How To Date Someone In The UK Without Getting Scammed

How To Date Someone In The UK Without Getting Scammed

You’ve met this great guy online and feel like it’s time to meet. It’s exciting and exhilarating but slow down! Meeting someone online has never been easier however it’s time to proceed with caution. Meeting someone overseas is a big step.

Online dating is one of the most popular ways to meet a partner and it’s opened up the world in a way that nothing else ever has. This also means being exposed to a lot more danger than ever before. Bad things can happen anywhere but it’s important to take steps to protect yourself physically and financially. 

Here are the things to consider before dating somebody in the UK;

• Set Check-In Times with a Trusted Friend

Talk with your friends and family before you travel to give them a rough timeline of your plans. Let them know how often you will try to check-in. Then create a plan with them on what they should do if they don’t hear from you within a determined time period. 

This is one of the conversations people do not want to have because they feel like if they admit they have concerns or want to have a plan their loved ones might be less supportive. Having a plan just in case does not mean something will for sure happen. It’s simply making sure there are next steps to follow.

If you don’t feel like a parent or sibling is supportive and receptive then choose a close friend that can be your check-in person. Most importantly be sure that you stick to the plan or you alert if you will be deviating. Your check-in buddy should also be ready and prepared to take the next step if you miss your check-in time and not just shrug it off.

• Get a passport.

Before you can start collecting colorful stamps from all over the world, you need somewhere to put them first. Start your passport applications several months before your flight date, especially if you need visas from foreign embassies.

Most likely, you will need to apply in person at your local passport agency. Be prepared to provide proof of citizenship, an extra form of identity, and recent document photos. Check your local office for specific requirements before you head in to fill out that application!

As soon as you receive your passport, make a couple of copies of the front page. Take one copy with you when you travel, and leave another copy with someone you trust back home. In worst case scenario, if your passport gets stolen, this will help you out a lot.

And if you do already have a passport, double-check the expiration date! Even with a valid passport, most countries deny entry if it is due to expires within three to six months of travel. Travel plans have a tendency to change, and who wants to get stuck in Uzbekistan or Belarus (or even France, for that matter) because they cannot board an airplane with an expired ID?

• Develop a budget.

This is particularly helpful if you will be spending extended time abroad with a study or volunteer program. Research the cost of living in that particular country, and see where your expenses will go every month: accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment. If you are merely taking a personal trip, make an educated guess about how much you will be spending on hotels, excursions, dinners out, etc.

Regardless, be realistic about the expenses and take more money with you than you think you will use. Not only because sometimes two glasses of vino verdhe will turn into three, but emergencies and unexpected opportunities always arise. Be prepared.

One more money tip: usually, it will be cheaper to use your credit card abroad for more purchases, and just take one big stack of cash out for cash-only purposes (street carts, bus fare, indie shops, tips). ATM fees add up!