Before you confirm
- Agree what the booking is: the activity, the length, and the pace
- Confirm the costs — his fee, activity expenses, travel — so nothing is negotiated on the day
- Say in advance what you would rather not talk about
- Choose a public, comfortable venue: a cafe, a restaurant, a hotel lounge, a park, or the event itself
On the day
- Tell a friend where you are going and roughly when you expect to be back
- Arrange your own travel there and back, so leaving is always simple
- Keep booking messages in the agency channel rather than a private account
- Give yourself an easy first meeting — a coffee is a better test than a whole evening
What good feels like
He arrives on time, is easy to talk to, checks what you would enjoy rather than steering, and takes a change of plan gracefully. Nothing feels like a performance, and nothing is being sold to you.
You should finish the meeting knowing more about whether you would book again — not feeling you have to.
Stopping is always available
Either side may end the experience if comfort is broken, and you do not owe a reason. Tell the team afterwards: the account of what actually happened is what keeps the next booking safe for someone else.
Frequently asked questions
Does the first meeting have to be in public?
It is strongly recommended, and it is the norm here — cafes, restaurants, hotel lounges, parks and event venues all work well.
Should I tell someone where I am going?
Yes. Share the venue and rough timing with a friend. It costs nothing and it is the single most useful habit on this list.
What if I want to leave early?
Then leave. Either side can end a booking when comfort is broken, and no explanation is required.