Some profiles are without a photo, would you agree to meet someone from only exchanging emails if they were really unable to upload or send you a photo, or would you insist on seeing a photo of them first before agreeing to meet them.

In a way I'd say, depends on the exchange...

But... everyone can upload or send a photo, so that is a lie. I don't like lying.

Its better to know someone before meeting in real life. And exchanging pictures applies to both parties, both should share their correct info.

With today's technology I would find it hard to believe that they couldn't upload or send you a photo. Video chatting is an option as well if there is truly a reason why they can't provide a picture.

I'm not sure if I would agree to meet them. I doubt it because I would be suspicious of anyone telling me it's impossible for them to send me a picture. They are either lying or afraid if I see them I will not want to meet them, and in that case I wouldn't want to meet them anyways.

Blind dates that are set up through friends, when there has been no email exchange, are a little different. I would agree to that, not knowing what they look like. It's meeting someone for the first time, rather than someone you've known for a while through email interaction.

If I were communicating with someone online, I guess I would eventually want facial recognition before meeting them. Not so much to see if they appeal to me on a physical level...which to be honest, is a factor, but more so because it helps me connect more with that person when I can see who I am speaking with. I would want to be at the same advantage that they are when we meet. They see me, so it's only fair that I see them.

So, yes I would insist, when it comes to meeting someone I met online.

No photo, No response.
I shouldn't have to beg to one. If I want a blind date I know where to go.

Depends.

If they were all "hey, I hate online dating, I don't want to be stuck on here for 3 months chatting. I don't put up photos, and I don't put much in my profile. I'm looking to date, I think a couple of emails conversation is enough. I'm going to be at O'charleys pub at 6 tomorrow night down on main, I'll be the blonde in the green dress at the bar, if you want to come meet me," then I'd probably go try to meet them.

If they were all "hey, I want to get to know you, I want to sit online for days/weeks/months just chat chat chatting, and then maybe we can talk about meeting," then I probably wouldn't talk to them with or without a picture.

I definitely wouldn't ever buy the whole "I can't upload or send you a photo" bs.

Heck to the NO !! Anyone can upload a photo. REALLY!! No blind dates are
always a bad idea. Think about it. I have to have that physical attraction as well....

Thanks for all the replies. Some people will not upload photos to a dating site for many personal reasons to maintain their privacy, such as a school or college teacher not wanting their personal information online, which is understandable. Maybe they are also reluctant to give away personal contact information, such as their email address before a meeting, so unable to send a photo or have a video chat. Leaving emails on the dating site as the only means of communication and way to get to know them. I think I would take the chance and meet up if we had a few good email conversations, nothing ventured nothing gained.

I actually met with a woman without a photo online.
Never again.

This woman had 3 chins and her bellyfat almost touched her knees.
She had the attitude to match because I did try to look past her appearance to be polite. She treated me okay but she treated other people like crap.

If you think about the off-line, in-person aspects of dating it hinges hon seeing each other and wanting a connection. It is usually the visual attraction that comes first, often before the introduction.

I'll talk to you online without a photo but if you want to meet - I must see YOU first. That includes a live video chat or a proof positive photo (like a photo of you sitting in front of your computer with our personal email legible in the picture.

Wisdom like this doesn't require many repeats to learn the lesson.

That's a good point Duttoneer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I hope if you do meet up with someone that it all works out for you.

It is possible though for them to send you a picture in your inbox here. I have no clue how, but a friend of mine sent me one, so I know it can be done.

This insistence on prospective dates passing a litmus test
of looks I find disgusting, and very telling.

Yes, I would date someone I have not met or seen, and have.
Faith, like going to a movie and expecting to be entertained.

And if we have enough of a connection to meet, I really do
not care what they look like, attitude and charm
trump a harelip.

You have a really good point soufie, I guess one of the main reasons I would want to see someone is due to all the cautions I here about concerning online dating and meeting someone you met online. A lot of the suggestions are good to consider, but when you think about it, just because you see what someone looks like doesn't mean they are safe.

I know I said earlier that I would insist, but now I'm not so sure about that. I'm actually communicating with someone who doesn't have a picture, and the more I think about it, I would feel pretty cheesy insisting I see what he looks like before agreeing to meet him. I do think though, at least for me, seeing who you are talking with helps form more of a connection. It gives me the feeling that we are face to face when we talk.

yes i need to see their pictures first

Definitely yes, unless you're stevey wonder!

I really dont think we can help, who we are organically attracted to physically, or who we are viscerally repulsed by.

I am confident that I am NOT everybody's type , and I would HATE going on a date with a man , who was possibly repulsed by me, and I in turn would hate to put any human being through that humiliation, if I was potentially repulsed by them.

For that reason, I usually insist on videochat before a date so they can decide if they are interested in what they see and vice versa, since many people post fake pics online, or old pics which do not reflect their present frame.

That said, if the connection I felt with a person online, was VERY strong, I might still take the risk, and agree to meet with them, if there was no pic.

But I would set my expectations EXTREMELY LOW , so if I encounter the worst, I will not embarrass the person with a longsuffering expression or an inappropriate gasp.

being on here is actually like a blind search we never know if what we see and what we dont see are true/accurate. we just need to be the person somebody else would want to meet .

Yep. My profile images depict me as a Human, but I am really a Melmacian.

if i was a guy i would date blondey blind or not