Online dating - how soon to meet?

7 Comments

When it comes to online dating, when is in your opinion the best time to meet in person? By the way, I would assume that by now everyone is street smart enough to be only meeting people they've met online in very public places and preferably for a short time.

I guess this would greatly depend on how important physical attraction is to someone, but let's assume it's important :)

So, is it better to meet someone ASAP, before strong feelings are developed, so if you don't like each other in person it can be called off with minimum hurt feelings.
Or, is it best to invest some time in chatting online, until you feel comfortable, and just take the risk of not liking each other in person?

ASAP 8
Not until you have had a chance to really get to know the person 14
Other 4
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Sog
    9 years ago

    ASAP.

    Waiting too long builds up too many expectations in your head. And then you're guaranteed to be let down.

    If your interest is held long enough to exchange a few messages with basic information, then it should be enough to go meet in person. If it weren't for the internet, you'd be exchanging numbers with a stranger at the bar based on EVEN LESS.

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  • Daytripper
    9 years ago

    ASAP. Meeting up with someone online is risky no matter how long you've been talking to them. Asking each other for SOME sort of proof of identity (photos of letters with your name/address, for example) can be helpful, but no amount of ~getting to know each other~ will totally rule out the possibility that they could murder you.

    So, assuming you're both normal people who are looking to date (and not murder each other), meet as quickly as possible. The longer you wait the more you're going to be let down. It's honestly impossible to know how you'll get on with somebody until you meet in real life.

    btw I'm basing this off of experience--my best friend met a guy in California after a few months of dating online, and they broke up as soon as he went home. Online they were perfect for each other, but in real life...the chemistry wasn't there.

    So the sooner the better, that way you don't end up so invested in someone that isn't right for you.

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  • golden_showers
    9 years ago

    meet them in a public place first to see if they're not a maniac.

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  • ilovetoiletrolls
    9 years ago

    Get to know them first. I'd say if they're long distance and less than a few hours away, you could get to know each other online for 2 weeks and then meet up. If they're close to you (an hour or less away), that you could meet up within a few days. But if it's long long distance like the other side of the US or another country, you need to give it a few months for obvious reasons.

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  • Aliceee93
    9 years ago

    It will be different for everyone. Like people who have never dated online to ones that have, and I think it depends and will happen when both are ready and only they know when that is :)

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  • TrustMeImLying
    9 years ago

    "I would assume that by now everyone is street smart enough to be only meeting people they've met online in very public places and preferably for a short time."

    LOL this makes me feel like I was so naive. How about meeting someone in the dark parking lot of their apartment complex and then going to their place for a few hours?

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  • zoffix
    9 years ago

    It depends on how much you're planning to invest in that gathering. If you just plan on going out for a quick cup of coffee, why wait? Do it ASAP. Why waste time chatting online, if you say you care much about attraction in person.

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