Meeting people off the net? weird or good?

gogojojo123 · 27-04-2003, 19:18

i know someone who keeps going 2 meet pple off the net and i don't know how she does it because all those ads have really made me feel a bit dodgy bout it! Has ne1 eva found ne1 dodgy cos i no my friend has found a few!! :shock: :shock: i think its awful!

John · 27-04-2003, 20:01

I have a male friend who had met 30 different people in this way.

I had an oppotunty to meet one of his female friend he met from the web and I asked her how many had she met off the net and she said around 20 and she had not had a single problem when I enquired.

I think that there is about very small amount of people on the net who spoil what is an effective way to meet people.

I have never met anyone off the net myself as I do not have time to chat 1-to-1 on some chat program these days.

EDIT:
Met quite a few people now since this was posted

Moon Maiden · 28-04-2003, 08:21

I have met around 10 people off the net.....one of them being my husband.

It is a simple case of taking precautions. I told my friends and family, when and where I would be meeting him, had my mobile with me. We met in a public place and there ya go.
The same has applied with the others too. I have met some people from this forum too now.

I know of meetings gone bad, but none ending too tragicly. It is a wonderful way of meeting people, and if I hadn't taken that risk in meeting my husband in person I wouldn't have been married for the last 3 years nor have a gorgeous daughter either.

Moon Maiden

Classic Rock · 28-04-2003, 12:42

What are the best websites, etc to visit to meet genuine people on the net?

Sidla · 28-04-2003, 15:07

I think it's really bizarre. I also post at 'chrismoyles.net' and I know some of the people there really well, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to meet them in real life. Having said that, I'm not a very sociable person at the best of times, and I always feel uncomfortable around people I've never met. I think most people on the net are genuine people and as someone else said I think there's just a small minority that give the internet bad publicity.

Moon Maiden · 28-04-2003, 16:31

Quote:

What are the best websites, etc to visit to meet genuine people on the net?

That is a waaaaaaay difficult question. Simply because everyone is so different. Also you get prats in every bunch and not everyone is so genuine. I think you get a feel for the idiots after being online for a bit.

I met my hubby in Bravenet chat rooms whilst looking for other witches in my area. The other people I have met are all witches with the exception of one person I met inadvertantly through here.

Moon Maiden

Mo · 28-04-2003, 16:34

I personally wouldn't meet up with anybody via the net which is a shame really as I bet that most folk are OK. I dare say that many successful relationships are made this way.

gogojojo123 · 28-04-2003, 18:55

i know what you mean, most probably are ok! but i guess its just wetha u wana take the risk on it or not! i can see why people do do it, if they don't have the confidence in talking face to face with someone then its easier to talk on the net first, i would guess!!

RPG - Just took out that extra colour tag

halevan · 28-04-2003, 20:54

Cannot see what is wrong meeting anyone from the net, there are no more weird ones on here than anywhere else. Some people are peculiar full stop, whether you meet them on the net or face to face.

I will say one thing though, it is more dangerous meeting strangers today than ever it was in my lifetime. At one time you felt safe with most people and knew instinctively they didnt want to do you any harm.

It is a lot different today, as there are so many evil ones around, that are willing to kill you for no reason at all. The blame has got to rest with the law, as there is no deterrent and evildoers know that they will not forfeit there own lives if they commit murder.

Foxxx · 28-04-2003, 21:56

I've met a few people off the net, and have also been introduced to my friends friends that she met off the net and they are now my friends too! I've not had any bad experiences at all. I have lots of friends who have met their bf or gf on the net and husbands and wifes off the net etc.

The way I see it is that if you chat to someone for long enough you can usually work out if they are having a laugh or are dodgy. They start to slip up if you are clever to test them!! I think in a way this is much safer than randonly pulling someone while drunk in a nightclub and going off in a taxi with them, after all they could be an axe murderer! And many people do this! At least with the net, you can establish many things about them first before trying to meet.

Michael_W · 28-04-2003, 22:57

Foxxx wrote:

Quote:

I think in a way this is much safer than randonly pulling someone while drunk in a nightclub and going off in a taxi with them, after all they could be an axe murderer! And many people do this! At least with the net, you can establish many things about them first before trying to meet.

Very true Foxxx, I've never met anyone myself or even tried (The missus wouldn't be too pleased !), but providing people use their common sense I don't see a problem.

stephstellar · 28-04-2003, 23:59

I've made a few good friends, both local and around the world, as well as meeting the love of my life (who I would have been unlikely ever to meet in 'real' life), on the net (friendsreunited personals is a good site).
I've had no problems either - you can usually get a feel for what someone is like from exchanging emails, plus with email there's handy things like block sender if someone makes you feel uncomfortable.

Snook · 23-08-2005, 20:49

I still find the whole idea a bit strange... meeting people who you have never seen before... who could be anyone. I think that meeting partners from the internet will still be seen as 'geeky', but that will get less and less as the years go by.

banesmabes · 23-08-2005, 21:03

I've met a number of people from the net and have never had any worrying experiences. As has already been said, you just need to use your common sense, my tips are to always meet in a very public place - preferably somewhere where you can get a good look at the person before they realise you're there so that you can scarper if they're not who they said they were! I have also always refused to meet anyone at night, i just feel safer during the day and you always have the excuse then of having to be somewhere else later on if you want to get away!

I agree that is in no way more dangerous to meet someone off the net than it is in a club or pub - in fact I often think it is better because generally you are sober, so your judgement is not impaired, and personally I always get to know the person relatively well before agreeing to meet. I also refuse to believe that the world is full of nutters!

I find it is very difficult to meet anyone any other way as well. I don't really know that many people in Sheffield since moving back, so can't meet through friends; I'm not into the clubbing/pubbing scene (and think it is a really unreliable way of meeting people!); there is a distinct lack of men at work - and even if there were any I liked the look of I'd think twice about it because it is work at the end of the day. I just think that the internet is a new way of meeting people and soon enough it will be accepted as pretty much the norm.

dieselbabe · 23-08-2005, 21:12

I've met people of the net many a times.And still see most of them.but i dont meet them after just a few days of talking to them.I noramly talk to the people in diffrent names and try to catch them out to see if lieing.And they been a few i have talk too that lied about them selfs so i never met.Its not just the internet that you find weird people can find them in pubs ect on a night out.If you feal safe to meet that person then go for it i say.

absynthfairy · 23-08-2005, 22:33

In my single years I was a member of datingdirect.com and had a right laugh. Same rules apply as have already been mentionned but I met some nice people and had a nice time.

I have had 2 freaky encounters.

Met a scottish lad who I'd been chatting to for about 3 years daily on a purely mates basis and it was the wierdest feeling. For a start he was a bit of an oddball, for second was nothing at all physically the way I'd built him up in my head, and thirdly it was like meeting a stranger who'd been reading my diary. Horrible experience which resulted in a restraining order!

Second wierd encounter was with a lad off datingdirect that asked me to dress up as a "serving wench" for sex! I'd only had 2 bottles of stella! I scarpered.

A.B.Yaffle · 24-08-2005, 00:17

I've met a few people off the net, including my wife.

DragonofAna · 24-08-2005, 00:21

I met my wife on the net. It was worth it. I have since met a few other people from Sheffield Forum.

Interesting. But there are those who abuse this meeting thing - and I would advise caution.

Dragon

MTheo · 24-08-2005, 00:30

met tons...

who cares!... yeah its nerve wracking...but id prefer to meet someone ive chatted to and had PROOF that they are who they say they are (anyone that wont go to the effort to send you some pics....with an item of your choice in the picture lol...are not worth it, you have to be sure)

met some nice, some nasty, some freindly, some liers, some strange, some scary, some sweet, etc etc....

its more safe then walking into a pub and tapping a random person on the shoulder and talking to them!

the_rudeboy · 24-08-2005, 11:17

There are plenty of genuine people out there on the net......including myself.

But just be careful cos there some weirdos too!!

Try to get to know them before meeting....on the phone etc.....its usually a good indicator!

And like someone else mentioned....its got to be safer than 'pulling' in a club when you're hammered!!!!!