This is always fun! You’ve been chatting online for a while and now you’re ready to speak to them.

What will their voice sound like? What will they say?

Enjoy the excitement of this step in your online dating relationship but keep these safe dating tips in mind.

Dating Tips for Safe, Successful Phone Calls

ONLINE CALLS

Using online instant messaging services is the safest, easiest and cheapest way to chat in real time. Investing in a microphone and set of headphones for your computer will cost hardly anything and give you unlimited safe chat time!

Log onto Private Phone to get your very own disposable number. Sign up online and select your private number by state (you can choose any state!) and record a voicemail greeting. When someone calls that number they’ll go directly to that voicemail, thinking they’ve reached your real phone. You will be alerted by an email or text message and can then access their voice message over the phone or internet. Easy!

To return calls make sure the number on your real phone is blocked and avoid using your home phone.

START WITH CELLS

If possible begin with calls between cell phones as your home number can be used to find your home address. Of course this will cost a little more but you can’t put a dollar value on safety! Alternatively block the caller ID on your landline.

GO ON PHONE DATE

Keep things interesting by using your cells to go on a phone date. Arrange to speak to each other from your favorite café, park, beach etc. This will keep your conversations exciting and interesting while ensuring your safety.

IS SOMETHING ODD?

Be highly suspicious if the other person can only talk at odd or specified hours, talks in hushed tones or cuts conversations short by saying “Sorry, gotta go”. They may not be as single as you think.

PREPARE TO SUCCEED

Are you worried you’ll run out of things to talk about with your online dating partner? Scared about stuffing up the punch lines of your jokes? Grab a pen and paper and make a list of topics to discuss, jokes and anecdotes to share, songs to sing – whatever you want to bring up! Just remember to speak naturally; news reader impersonations aren’t cool for a first chat.

NO PRESSURE

As in all online and offline communication don’t feel pressured into discussing something you’re not comfortable with. Write another list of any definite no-go topics of conversation and prepare avoidance excuses in case they pop up. For example, if you don’t want to discuss your salary have a written response prepared such as “I’d actually rather not discuss my salary but I can tell you about the best parts of my job if you like”.

SMILE

Always smile when you answer the phone, your online dating partner will hear it in your voice!