You've met someone online who shares your interests. Now it's time to take it to the next level and meet in person.

You Will Need

A public place to meet

Transportation

A friend

An observant eye

Realistic expectations

Steps

Step 1 Meet in public

Meet in a public place with plenty of other people around.

Tip Meet during the daytime.

Step 2 Drive yourself

Drive yourself to the date. Don't rely on the other person to give you a ride.

Step 3 Tell friends

Tell a friend where you're going to be and for how long, and keep your cell phone with you.

Step 4 Be prepared

Be prepared to meet someone who looks different than you expected. If your date misled you about their looks, you might not be able to trust them and should rethink dating them.

Tip Check for a wedding ring tan line, especially on men. Thirty percent of married men use online dating services.

Step 5 Refrain from drinking

Refrain from drinking too much. Getting drunk on your first date makes a bad impression and can be dangerous.

Step 6 Be realistic

Be realistic. Keep the conversation light, have fun, and don't expect too much from the first date.

Tip End the date if something about the other person seems out of place and gives you a bad feeling.

Step 7 Assess the date

Assess the date and decide what your next step should be. If you hit it off, you may want to keep dating. But if you had no chemistry, keep looking for that special someone.

Did you know? According to one survey, 12 percent of engaged or married couples meet online.