In addition to meeting people in your classes, at clubs, and around campus, you may make friends online. You may connect over a shared interest or just strike up a conversation in a group one day and end up becoming close friends. Eventually, you may decide you’d like to meet up in real life. Most of the time, this ends up being a great experience. However, it is important to take steps to ensure your safety.
1. Confirm Your Friend’s Identity
If you’ve only ever communicated with your friend on a single platform, make sure you cross-check the person’s identity before you arrange to meet. For example, you could follow each other on social media or have a video chat. If your online friend is unwilling to share socials, refuses to have a few video calls before you meet, or does anything else you find suspicious, it’s better to cancel your in-person meetup.
2. Choose a Public Place
To stay safe (and ensure your friend feels comfortable, too), propose to meet in a public place. If you’re meeting when there’s a convention for a fandom or a concert for a band you both love, you can arrange to see each other at the venue. Otherwise, you’ll need to pick somewhere suitable. A coffee shop is great if you want to have a chat, but you could also consider going to one of your favorite places in the city.
3. Consider Transportation
It’s important to be able to leave whenever you want. This means you should either come in your own transportation or by public transit. Don’t rely on someone else dropping you off and picking you up.
4. Discuss Your Plans
Make sure your friend is clear about what you’ll be doing when you meet. For instance, you may like to mention how long you expect to hang out and should mention any boundaries you have.
5. Think of Topics of Conversation
If you’re used to chatting online, having a conversation in person may feel quite different. Most of the time, the awkwardness soon passes. Nonetheless, it still helps to come prepared with topics of conversation, especially if you’re not typically the most talkative person. Think about things you’d like to know about your friend, have some ideas for anecdotes to share, or prepare some icebreakers related to your shared interests.
6. Consider Bringing Someone Else Along
You may feel more at ease if you bring someone along whom you already know in real life. It’s ideal if this person shares the same interests as your online friend or is just more outgoing than you. Tell your friends about each other before you all meet to help the conversation flow.
If you’d prefer to meet your online friend alone (such as if none of your university friends share your common interest), an alternative is to just let someone know where you’ll be. You may like to share your live location. That way, you can send your friend a message to come over if you feel uncomfortable and need an excuse to leave early.
You’ll have the chance to meet plenty of new people and have a place to hang out with all your friends when you live at THEO. Our uOttawa student housing gives you much more than just a bedroom — we’re a student community. Chill in the movie lounge or rec room, get fit in the gym or at the basketball court, or meet with your study group in one of our conference rooms. Contact us for information about short-term leases and special promotions for immediate occupancy.