was very, very sweet to ME and other people online, but he was incredibly abrupt and rude with others we came in contact with, such as waiters, etc. It was very disappointing and I was very embarrassed by his behavior. Needless to say, that was the end of that. :)

I do think though that most people are a bit more bold online than they are in person, don't you?
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#9
#9
Grace and I have talked on the phone though. :) It's more fun than typing. LOL
 
grace

grace

Senior Member
#10
Sep 8, 2006
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Jullianna said:
LOL! I would say that personality-wise, they were all the same, but there were things about them that you wouldn't notice online.

Example: A detective with Chicago PD that I met via an online law enforcement community where I was a mod a couple of years ago. He was very, very sweet to ME and other people online, but he was incredibly abrupt and rude with others we came in contact with, such as waiters, etc. It was very disappointing and I was very embarrassed by his behavior. Needless to say, that was the end of that. :)

I do think though that most people are a bit more bold online than they are in person, don't you?
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That would be dissapointing. (from someone you met in real life OR from online.) :/ There is no need for that.

I would totally agree that people come accross more *confident* online. I guess there is the bit of anonymity and a computer to hide behind that can cause a person to feel protected. (for lack of a better way of putting it.)

You most certainly have to be on your game as far as dicernment goes when you make yourself vulnerable to others that you have never met in person before.
 
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NodMyHeadLikeYeah

Guest
#12
#12
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
 
Liamson

Liamson

Senior Member
#13
Feb 3, 2010
3,078
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#13
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
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Proof positive that Nod is reason we are afraid to meet online people. =P
 
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luv

Guest
#14
#14
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
Click to expand...

Does this come in lavender?​
 
Descyple

Descyple

Senior Member
#15
Jun 7, 2010
3,023
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#15
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
Click to expand...

How about Emerald Green? It would go well with my eyes!!!
 
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Jullianna

Guest
#16
#16
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
Click to expand...
I want one of those!!! :)
 
W

wolfywolfs

Guest
#17
#17
meh a stun gun will do
 
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Liz01

Guest
#18
#18
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Full body armor is the only way to really protect yourself from unwanted stares or hugs from this ''online person'' your meeting. I wish it came in a more flattering style, but this will have to do for now.
Click to expand...

hahahahaha...this seem to be safe enough
 
G

gcooldude

Guest
#19
#19
Liz01 said:
Nowdays is very common to know ppl around the world on the internet, i havent met anyone yet in real life but i was thinking about the urban legends in which a person know someone in real life and turns to be very different than they said on internet, so what would be the precaucions steps or advices that you can give if you are going to meet a internet-friend?
Click to expand...
I usually exchange pictures and/or go on Skype to see who they are, add them as a friend on Facebook, and only meet them when I feel comfortable. I don't usually take a friend but meet in a public area. I really only meet people from dating sites (ex. eHarmony and ChristianCafe) so usually people are pretty serious on those sites about who they are. I do not meet non-Christian people from the internet.
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#20
#20
Public place for sure. Keep an eye on your surroundings. Don't have your back to any windows or doors.
 
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