Recently, some unsettling news has shaken our East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) community in the UK. It was reported that Zhenhao Zou - a Chinese PHD student had drugged and raped dozens of women. Many were from China, and felt that they couldn’t come forward.
What this tells us is that immigrant groups often avoid reporting crimes, and prefer to keep a low profile, even when faced with distressing situations. At Maccha, we hope to give our community the guidance, support and strength to feel like they can speak up.
First and foremost, we wanted to provide a guide on how to ensure your safety. This is Maccha’s priority. Whilst many may seem obvious, we felt it was relevant in today’s world to reemphasise these safety guides.
Why This Guide Matters
Let’s be honest. Meeting new people, whether romantically or platonically, can be fun, exciting, and magical. But it can also be risky, especially when alcohol, strangers, and unfamiliar places are involved.
The pressure is often higher for women, and even more so for ESEA women in the UK, who may already be dealing with stereotypes, racialised harassment, or the fear of being taken advantage of.
You deserve better. You deserve fun, connection, and adventure without fear. And that's exactly what this guide is for.
The Golden Rules for Staying Safe When Dining Out or Meeting New People
1. Never Accept a Drink from a Stranger (Seriously, Just Don’t)
It’s 2025, and unfortunately, drink-spiking is still a thing. It doesn't matter if they seem sweet, charming, or like the main character in a K-drama. Never accept an open drink from someone you don't fully trust.
Better yet? Watch your drink like it's the last boba on Earth.
If you’re at a bar or restaurant, always order directly from the staff and keep your drink with you at all times.
2. Stay Sober (or Close to Sober) Around New People
Look, no one’s saying you can't have a cocktail or two. But if you’re around new people or in unfamiliar places, it’s safer to keep your wits about you.
The less intoxicated you are, the better you can read the room, sense red flags, and make clear-headed decisions.
And honestly, it’s easier to vibe-check someone when you’re not tipsy.
3. Don’t Go Back to a Stranger's Apartment (No Matter How Cute They Are)
We know, we know. Sometimes, the chemistry is a chef’s kiss. But when you’re meeting someone for the first time (or even the second or third), avoid private settings like their flat or yours.
Opt for public spaces with people around. Cafés, parks, or restaurants are much safer for getting to know someone without putting yourself in a vulnerable position.
If they respect you, they’ll respect this boundary.
4. If Something Feels Off, It Probably Is — Listen to Your Gut
Your instincts are smarter than you think.
If someone is making you uncomfortable or if something just feels off, you’re allowed to remove yourself from the situation immediately. No explanations are needed.
Find a staff member, call a friend, or pretend you’re late for something. Whatever you need to do, just prioritise your safety.
And no, you’re not being dramatic. You’re being smart.
5. Always Let Someone Know Where You Are
Before heading out, share your location with a trusted friend or family member or even a group chat. There are plenty of apps and built-in smartphone features for this.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s just having a safety net. The people who care about you will want to know you’re okay.
6. Be Loud About Boundaries and Unapologetic About Them
It’s hot to have boundaries. Like, seriously. Suppose someone doesn’t respect your pace, your vibe, or your decisions; block and bounce.
Maccha allows you to report or unmatch with people who cross the line because you deserve a space where your safety and dignity aren’t up for debate.
Dating should be fun, flirty, and fulfilling, not stressful or scary.
7. Build a Safety Circle
Find two or three people who get it—your ride-or-dies. Your “text me when you get home” crew. Create a little group chat just for check-ins on date nights or solo hangouts.
Want to take it up a notch? Share a safe word. Something random like “pineapple” that means “Help. Call me with an excuse to leave now.”
Having a support system you can lean on makes all the difference.
8. Book Your Own Ride Always
We know it’s tempting to let someone “nice” book your cab home. But unless it’s your mum or your bestie, you should be the one calling the Uber or Bolt.
Why? Because it keeps you in control of your route, your driver, and your safety.
Never get in a car with someone you barely know. Even if they offer and say, “It’s on me.”
Your independence is sexy. Your safety is priceless.
9. Meet in Public, Not Just ‘Public-ish.’
A dim-lit bar tucked away down a side alley doesn’t count as public. Neither does “his mate’s rooftop flat.”
For first-time meetups, always pick a well-lit, busy, and staff-filled place—think cafes, restaurants, or cute brunch spots with lots of people around.
If they’re serious about meeting you, they’ll respect a public location. If they whine about it? That’s your red flag wrapped in red neon lights.
10. Know Your Exits (Because You’re No Amateur)
The moment you enter any venue, clock the exits. Know where the doors are, where the staff hang out, and what your path out looks like if you need to leave in a hurry.
It’s a low-key move that can make a huge difference if things take a turn.
Think of it like scanning for escape routes in a bad Tinder convo but IRL.
You’re not paranoid. You’re a pro.
Bonus Tip: Trust Other Women
There’s a quiet, unspoken sisterhood when it comes to women's safety.
If you’re ever feeling unsafe, don’t hesitate to reach out to another woman nearby, whether it's a fellow diner, a bartender, or even a stranger.
You’d be surprised how often women will have your back.
How Maccha Helps You Stay Safe (Because We Got You, Babe)
Maccha isn’t just another dating or community app.
We’re the best alternative to mainstream dating apps because we put the ESEA community’s safety and well-being at the heart of everything we do.
And because we know how real these safety concerns are, we’ve added something special to our app.
Meet Maccha’s SOS Feature, your pocket guardian angel.
Imagine you’re on a date, and something feels off. Maybe it’s just your gut, or maybe the situation is escalating. Either way, you need help fast, discreetly, and without causing a scene.
With just a few taps, Maccha’s SOS feature can:
Alert your trusted contacts.
Share your real-time location.
Get you the support you need ASAP.
All within seconds. No fumbling. No awkwardness. Just safety.
It’s designed exactly for moments when you need backup but don’t want to draw attention to yourself. And yes, it works even if you meet your date outside Maccha. We care about you, not just the app.
Why ESEA Women Trust Maccha for Safer Connections
When you’re scrolling through the top East Asian dating platforms in the UK, you’ll notice Maccha is different.
We’re not just about matches and swipes. We’re about community. It is about creating a space where you can meet people who understand you culturally, socially, and emotionally while also giving you the tools to feel safe every step of the way.
Maccha is a community-based dating app for Asians that prioritises meaningful connections, not superficial ones.
No more worrying about whether someone is fetishising you, misunderstanding your background, or worse, taking advantage of your kindness.
What Makes Maccha the Best Choice?
A Safe Space: For British Chinese singles, East Asian singles, and the wider ESEA community.
Authentic Matches: Based on shared values and genuine interests.
Advanced Safety Tools: Including the SOS feature.
Respect-First Culture: We actively moderate and educate users about safe dating and community respect.
Real-World Impact: We host events, build resources, and work with local organisations to make sure our community thrives offline, too.
Whether you’re looking for friendships, love, or just good company, you deserve to feel safe doing it.
Wrapping Up
Dating and meeting new people shouldn't be scary. They should be fun.
We can control how we get ready, protect ourselves, and watch out for one another, even though we can't control everything that happens in the world.
The recent event is a sad warning that we need to be careful, but it's also a call for us to support each other, lean on our community, and expect better.
We can make sure you never have to choose between safety and connection here at Maccha.
Don't forget that you have us by your side the whole time. Be smart and stay safe.
