Choose a recognisable public venue with staff, lighting, transport options, and enough activity to feel safe. Avoid remote trails, private homes, and long drives together for a first meeting.
What matters in practice
A good venue supports a sixty-to-ninety-minute plan with an optional extension nearby. Coffee can become a walk; a market can become lunch.
Check accessibility, noise, parking, and alcohol expectations. Thoughtful logistics communicate respect before the conversation begins.