What’s the difference between meeting someone from online at their home vs in a public place when you never really know anyone anyways?

[Anonymous]

Like say I meet a guy from online at his house, the first date is at his house. People say this is unsafe and he could be a murderer and it’s best to meet in a public place first. But really, a murderer could put on an act and be super charming while out in public for a first date, and then if you go back to his place after because apparently that’s more safe, he could still flip the switch and kill you. Does it even matter where you meet for the first time for a date as long as you know they’re who they say they are online? (Background checks, verify their social media accounts).

[Kurαȷ]

"as long as you know they’re who they say they are online?"

That's not at all important in most cases.
What's important is knowing how that person is going to act, and you can't know that until you interact with that person.

"What they may do in the future" is not the primary concern people have.
People are concerned about the more realistic scenarios such as:
What if that guy is expecting sex because you "gave him that impression" and when you turn him down he is going to turn violent?
What if something turns you off/makes you uncomfortable and you will choose to end the date, but the guy will get angry and, again, potentially turn violent?

Those are the concerns.

[20yearsolder]

You are absolutely correct but when you are out in public, if something does go down you have a better chance of getting away.