I agree with Mendi.

The pundits suggest only a few emails. If there is a connection you need to progress to a phone conversation. Ideally, this conversation should not last more than 10-15 minutes no matter how well you get along. Save something to talk about when you meet!

At that time you can plan a casual "meet", ie: coffee, lunch, a walk in the park. If either one of you is uncomfortable you can move on. Some people might prefer a second conversation before meeting.

Too many people can tell you about a great email and/or phone connection that fell flat when they finally met in person. What's wrong with actually meeting in the RW and if you like each other you can continue getting to know one another at the speed that's best for you?

I do hate all those bodies littering the place up...

Somebody better alert Torisdad!

Again, the problem many have is letting technology dictate their behavior.

There are no rules about if it's too early to speak over the phone especially when there's *67. There shouldn't be any rules concerning length of conversation etc., and no rules about meeting someone too soon. Life is a risk no matter how short or long one takes to speak and meet with someone, PROVIDED THAT THERE IS RAPPORT.

There have been times I spoke, and met with a lady the same day. I'd rather get it out the way and achieve far more dates since the internet age than the avg person utilizing my strategy of moving to phone and meet. I date offline not online. I can eliminate potentials via their email or phone conversation before a date is established by simply listening etc... Many get too caught up in this internet let's wait and see b4 "we" meet. Realistically, one really doesn't know someone online. You learn a little bit about their representation and what they want you to know via "typed words" but that's it!!! It pales in comparison of actually speaking to the person and meeting.

Too, there have been many a time that some people "think" just because they hold off until meeting and talking for about a month, things will go smoothly, NOT NECESSARILY. Waiting could have it's disadvantages via "online dating sites" BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE THEY ARE COMMUNICATING FOR 1,2,3,4+ WEEKS. They are talking to other people and even going out on dates while you two play email/chat ping pong before talking and meeting. OF COURSE THERE ARE exceptions to every rule. That's why people are so disappointed in "wasting" their time online b4 the first meet or phone conversation and find out that the person is not remotely the person they projected him/herself online.

That's why I always recommend going with the flow if it feels good and have good rapport to take it to the phone and meet. B4 internet, that's what people did. AGain, technology has taken over.

Of course it would be ridiculous to move forward with someone ya don't even have rapport in the first place.

Whether someone moves forward sooner or later, there's always risk. But more importantly, many people make bad selections regardless if they move sooner or later.

@tanz- Maybe you've been on this thing too long. I'm new. Nice to meet you, too. and while i appreciate your post, I'm not gonna searching 500+ forum topics from the dark ages for a question that is on my mind TODAY. I've read your posts: do you ever have anything nice to say-EVER? Must've hit a nerve.

Hello out there fellow DHers, I pose this question to you. What is up with the microwave dating on this site? You chat with someone online and before the popcorn is done, they're already planning your first date? I say, ?! i thought the whole point was to get to know someone. That way you're not the poster-child for Einstein's insanity theory?

I know that there a two sides to that coin, but since I've been reading these forums, all I've seen is "woe is me, I've been on 1000 dates from this site and i still haven't found Mr(s)Right" .(sorry for the hyperbole, but you get my point) Am I wrong to want the conversation and the coffee to percolate at the same time? Or trust that your level of crazy is complementary to my own? or maybe i would like to hear your voice before i meet you. i just wanna see if you're a heavy-breathing sociopath. Is that so hard? ok, people, that's my rant. let's see what kind of raves i get.

I finally gave up, Matt...

My picture is in your mailbox...

I hope you like it...