This week’s focus for the Live RIght at Night Campaign is how to Date Right at Night…
Alright ladies, the end of the week is upon us and it’s time to get ready for DATE NIGHT! But prepping for your date doesn’t end once you have picked out your hot curve hugging dress or fabulous killer heels… that’s just the beginning …
Tonight’s night out may be a first date or the early beginnings of your relationship with this fine young man so you may not want him to know exactly where you live. Consider meeting him at a public location instead of having him pick you up at your house. No judgment if for your first date you are meeting him at his Upper West Side apartment so he can cook you a home-cooked delicious dinner. Let’s just make a date night plan ahead of time in order to ensure your safety and fun! It’s a scary statistic but according to the U.S. Department of Justice every 2 minutes a woman is raped in the United States. And 1 in 4 women are victims of rape or attempted rape, and of those women 84% knew their attacker and 57% happened while on a date. So, please before you step out for a night of dating bliss make sure to tell, text or email at least one girlfriend where you are going and with whom. Hey, these days you can send her his FB pic or twitter handle LOL …
Being too connected to your phone and texting or taking calls is a dating no-no but it may be wise to ask a girlfriend to check in on you during your date to make sure everything is going well and you’re having fun and are safe. Don’t go overboard and have your bestie check in on you every 15 minutes. But having her check in on you once can serve as a “temperature check” and also a get away plan. I, personally, have the added bonus of a pager that often goes off while I’m out so sometimes that also serves as my get away plan.
Speaking of get away plans, how are you getting to and from this date? Bus, train, cab, driving yourself? Make sure you always carry a little secret stash – THAT YOU DON’T SPEND – like your granny does in her bra … $20 should be enough, and can be used in a pinch for emergencies. Along the same lines make sure you charge up your cell phone in case you need to call someone you have enough juice to make and stay on a call.
Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with pre-funking at the house while you get ready for your date and having a few drinks on your evening out. But in order to have a safe and fun time know your limit. 55% of women involved in a date rape reported drinking or taking drugs before the attack happened. Sadly, some women didn’t even know they were slipped something until it was too late. So, pace yourself, don’t drink too much, never leave your drink unattended, and make sure to have water in between your cocktails. Here’s a useful app Drink Tracker at http://www.slappme.com that helps you gauge how much alcohol you can have throughout the night so you can make it to the finish line and that goodnight kiss still looking and feeling fabulous .. because we all know sloppy is not sexy.
Wishing you a fabulous night living right!
Dr. V