Okay guys, we need to talk about something that makes everyone uncomfortable, including me. But I’m gonna say it anyway because someone has to.
Safety in this industry isn’t what you think it is. And I’m not talking about some corporate HR manual version of “safety” – I’m talking about the real, messy, sometimes scary stuff that keeps me up at night and makes my mom worry about me constantly.
That Time I Almost Walked Into a Bad Situation
Last month, I almost made a really stupid mistake. Got a text from someone wanting to meet, seemed normal enough, but something felt… off. Can’t even explain what it was. Maybe the way he kept pushing to meet at his place instead of a hotel. Maybe how he got weird when I asked basic screening questions.
My gut was screaming at me to cancel, but honestly? The money was good and I had rent due. Thank god my friend Maya texted me right before I was about to leave. She reminded me of our rule – when something feels wrong, it IS wrong. Period.
I cancelled that appointment, and two days later I found out through our group chat that this same guy had been messaging girls all over the city with increasingly aggressive language. Dodged a bullet? Yeah, probably.
The Screening Game Nobody Talks About
Here’s something most people don’t realize – we have our own background check system, and it’s probably more thorough than whatever your job did when they hired you.
Before I meet anyone, I’m doing detective work that would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Real name, workplace verification, cross-referencing with bad client lists, reverse image searches on photos, checking social media profiles. It’s exhausting, but it’s literally life-saving.
The good clients understand this and actually appreciate it because they want to work with someone professional. The sketchy ones? They get mad about basic questions and that tells me everything I need to know.
I remember this one guy got so angry when I asked for his LinkedIn profile to verify his job. Started yelling about privacy and how I should just trust him. Uh, no sir. If you won’t give me basic info to feel safe, then we’re not meeting. Simple as that.
The Buddy System Actually Works
You know how in elementary school they taught us about the buddy system? Turns out that’s not just for field trips. Most of us have check-in systems with each other that would make military ops jealous.
Before every appointment, I text my safety girl – usually Maya or my friend Priya – with all the details. Where I’m going, when I’m supposed to be back, client description, everything. If they don’t hear from me by a certain time, they know to start making calls.
Last week Maya’s check-in time passed and she didn’t respond. I’m talking full panic mode – calling, texting, even drove by the hotel. Turns out she was having such a good conversation with her client that time got away from her, but man, those twenty minutes of not knowing were terrifying.
We were both annoyed and relieved at the same time. Annoyed because panic sucks, relieved because it meant our system actually works and we care about each other.
Hotels Aren’t All Created Equal
This might sound weird, but I’ve become a hotel expert purely for safety reasons. Some hotels are amazing – good security, discreet staff who mind their own business, safe neighborhoods, well-lit parking. Others are sketchy as hell and make me feel unsafe before I even walk through the door.
I’ve learned to spot the difference. Good hotels have actual security cameras that work, not fake ones. They have staff at the front desk 24/7. The elevators require key cards to access floors. The hallways are well-lit and don’t echo like horror movie sets.
The sketchy ones? No security, half the lights are burned out, you can hear everything through the walls, and the front desk person looks like they’d sell your room number for a twenty-dollar bill.
It’s sad that I have to think about stuff like this, but it’s reality. And honestly, learning to read these signs has probably kept me safe in regular life too.
The Apps and Tech That Keep Us Alive
Technology is both a blessing and a curse in this work. On one hand, there are apps that can send your location to emergency contacts with one button press. GPS tracking that lets your safety person know exactly where you are. Panic buttons disguised as normal phone functions.
On the other hand, technology also makes it easier for dangerous people to find us and harder to screen them properly since anyone can fake an online presence these days.
I’ve got this whole setup on my phone that most people would think is overkill, but it makes me feel more in control. Location sharing, voice memos that automatically back up to the cloud, contacts programmed for emergency situations. It’s like having a security team in my pocket.
When Things Go Wrong Anyway
Despite all the precautions, sometimes situations still go sideways. Not gonna lie – it’s happened to me. Not the worst-case scenarios you’re probably imagining, but situations where I had to think fast and get out quickly.
The important thing I learned is having an exit strategy for every situation. Always have your own transportation. Always tell someone where you are. Always trust your instincts, even when it costs you money.
And if something does happen? We take care of each other. This community might not be perfect, but when someone gets hurt or scared, we rally around them like family.
Why I Still Do This Despite Everything
People always ask me this, usually with this look of pity or confusion. Why do something that requires this much safety planning?
Here’s the thing – every job has risks. Construction workers wear hard hats. Office workers deal with sexual harassment from bosses. Retail workers face angry customers and robbery attempts. The difference is, in this work, we’re more honest about the risks and more proactive about managing them.
Plus, despite all the safety stuff I have to think about, I genuinely love the flexibility and independence this work gives me. I’m saving for school, I’m learning about business and people, and I’m in control of my own schedule and income in a way most 23-year-olds never get to experience.
Just wish it didn’t require a master’s degree in personal security to do safely.
Stay smart out there, everyone.
Julia
If you or someone you know needs help with safety resources or is in a dangerous situation, please reach out to local support organizations or emergency services.