Well, yeah, Amy, but it's her phone number. Maybe she's gun shy because she's given it out before with bad results. I think email should be okay to use for making arrangements to meet first; if they like each other, then she can give him her number. If not, no harm, no foul, no number. Call it self-(p)reservation, maybe.

Buy a $5 cell phone and a $10 prepay card at Target.

(Everything I needed to know about cell phone I learned by watching The Wire.)

I recently had a similar conversation with my sister, but she thought phone calls were really important. I fall more on the side of the poster. I want to interact on my timeline rather than with a phone conversation unless I'm stepping up the relationship. There is no wrong or right - just different styles and ways of "being." I think that each person should embrace their own style. Why compromise when you haven't even met a person yet? It is so much easier when two people just naturally see things the same way. Save the compromises for a real relationship.

I think it is import because what if:
1. one of you gets lost
2. stuck in traffic
3. mis-communications

Hear is what I am thinking, many years ago I had a first date lined up. We are to meet by this big display outside the restaurant. I get to the meeting spot maybe 2 minutes early. I wait around, it is 10 minutes after now. I think I am being stood up but deciede to call on my cell...I can't find her number...she had called me with a blocked number. At about 15 minutes past she calls...she is at our meeting spot! The display is also on the inside of the restaurant...we are about 10 ft apart but on opposite sides of a wall.

No. Do not give out your number. If you must give out your number, then get a separate phone for your dating.

The last thing you need is someone who ends up liking you, who you end up not liking, with your phone number. Not because he might be psycho, but because he is likely to be annoying.

2 or 3 email exchanges, max, then something low-key like coffee.

@TJIC: "Buy a $5 cell phone and a $10 prepay card at Target."

Agree with TJIC and NicoleK -- that sounds like a good idea. Couple the dedicated cell phone with an e-mail account that's used for nothing but on-line dating, and LW should remain fairly secure while retaining the ability to communicate freely.

Or get a Google Voice number. You can have all your calls routed to the phone you have and just get a new number or block the guy's number if things get weird.

It's funny because I'm the exact opposite of LW--I wouldn't feel comfortable meeting up with someone that I hadn't talked to on the phone or at least texted with before. That seems like the logical step before taking the time to meet up in person, and if a guy wouldn't give me his number that would feel like a red flag. And if we haven't spoken on the phone then chances are we haven't had enough of a connection that I'd feel compelled to meet him--much easier just to click delete and move onto someone less paranoid/sketchy.

So I guess it's just a matter of personal preference, but objectively speaking you're always going to be *safer* over the phone than in a face to face setting, and it's just an additional measure to help confirm that the person you're going to meet up with is who they say they are. I don't think men are as likely to have the safety concerns that women do, but I'll bet that LW's is still sending up some red flags for one reason or another.

I agree with Monica. Google Voice is the best choice.

If the guy wouldn't give me his number -after- we met and decided we wanted a second date, yeah, I'd assume he was married.

Why not use Skype for video chats instead of calling? Then you get to talk in person, see what the other person REALLY looks like (in case the person posted misleading photos), and see their body language as well.

I like talking on the phone prior to meeting. At least that way you can see if the guy can carry on a conversation. I always got the guy's number, they usually seem OK with that. You can tell if there's an easy flow of communication over the phone too, so it really eliminates wasting your time meeting in person, if that's not there.

Try the dating service!

I wish this site would recognize my login! But anyway... Is phone or meeting THAT important? Do you want to get there first in a large Dark Knight cap, so you can sneak off into the shadows do that he won't have go through the story AGAIN about that 12" scar on his cheek. Alterntively, cape, sneaking around, only you're seeing if this guy isin your league. Cue fleeing scene once again.

Call me crazy, but this is using your computer like that annoying friend who would go act as "the go between" just to make be really, REALLY '& TRULY awesome befriend (insert squeal)

My point is - grow up. Unless you're going to court martialed for simply drink a martini, by an admiral, or the heads of the NSA Secret Service, FBI, or CIA, you're fine.

When I was online, a buddy offline that trusted, I always made sure to tell them where I was going and made sure to call someone and if I didn't, they would try me first a
And If they couldn't get me after sever tries, hey called the police.

A

Ps. Also, you are to have to learn find a pair of people who caught your interest , and just sound like fun. Don't always skip the person you think you like. Do t be afraid of you phone. Its a meter to gauge with easily, but help you ring out more qualified dates

PPS. Now that you have number thing in my head, it was of little to importantace me or the other person. Sometimes i completely Fubared the date. Others have broke friends, but when it became clear that we weren't a match, so I threw the number away. Pretty clear the other people did, I never heard from them again.

PPPS. In the interest of full disclosure, I married my spouse after meeting only.

Uh oh Amy...not leaving the house for dates anymore? That sounds a little co-habitational ;)

"We're on the end of Season 4. I'm addicted."

I just liked you a little bit more, Amy.

"Uh-oh...that's the posture of a man with human remains in his freezer."

Priceless!