No one is safe from the possibility of a bad date. Regardless of where you met, be it on Tinder or through a mutual friend, you can never be too cautious. It can either go from White Chicks level of bad or as horrid as dinner with Hannibal Lecter.
Okay, the last example is a clear exaggeration, but you get the point.
None of us want to be subjected to this kind of embarrassment and fear during a night out. Solution? Just a few taps on your phone and befriending the bartender. Some of these may not be common here yet, so this our way of nudging people to do something.
Bad Date Rescue
This nifty app lets you set a timer so you can receive a fake call to cut off your date. It can be as soon as three seconds or five minutes. You can use this if your best friend can’t call to save you that evening. Available in the Apple Store.
Tickle
Similar to Bad Date Rescue, Tickle also sends a phone call to save you from any situation. But instead of setting a time, all you need to do is shake or touch your phone in an awkward manner and you will instantly get a call. It’s not available just yet but they have a waiting list on their website so you can get notified when it’s up on the Apple Store.
Speed Dial
This isn’t exactly an anti-bad date app as Speed Dial is helpful even for work and family purposes. But in case of a date emergency, it’s always best to have someone on speed dial for a quick save. What the app does is create columns on your screen and you can place whichever contact you want on each. Available in the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
Angel Shots
https://twitter.com/ItsSteephh/status/818283957464670210
A restaurant in Florida started offering “angel shots” to women to help them escape a bad date. This “shot” is actually a code for bartenders to intervene. If you order it “neat,” the bartender will escort you to your car; “on the rocks,” the bartender will call you a cab or an Uber; and “with lime” will alert them to call the police. So far, no one has ordered an angel shot yet in the restaurant, but still, it’s a helpful tactic for any bar or resto across the globe.
Looking for Angela or Rachelle
https://twitter.com/iizzzzzi/status/788387942242914305
The angel shot was inspired by a sign in the London which prompted women to “look for Angela” at the bar if their date goes awry. Meanwhile, another establishment in England prompts them to “look for Rachelle or Jennifer.” Both of these will alert bartenders to take you to your car or call you a cab. Again, this will work for any establishment, and bar and restaurant owners can even use a different name to their liking. Or you can also think of a code with your friend inspired by this.
Boy Bye Bot
I found this ingenious idea on Dazed, and it’s basically a text bot that’ll send snarky replies to anyone. For example, if someone asks for your number at a bar or on Tinder and you find him sketchy, you give him the number that’s connected to the bot. The replies will range from crazy texts to random Jezebel links. It’ll even encourage the person to donate to Planned Parenthood. If you don’t believe us, there’s a whole archive on Boy Bye Bot’s site.
This is currently only available in the US so if you’re based there or planning to fly there soon, you better keep this handy. Or you know, make a number for international use.
Intelius
Nervous about your upcoming date? Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to do a background check. Intelius allows users to look up a person’s available data like where they work and graduated just by typing their name or number. (Police records aren’t included, sadly.) This app, however, only offers unlimited service for two days and you must get a monthly subscription for $9.99 to continue using it. But hey, it’s quite helpful. Available in Apple Store and Google Play Store.
Screencap from Sex and the City
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