I've been talking to this girl from Match.com for a few weeks now on AIM and on the phone, and tomorrow night we're meeting for the first time in real life.

I'm keeping it to a short and casual dinner after we both get off work.

Any advice?

I've never done this before and I'm kinda skeptical. But for those of you who know me on these boards, I think this is good for me to learn how to be chill about these things and not have any expectations. Just kinda get to know someone, plain and simple.

The wierd thing about online dating is that you know alot of stuff about each other without ever having interacted in the simple ways. I dunno how this will play out.

If any of you have had experience with this, PLEASE POST!!!!!

Allheart

Hi Pat,

Oh, go and have fun tomorrow. The great thing is, as you said, you know a lot about each other already, and you didn't have to suffer through that beginning awkard stuff "oh what do I say now" kind of thing.

I have had friends who have gone this route, and I think it is so much better than the bar scene. Some had great success and some others, well, they just didn't connect. I do know of a couple that met this way, and will be getting married in August.

Anyway, just go and have fun, try and relax and get to know this new friend a little better. We can always use friends in our lives and the two of you must be comfortable enough, based on the things you shared so far, so the worst that could happen is that you met a new friend, and that is not a bad thing at all, it's actually a very good thing.

Go and have a great time! And let us know how it went

Jesushelper76

Yes, Just have fun... Enjoy your outing together. My wifes cousin actually had an online boyfriend from another country they eventually met, got married and now they are living together. Getting a head of things now, but you get the point. Things have a way of working out if they are meant to be.

I agree with allheart, that the online dating is a lot better then the bar scene.

So no expectations. Be casual and just be yourself and have fun.

Let us know how your date went.

Joe

PatBateman

Thanks Allheart.

Is/Are there any things I need to be careful/aware of? I mean, as long as the girl I meet doesn't turn out to be a hulking 6'7 400 pound man I should be OK, right? LOL...you know what I mean?

Jesushelper76

LoL

Now your letting your imagination is in overdrive. Imagine if it looks like a women, but has male anotomy.

Okay, I am just joking.

Believe me, your meeting in a public place. You will be fine. I do not think you have anything to worry about.

My motto and I believe Allheart would say the same, is RELAX.

Joe

Allheart

Had to spread the love joe, but yes relax !!!

LOL, well yes, please run the other way if it is a 6'7 400 pound man. Run fast and do not turn around to see how closely he is following you.

did you not exchange pictures?

I promise you, this is going to be an enjoyable evening. I am excited for you. It's a night out, with somone you both obviously have similar interest, so deep breath and bring your running shoes. hee hee.

PatBateman

Oh no! You just put a horrible image in my head! LOL!!!!

We did exchange numerous pictures, so it's very clear to me what she looks at. Not just pictures at decieiving angles, but plain photos with friends, by ourselves, etc.

She left me a message and I must have listened to it 3 times to make sure it was an actual female's voice...yes, I am being very paranoid about this online thing...ahha.

I'll try and have fun and do my best not to think that there's something wrong with her or she's out to get me. Hell, I'm doing the same thing and she's prob afriad of me too!

Thanks for the advice guys...I'll keep this updated.

More comments are welcome too.

Fr_Chuck

I dated many girls I meet online when I started dating again about 10 years ago.

I meet alot of great ladies, and alot of stange ones,
One was a great lady but after three or four real life dates she started planning my life and carrerr ( she had the connections to do it)

One was a self proclaimed witch and told me she had a spell on me so I could not break up with her

One , well let me say police handcuffs have all sorts of purposes in her mind

One had a girlfriend also that she let me meet after two or three dates.

One started talking marriage on first date

A few must have thought I was strange since we never dated again after the first meeting)

And a couple who most certainly did not look like thier photos by about 200 lbs.

But I did meet a wonderful lady about 6 hour drive away from me at the time and we got married and have been for about 8 years now.

Alot of it is how much and how honest each person is when they are chatting online.

Next of course on the womens side, I understand about 1/2 of the men they talk to end up being really married.

talaniman

Relax and have fun, thats what your doing this for isn't it. Keep us updated and if she is a 400lb man be honest if you really like her/him. Thats where the good advice will come in handy.

Pagan_soul

I agree with all the other posters. Just have fun!
Are you worried that she's not going to be who she says she is?
I've met up with people I found online, people who I thought I knew really well, and it hurt when I realised they wern't nearly as friendly as they had made out.
The majority, though, have been really great to get to know in person. It was just the odd few that wern't.
Best of luck!