How to Meet New People Safely in Real Life

It is not like you don’t want to meet new people. You do. But life gets in the way. And even when you do manage to find a little time, the questions start to pile up. How do you actually meet new people safely? What if you are in danger? What if the vibe is off? What if you feel stuck? What if it is just too uncomfortable?  

Physical safety isn’t your only worry. There’s also the fear of not knowing what to expect, what to say, when to leave or who you are really meeting. That hesitation is completely valid. And that is what this blog will address.  

This is not a generic safety tips for meeting strangers checklist – you probably already have one of those. This is a blog about naming what offline safety actually means to different people in different social settings, and how you can find your own safe ways to meet someone new.

Because meeting someone new in person should not feel like a gamble. It should feel steady. It should feel like something you get to choose.

‍

What does Offline Safety Actually Mean?

When we think of safety, we generally think of the location, the time of the day, who the other person would be and many other physical aspects. And those are real and valid concerns.

But the idea of meeting new people safely encompasses a lot more than this. What feels safe for you might feel uncomfortable to someone else, and vice-versa. And this is the distinction we often forget.  

To ensure everyone remains safe when meeting new people in person, it is important that we first acknowledge that safety doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all definition. But there are patterns, shaped by lived experience, identity, and access.  

This is what safety could look like for different people:

• If you are neurodivergent, you need sensory safety, which might mean meeting somewhere with low sensory input, not too loud, not too crowded, and with someone who understands pacing, timing, and the value of predictability.

• As a woman, you care about both physical and emotional safety. This means meeting in a public place, knowing your boundaries will be respected, and not feeling like politeness will be mistaken for something else.

• As an older person, safety might come from familiarity, clear communication, and upfront plans. Spaces that feel open and comfortable, rather than fast-paced or chaotic, could seem safe to you.

• If you are socially anxious or shy, emotional safety is your topmost priority. It could mean being around someone who does not judge, interrupt, or make you feel like you need to earn your place.

• For anyone unsure about meeting a new person offline, what matters is social safety, like clarity around plans, shared expectations, and knowing you can say no or change your mind.

When we talk about how to meet people safely, we are talking about all of this. Not just logistics or rules. But building the kind of trust that allows real connection to happen naturally.

‍

Signs to Watch for When Meeting New People in Person

It can be hard to tell what is safe and what is not when you are meeting someone new for the first time. Most unsafe situations are not outright dangerous. They are just off in a subtle way that is hard to explain until it is too late.  

And that is why most people feel so anxious and worried about how to meet people safely in person.

Here are some early signs to help you decide if the space and person are actually safe.

Green Flags: Signs You are in a Safe Space

If you see these signs, chances are you are in a respectful, steady environment.

• You know when, where, and what the activity is, with no vague last-minute changes.

• The other person respects your preferences around time, location, and pace.

• There is time to check in, ask questions, or pause before deciding to meet.

• You can leave or change plans when you want without being made to feel guilty

• The person uses a platform with profile verification, or is open about who they are.

• You are meeting in a public place that feels neutral and accessible.

• You feel calm, steady, and able to be yourself.

Yellow Flags: Time to Pause and Rethink

Something feels off, but it is not yet clear if this is a mismatch, a misunderstanding, or something more. These are signs to pause, ask more questions, or adjust the plan.

• You are given generalities (“around 3 pm,” “some café nearby”) and no follow-through when you ask for clarity.

• They agree to your suggestions but joke about them or offer alternatives that do not reflect what you asked for.

• The person is warm in one message, then cold or abrupt in the next, leaving you unsure how to read them.

• They dodge questions about themselves and about your plans. You never get a clear answer.

• You are adjusting your availability or preferences more than feels balanced.

• Nothing is outright wrong, but something makes you feel uneasy and on edge.

Red Flags: When to Step Back or Walk Away

These are clear signs that the other person is trying to disrespect your boundaries or manipulate and control the situation. If any of these occur, it is time to step away.

• Whether it is about time, place, or pace, they ignore your “no”.

• They use words like “relax,” “you worry too much,” or “you’re overthinking” to override your legitimate concerns.

• They insist on meeting at a private or secluded location, even after you suggest public spaces.

• They refuse profile verification and push to move the chat off-platform quickly.

• They flatter, guilt-trip, or contradict earlier statements to steer you toward saying yes.

• You are preparing excuses, mentally planning an exit, or overriding your internal signals to be polite.

Meeting new people safely isn’t just about avoiding red flags. It is also about noticing what helps you feel steady and supported from the start. Once you know what to look for, it becomes easier to decide how and when to move forward.

‍

How to Meet New People Safely in Person

Even when you are aware of the signs to look for, it could be a little intimating to meet someone new for the first time.

Here are some safe ways to meet someone new in person. These aren’t just run-of-the-mill safety tips for meeting strangers but simple and actionable steps you can take to stay safe.

1. Make a Short, Time-bound Plan

Yes, you have spoken to them on social media or a friend-making app, but this is the first time you are meeting them in person, and you don’t know how it will go. So, choose a short plan with a clear start and end. For example, you could go for a 30-minute coffee at your neighbourhood café or walk around your local park. This way, you have enough time to get a sense of the situation and get out before you feel stuck.

2. Keep Things Close to Home

As a rule of thumb, your first plan with your new friend shouldn’t be a beach picnic 20 km away from your home. You might have talked online, but you are essentially meeting a stranger for the first time. So, meet at a place that you are familiar with.

3. Be Upfront about Your Needs

Maybe you are planning to go to the museum together, but you get a little anxious in crowded spaces, let them know in advance so you can shape the plan together. Maybe three or four of you are meeting for a sketching session at a local park, but you are not good at small talk, be upfront about that. Whatever your needs, let the other person know. Their response will tell you everything you need to know.

4. Use the Pre-meet Chat

Apps like Bunchups allow you to chat with people before you meet them in person. Properly using such a feature is a good safety tip for meeting strangers. Pay attention not just to what is being said, but also to how it is said. Do they respect your questions? Do they check in on your preferences or push for fast decisions? You can easily spot your green, yellow or red flags here.

5. Have an Exit Plan, Just in Case

When you are setting foot in an unfamiliar situation, having an exit plan in your back pocket is a smart strategy. Let someone from your inner circle know where you are and with whom. Before leaving, ask them to check in on you in an hour or so. If the need arises, they could be your exit. Or if the situation doesn’t feel right, you could simply say something like, “Thanks for this, I’m going to head off now, but I’m glad we connected,” and exit gracefully.

6. Go at Your own Pace

Some people would be more comfortable with a group board-game night than a one-on-one morning coffee. And some might find a one-on-one walk around a busy park safer than any group activity. Both are valid. There is no right or wrong here. You define what it means to feel safe when meeting new people in person. And you decide how to go about it.

‍

How Bunchups Supports Offline Safety

Feeling safe while meeting a new person is as much about what they do as it is about how you move through that interaction. And the tools you use to connect play a huge role in how safe you feel during your first meet. A safe way to meet someone new is when you feel in control and the plan reflects your boundaries and your comfort, the feeling of safety follows.

But that control is what is usually missing in bigger events or most social apps. Bunchups was designed to change that. It doesn’t push you to be anything you are not. It just makes it easier for you to safely meet new people on your own terms.

Here is how Bunchups helps you feel safer meeting people offline.

• Verified Profiles
  Everyone on the app needs to complete both a phone and a selfie check before onboarding. You know who you are talking to, and you are not left guessing if the person is real.

• Chat Option
  Once you join someone’s activity or they join yours, you can chat with them before meeting in person. Ask questions, share preferences, and notice how they respond. You lead the pace.

• Advanced Filters
  Use the app's filters to choose the location, activity type, time, date, group size, language preferences and a lot more. You have full control over who you meet, when and where.  

• One-on-one and Small Groups

Instead of getting overwhelmed by big groups, you can simply make one-on-one or small group plans with Bunchups. Hike with four other people on the local hiking trail or share a meal with one other person at your favourite restaurant.  

• No Endless Swipes and Scrolls
  This is not a profile-based app; this is an interest-led app. So, there are fewer chances of people faking who they are, or catfishing.  

• More Inclusive Design
  Accessibility, neurodivergent-friendly filters, and moderation tools are part of what we are working on. Because safety is not one-size-fits-all.

If the thought of meeting someone new in person still feels uncertain, that is okay. Bunchups is here to make that step a little easier.

‍

Takeaway: Meeting New People Safely Starts with You

There is no single rulebook on how to meet new people safely. What feels right will always depend on your comfort, your context, and your pace. But the more clearly you know what safety looks like for you and what signs to look for, the easier it becomes to move from hesitation to confidence.

Offline safety is not about being perfect or getting it right the first time. It is about taking small steps, paying attention to your instincts, and building trust slowly. You deserve to meet new people and build deep friendships without feeling like you have to shrink, rush, or pretend.

And if you are looking for a safer, low-pressure way to try it, Bunchups is here when you are.