A video call before the first face-to-face meeting can be worth its weight in gold - if you use it correctly. It helps both sides to get to know the person behind the profile: voice, facial expressions, conversational style - all of this can be assessed much better in a short video chat than in ten messages. At the same time, there are clear boundaries that you should be aware of, as a screen tempts some people to ask questions or make demands that would never be asked in a café. On sugardaddyDeutschlands, many members use the integrated video call to get an idea in advance - and to make sure that the person they are meeting is really the one they saw in the photos. Whether you are an experienced partner from Munich who wants to make sure before a dinner date in Stuttgart, or a young companion from Berlin who wants to better assess a new contact, this guide will show you how to make a video call safe, effective and enjoyable.
Stay safe
What personal information you should never disclose.
Prepare well
How to make the video call short, pleasant and effective.
Communicate correctly
Which topics are suitable - and which are better avoided.
Video call security
A video call is an excellent tool - but it requires the same caution as any other interaction with a new acquaintance. Before the first face-to-face meeting, do not reveal any details that would allow conclusions to be drawn about your exact location: no neighbourhood, no university address, no recognisable street in the background. The name of your employer or your private social media profiles should also be taboo for the time being - you can share all of this once you have met in person and built up trust. For messages outside the platform, we recommend messenger services that do not display your private phone number. And an absolute no-no: never open links that are sent to you during a video chat - no matter how harmless they look. In the worst case, it could be malware that reads personal data.
Equally important: During the call, do not show your home, garden or other rooms that give clues to your location or standard of living. A sugar daddy from Frankfurt who lives in a prestigious house should keep the background neutral - a bookshelf or a plain wall will do. And if someone asks for intimate pictures or video content before the first meeting, end the conversation immediately. There are specialised platforms for this on sugardaddydeutschlands.de - but there is no place for this on a platform that is geared towards real connections. You can find more tips on digital safety in our Safety guide for online dating.
Prepare the video call correctly
A good video call starts with the right preparation - and that doesn't mean standing in front of the mirror for hours on end. Read the other person's profile again carefully: What interests does he mention? What photos have they uploaded? What have they said in previous messages? These details will give you something to talk about that goes beyond the usual platitudes. If his profile shows a holiday in Portugal, you can ask about his favourite places. If he works in the financial sector, you can ask about his everyday life. Preparation shows interest - and interest is what distinguishes a good first conversation from a boring one.
Find a quiet place with a neutral background and good lighting. Natural light from the front is ideal; harsh ceiling light or a bright window behind you, on the other hand, are unfavourable. Keep the camera steady - a call from the gym or the street signals that you are not making an effort. Test your internet connection and the sound beforehand: Nothing interrupts a good conversation faster than technical problems. And plan a drink: a glass of wine or an espresso creates a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of a real meeting. A businessman from Düsseldorf or a companion from Hamburg - both will benefit if the video call feels like the start of a real evening, not a video conference.
Conduct the conversation correctly
Keep the call short and pleasant - twenty to thirty minutes is enough to make a first impression. An endless conversation takes the tension out of the face-to-face meeting, and an experienced partner who calls after work usually only has a limited time slot anyway. Be punctual: If you have agreed a time, stick to it. This signals reliability - a quality that is just as important in an arrangement as charm. And if the conversation goes so well that you both forget the time? Then that's the best reason to end the call and arrange a face-to-face meeting.
As far as topics of conversation are concerned: Stick to light, positive topics for the first video call - travelling, interests, current experiences, plans for the weekend. Avoid topics that weigh heavily: past relationships, financial problems, personal dramas. A sugar baby from Cologne who talks about her travel plans and favourite books during the first video chat is much more appealing than someone who immediately complains about money worries. You should make concrete agreements about support save for the personal meeting - details can be discussed better and more respectfully there. And don't forget: a video call is also your opportunity, Recognise a fake profile. Anyone who keeps finding excuses not to switch on the camera usually has something to hide.
After the call: the next steps
If the video call went well and both parties show interest, the next step is to meet in person - and in a timely manner, while the connection is still fresh. Sugar dating is ultimately about real encounters, and a video chat is just the bridge. Suggest a concrete meeting: dinner in a good restaurant in Vienna, an afternoon coffee in a hotel lobby in Munich, a walk along the Rhine in Cologne. Don't wait too long - if you only talk on the phone for weeks, you will lose the excitement and risk the face-to-face meeting not living up to your high expectations. If you're wondering, how to avoid misunderstandings from the outset, will realise that a successful video call is the best basis for this. And anyone who is unsure which Type of connection The person he is looking for can clarify this question in a face-to-face meeting - after the video call has shown that the chemistry is right.
Frequently asked questions
Twenty to thirty minutes is ideal. That's enough to make a good first impression without taking the tension out of the face-to-face meeting. If the conversation goes particularly well, this is the best reason to arrange a real meeting as soon as possible.
Avoid details that allow conclusions to be drawn about your exact place of residence: neighbourhood, university address, workplace, recognisable streets in the background. Do not open any links that are sent during the chat and never show your home or rooms that give clues to your location.
Beware of people who consistently refuse the video call, immediately ask for personal details, demand intimate content or send links during the chat. Messages from strangers on social networks claiming to be experienced partners are also almost always dubious.
It is better to discuss specific details of the agreement at a face-to-face meeting. The video call serves to get to know each other and to check whether the chemistry is right. For financial details, the real meeting is the more respectful setting.
