This thread inspired me to ask a few more questions:

When do you exchange numbers?

http://mingle2.com/topic/show/213401

With the answers coming up ..... I have a question now.

If someone never gives their number out or it takes months to years before that happens, how do you guys date?

Isn't the point of internet dating to creat a catalyst for finding the person and then translate that into real dating?

How many times do you a date a week?

How many of those dates are from online sources vs. meeting them in face-to-face situations?

Here are my stats:

1 - I meet and date gentlemen from the internet within two months of making contact. I never allow them to pick me up at my home. I meet them for at least two months, and I ask to meet them at their office for lunch to verify they work were they say they work, and I indulge that for them too before they know where I live.

2 - I date about three to four times a week. I don't have a sexual relationship with anyone until there are boundaries in place (safe sex, not right away, etc).

3 - I'd say half and half in terms of meeting a guy face-to-face vs. meeting online.

All of the guys I date are 'friend' status and I never claim they are the only one. I have a longevity of dating before I decide to become exclusive with someone; however, if one particular person strikes me as so amazing -- I would focus on knowing him as priority and scale back on meeting new guys or having too many guys in the mix.

I really like dating. I like meeting for lunch, hanging out at the drag races, playing pool, going wine tasting, etc. I guess I have more friends than romantic partners.

I enjoy having female friends, I'm not really concerned with dating now.

This should be four threads not one. Too many questions. Besides, you make it sound like an exact science. It ain't.

After I typed my post and worked out my thoughts, I feel this is me too!

i'm still waiting on a plane ticket

Sorry ... I guess you don't have to read it or participate then. I assumed we are all capable of answering multi layered questions and topics.

When it happens, it happens, I'm just comfortable the way I am

I'm capable, but it still seems a bit much. I will not. No worries.

When do you exchange numbers? -- I almost never do anymore. Only two people from this site have my phone number, and they are both very far away. Assuming I started communicating with someone local (which is never going to happen), it would still be awhile before I would give out my number.

If someone never gives their number out or it takes months to years before that happens, how do you guys date? -- I really don't. Haven't done anything of the sort since August, and that was even dating -- that was (in my mind anyway) a committed, ongoing relationship.

Isn't the point of internet dating to creat a catalyst for finding the person and then translate that into real dating? -- Yes, but things have a tendency to evolve in such a way that they end up being used for something other than that which was originally intended. I don't see any real possibility of finding anyone here who is actually serious about a relationship.

How many times do you a date a week? -- None.

How many of those dates are from online sources vs. meeting them in face-to-face situations? -- I have met nine people from dating sites, and eight of them were disasters of cataclysmic proportions.
I have yet to see anything that makes me believe those numbers are going to improve.

I have no set rules I decided I would prefer a friends first relationshipif i give my number out that means i really like the person

There are 5 here that have my phone #

That's a great way to be!

Oh, I think I got your number too Pats!

Seriously, it's a football thing. Just wait until this season. Be prepared for a little sh*t talkling!

There are at about 20 or 25 online people who have my phone number(s), or at least they HAD it at some point. Whether or not they still do (for various reasons) is anybody's guess. Naturally, the reverse goes for me, as well.

Of course, for me, it ain't about dating. It's about friendship.

Of the nine people I met from dating sites, the range of time between first on-line contact and first face-to-face meeting ranged from two weeks to almost a year.

The two weeks person turned out to be the arsonist.

The almost a year person turned out to be the best girlfriend I ever had -- and she only lived about 20 minutes away from me.

I'm not saying there's a correlation between length of prep time and success/failure of the relationship. I don't have anything like a statistically significant sampling to base that on.

What I will say is that my gut feeling is it's a bad idea to ever rush into anything. You might just find yourself in a hotel room with an arsonist.

But what works for you Melody, does not work for everyone here. And gee go look in the mirror.. Guys probably are falling all over you for a date . You could pick and choose. Some of us are not that lucky... well maybe 25 years ago I would of said the same thing as you have. But now? its about a whole different outlook.

I definately know what works for me isn't for everyone. That's why I asked the question.

I am a very curious person by nature -- multi dimensional in the way I think -- and process information which is why my topic is layered within a topic.

I've grown found of this site and the members; therefore my curiosity is stronger too.

BTW, thank you for the compliment (if you meant that as such). I don't think anyone is falling over themselves to date me as mush as I tend to be aggressive.