It’s important to be careful with drinking alcohol – when you travel solo in general, and especially when you’re going on a date. Don’t leave your drink unattended and drink in moderation; I personally tend to have a two-drink limit when I’m on a first date.

This goes for both men and women. Be especially cautious of anyone who wants access to your personal details, asks for money or financial aid, or seems to be in trouble. Someone I met in Australia, when I was traveling and living out of my car, told me later he actually wondered if I was going to swindle him!! (I didn’t, obviously.)

I went on a date with an amazing guy early on my road trip up the East Coast (same guy who thought I might swindle him, lol). We went for lunch and a walk, we were having a really nice time, and he offered to cook for me and invited me back to his place for dinner. I told him I needed his full name, phone number, and address to send to my friend, so that she knew exactly where I’d be. He didn’t blink an eye and gave me all his details – it was a huge green flag to me, that he respected my current situation and he understood why I needed to do that.

Last year, I met a Hot Marine (yes, both are capped) at my best friend’s wedding in Florida. I didn’t end up going home with him, for a few reasons, but the main reason was because I couldn’t use my phone in the US. I was worried about how vulnerable I’d be – I was in an unfamiliar city and my only exit route would be calling an Uber, or (God forbid) the police. Neither of which I could do without a phone. Would he hotspot me, or give me the wifi password, if I asked? Or would he see that vulnerability as something he could exploit, and I end up in a dangerous situation? I really didn’t think so, my gut instinct was that he was a genuinely good person. I didn’t know how to have this conversation late at night after drinking and dancing for hours. For me, the risks were just a bit too high, the conversation a bit too complicated – so, I ended up just saying goodnight.Seguir leyendo