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.
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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.
I get countless emails from women who have met Moroccan (and sometimes from other Arab countries) men and want me to weigh in on the validity of their relationships. I refuse to do this because I don’t personally know either of them.
But, 99% of the time my brain is screaming RUN! There are so many bad scenarios and situations that people find themselves in, hoping that it’s simply cultural differences that will later be resolved.
This is most often not the case and both people are left having had a bad experience and judging all men by the same yardstick. The reality is THERE ARE men who simply want to scam women for money, residency or a way out of the country. There are also men who are insanely genuine; unfortunately the bad often outweigh the good.
So, if you find yourself in a situation where you’ve met someone overseas, what should you do?
Should I travel to meet a guy I met online? (or girl)
Falling in love with someone online from another country has many hurdles to overcome. There’s no simple answer to the question of whether you should fly to another country to meet someone and there are many variables to take into consideration. Not so long ago it was very strange to meet a potential partner online. Today however falling in love with someone online is much more common.
Where people tend to get nervous is when the other partner lives in another country and there may be some travel involved. No matter how long or how well you think you know someone, it’s quite easy to portray one thing online and another in person.
Before taking this step, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.
Consider these six things as you walk this road.
Your Heart is Great But… Use Your Head
I did my share of crazy. Many people would say that what I did after I met MarocBaba was insane, and maybe it was. I know personally of a lot of women meeting men online in other countries and then uprooting their entire lives to move to said country and start a life together. Sometimes it works, but a lot of times it ends up leading to big problems.
Things aren’t always what they seem. When considering a relationship it’s fine to let your heart lead you but use your head too.
If something seems off, trust your instinct.
Listen to your gut. Do not allow yourself to get so wrapped up in romance or the idea of something that you ignore everything else. Use the same yardstick you would with a man from your own culture, don’t play off things simply because “he’s from a different culture.”
If you really can’t stand a certain trait don’t assume it will ever change. You also may want to read this post about the good, the bad, and the ugly of meeting someone overseas.
Leave a Record of Where You Will Be
Before meeting someone, and especially when traveling overseas to meet someone, you should leave a clear record of where you will be. This is not the time to evasive or elusive.
What information to leave should include copies of your passport, travel documents, addresses where you will be staying, and who you will be with. If this changes while you are traveling, update someone at home with the information.
If you will be meeting someone new, get as much of their information as possible. Where they live (address), their full name, birthday, parents names, really just any and everything you can and document it. You might even ask them for a copy of their national ID card so you can verify their identity and have it just in case.
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If they don’t want to share this information it should be considered a red flag. Protect yourself first and foremost and don’t let their hesitation to provide you with information that could help keep you safe guilt you into feeling bad.
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.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself
Do NOT trust someone at face value. You should do some research to know not only who the person you are meeting is but learn about the place you are going. Make sure you have the numbers for your embassy or foreign mission.
You also should research ahead of time so that you know how to reach them, not only by phone but physically. Is there a bus route? Do you need a taxi? Make sure that you have money available to do this.
If you are meeting someone new it is advisable that you book a hotel room or private accommodation. This gives you time to meet up but also space in case things do not go as planned. “Dating” when you first arrive is a good way to break the ice, get to know the person, and decide if your online feelings translate offline.
If you do decide to stay with the person you are meeting, have enough money and resources available to leave if you need to. Keep your identifying documents and financial resources near or on your person at all times.
Register with Your Embassy and Foreign Affairs Department
Most countries have a program in place for citizens to register when they are traveling abroad. Do it and keep the information updated. If your family is unsure where you are or if you are in need of assistance, your government needs to have as much information about you as possible to help find you.
This is also important if there is a natural disaster or other emergencies in the country you are visiting. Embassies work to identify where their citizens are, and if they have been affected. If you don’t let them know where you are, they won’t know where to look for you.
If you’re a US Citizen this is where you would register – STEP Enrollment.
Sound Too Good To Be True? It Probably Is…
If I had a penny for all of the stories I have heard men tell women about how they’re going to wine and dine and sweep them off their feet I would own a private island by now.
The bottom line is, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t let your emotions or your desire for it to be true, overcome the reality of what it is.
I truly believe that most people in the world are good, but I also know that there are people who are not. This post isn’t meant to scare people out of visiting other countries (because bad things happen everywhere) but are some practical tips that should be kept in mind to stay safe when traveling.
Looking for more help navigating a new cross-cultural relationship?
So many people have requested help with this so I put together an ebook that you can use to assess your situation. It provides insight on what to look for and also questions to ask before meeting in person, discussion questions, and an activity for you and your partner.
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