Ever dated someone that was just too creepy? Maybe they took your relationship too seriously far too fast. Or perhaps they just wouldn't go away after you broke up with them, like this person's experience. Maybe they played mind games with you, and then alternatively begged you to come over and then pushed you away.

Whatever your personal story, the creepy folks can not only make you feel paranoid, they can border on becoming stalkers. It's important to protect yourself against individuals that don't have your best interests at heart.

It's our nature to want to understand people and be nice to them. But some folks mean nothing good for our lives, and the nicer you are to them the more they end up either hurting or scaring you.

If you come across a date that creeps you out, get some distance. If they email you repeatedly, don't email them back to tell them to stop. Just ignore them. If they call you repeatedly leaving messages on your answering machine, change your number. Never pick up to tell them to stop, because in their mind then they still succeeded. If they send you items, make a note of it and then throw the items away. Keep your note of the things they do and if their behavior escalates, you may need to call the police.

Don't be afraid to date. Just be smart about it and protect yourself.