I think you need to chat online just long enough to decide they are real and you want to meet in real life, then the sooner the better in my opinion. I once met someone online who said they would be happy to go on a date with me, but it would never be any more than dating. They were at least honest. I declined, because I would like to think when dating that it could become something more serious, that is why I wanted to date her. I am still not sure whether I did the right thing, maybe I should have just enjoyed the date, it just seemed over for me before it even started. My profile photos on here are age progressive, I have been on here that long. I love the forums.