Let's meet up
By p1kef1sh
@p1kef1sh (45681)
May 13, 2008 2:35pm CST
Over the months and years many of us are fortunate enough to become very friendly with people that we have met on this site. We joke about meeting safe in the knowledge that we are often hundreds or thousands of miles away. But if one day, a myLot friend that you had never met, never talked to on the phone even, e-mailed suggesting that you meet, would you? Would you feel safe to go alone. Would you ask them to your house? Would you go to theirs. Would you throw yourself into reverse and be booked solid for the next 10 years. Don't worry, I am not going to do it to you. But what if someone did?
24 people like this
65 responses
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
13 May 08
I think I would as I am a friendly sort and have not met
many on mylot that I have not liked. Maybe the first
time I might ask my best friend to go with me.I might
ask them to my house rather than go to theirs. No I dont
think I could do that as I am just too horribly honest
but I know sometimes people on line can be other than what
you think they are. I am a tad naive to the point that
my son calls me a wuss but that is because I grew up
around my dad who trusted noone and always said most people
are out to get you. I dislike living like that as I find
most people are not out to get you at all. and most people are just great. Pikefish if they are all anywhere as much
fun as you I would love to meet them.lol
2 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
13 May 08
I guess that would depend on who it is. I have gotten to know some people on here that I would love to meet up with someday but i would meet somewhere first just to be safe. Do lunch somewhere is what i would do.
2 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
14 May 08
I will but I will not be alone, LOL! I will bring a friend with me, I learn to my experiences and always want to set some limit and not to trust fully anyone, even a close friend,I had bad experiences with close friend who became not a good friend at all and that made me always place some reservations. I know a lot of good people are here and I want to meet them personally given the chance but will always have that attitude not to trust fully! Just good to be careful! My opinion only!
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
15 May 08
I agree but I have not tried yet except the one who invited me and she is not starnger..LOL, she was my former office mate. But, I am looking forward to meet someone in person as long as she just live nearby..LOL! WHo knows in the future!
@kaleegirl45 (1515)
• United States
15 May 08
I remember one time I meet this lady on one of yahoo groups. We use to talk all the time. It just happen to we were going to the same place on that one weekend. We both agree to meet, When I finally met her, she was with a friend and i was with my youngest daughter. I introduce myself to her and I smile, omg,I'm surprise she even said hi. anyway, she said hello, we talked for a while. but there was something, you know when someone don't like you at first sight? That's how I felt with her, I don't know if it was because we were both from different races. I notice that she was acting different. I don't what it was. she changed after than and we just didn't get along and we stopped talking. I'm not prejudice, but if she was, she showed it.
@mummymo (23706)
•
16 May 08
Now I am disappointed - I thought that was a personal invitation when I read the title! I think it would very much depend on the person but for the most part I would definitely agree. My biggest problem would be the fact that my mobility was not great but I would make every effort to meet up with certain people and would feel safe enough inviting those to my home - I have my kids to protect me if anything went wrong! lol xxx
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
16 May 08
I still wince when I think of Niamh and Ross. Ouch. Say the word though and the Royal Train will be despatched for you. You would be so very welcome if you decided to come. A standing invitation. I am meeting someone "live" in a few weeks time. I can't wait.
2 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
13 May 08
Hello p1kef1sh,
Ideally, I would love to meet every single member here, I love to meet people, especially people on my friends list. But, I know that it's not possible or reasonable and may not even be desirable when considered practically. And add to that the fact that I have never talked to them, personally, or exchanged email, it would be a bit hard for me to consider meeting up. However, if I am called and someone from here asked for meeting, no matter who he/she is, I wouldn't say no, if I have time. I would just not invite them at my house but would rather meet them somewhere else.
One reason for me not trusting fully before other forms of contact is that I have found people to be inconsistent. I am not trying to say that they are lying, it's possible that they respond with different perspective depending upon the state of their mind. But, it sure makes me a little careful.
I have met many people whom I never knew but was told that they will meet by someone I already know. I have also met people whom I just met online and many are my good friends. But, in most cases, I had developed at least some minimum required working trust.
There are people here with whom I have shared my email ID. And, to some, who asked, I even explained how they can reach my city here in the best possible way. I would love to invite many of my friends here, chez moi, that I trust enough not to worry about.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
14 May 08
Thank you Kamran. You have made your beautifully. People can be inconsistent and I think that there is a reserve that comes to the fore when something like a meeting is suggested. We wonder what they will be like, are they as genuine as they appear etc. I have never been to Pakistan (but to India and Nepal) but have mixed with Pakistani diplomats in the past. Without exception they have all been charming and excellent ambassadors for your country. I hope that one or two of your friends do manage to make the trip to France.
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
13 May 08
I would politely suggest that we exchange emails and phone calls first. I've learned my lesson. I won't go near anyone that I don't have enough of an 'off site' instinct about to trust. Just five minutes ago, a friend I've been on site here with, on other sites with and exchanged emails with called me on the phone. It's the first time that I've spoken to her on the phone and what a treat it was.
At first I thought it was nova! That southern accent just melts my brain! LOL But as the call progressed, I knew that she was exactly the person I'd pictured her to be and that I could trust her. But we have a history now. And until I have 'a history' with an online friend, I won't agree to any off line meetings.
It's scary enough for me to give out my email address sometimes.
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
14 May 08
Really Angel! I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw this! LOL
So here's my answer:
Let's see what you can do with this! LOL
@nannacroc (4049)
•
14 May 08
There are one or two people I have met online who I would like to meet for real. I wouldn't invite them to my home but would arrange to meet somewhere. I sometimes wonder if people would be the same when I met them and I know they would probably think I was a different person to the one they met on line.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
15 May 08
I think that we are all a little different in the flesh Nanna. On line, we can steer conversations, only say what we want etc. But up close, how we look, what we wear etc all says things about us that the comfortable anonymity of this box protects. Meeting somewhere neutral is a minimum prerequisite I think. Maybe not a football crowd on Cup Final day, but a coffee shop or similar.
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
13 May 08
i would met my mylot friends in a heart beat. there are so many great people here. i have talk to a few mylot members on the phone and some in email. my good girlfriend terielee is going to come on down to the Big Apple all the way from Texas. her and I are going to get in all kinds of New York trouble!
@metrobelle (398)
• India
16 May 08
I would not mind meeting, just in case somebody ask to meet up. But I won't invite them to my house, first time, nor would I go to theirs. Preferably wold like to meet them over a cup of coffe in a nearby cafe of restruant.
1 person likes this
@olivebranch56 (910)
• United States
15 May 08
I think that as in all things in life, and people who cross our paths, it would depend on the person, and what kind of relationship we have established here. There are some people I have discussions with here that I would not hesitate to meet , then there is just the opposite. I think until you meet someone in a public place, you should NEVER bring them to your home. My most treasured things are in my home, my children. I would never risk them by bringing a complete stranger into my home.
1 person likes this
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
13 May 08
I think that I would have to hear their voice before I met them, p1ke. I'd have to talk with them on the phone or on Skype with webcam or something like that. There's a lot that comes through the voice, I think, and I'd need to hear it. My intuitive sense would help me decide whether or not I'd want to meet in person. But there are a few people here who don't live all that far from me, and I would like to meet a couple of them, even without hearing their voice. I'd feel safe with either one of the two I'm thinking of, and one's a man. If I invited them to my home, I'd have to clean up first, so I'd probably just meet them somewhere for cocktails or coffee or both. And as far as you're concerned, if I were to actually physically meet you, I'd be hard pressed to let you go. I'd hug you to pieces. Then I'd give you a nice sharp whack on the butt. After that, you'll follow me anywhere. But I'm daydreaming again, aren't I? No, really, some people I'd have to talk to, others I'd just meet on the spot. It would depend entirely on the relationship I have with them on the Lot - how much we've really spoken with each other, and basically, how I feel about them, if I like them, if I find them fun and funny. But I'd do it, yup, for sure.
1 person likes this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
13 May 08
That is so another Good book.. Beauty's Punishment There are a few of you all that I would give my eye teeth to hug, and to hold. You 2 are among them. In fact I am thinking My sis needs a vacation sometime in the fall :)))))
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
13 May 08
Why thank you, darling, I do my best. As to what implement I'd be using, well, probably my hand upon our first meeting, as I'm a very tactile person and would want that physical gratification. But after that, who knows? The world's our oyster! Ooooh, that makes me think of pearls, and you know how sensual pearls can be. And here I go again,turning a perfectly innocent discussion into one of smut. Bad girl! What's my punishment?
1 person likes this
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
14 May 08
Yup, that's what I've got in mind, to be sure, Angel. And p1ke just told me about that book, and I'm gonna check it out. I used to read Anne Rice, but it's been years. Guess I'm gonna have to pick it up again!
@FaerieAne2003 (679)
• United States
13 May 08
There are only about 4 of my myLot friends that I would even consider meeting face-to-face, and 2 of them live in England. As friendly as we are, though, I would have to consider my own safety first. I would definitely NOT invite someone to my home, or go to theirs, at least not for the initial meeting. If the friend was coming to meet me, I would suggest somewhere neutral for both our sakes, and I would expect the same in return. If I was supposed to be meeting someone and he/she didn't immediately suggest somewhere neutral, I would become suspicious and call the whole thing off. I certainly wouldn't go alone, my trip overseas would be a family affair. My husband and kids would go with me, and the trip would be a vacation with a stop or two to meet my myLot friends. There's only 1 of my myLot friends that I would consider asking to meet, but if the other 3 suggested the meeting, I wouldn't be opposed.
1 person likes this
@FaerieAne2003 (679)
• United States
14 May 08
Should I ever get the chance to visit the UK, you are naturally among the friends I shall visit! Lol, have a great day, P1ke!
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
16 May 08
depending on the approach but definitely i will meet him/her but not in an isolated place because if she/he advice that something gone wrong with him/her. you should be careful in meeting people specially stranger, spammers are common nowadays so we must be careful.
@Gollywog (1092)
•
13 May 08
I would like to meet with some of my friends on mylot, I would sugest we took a friend with us and met in a cafe, we wouldnt feel so shy if we took some one with us. I live by the sea so if any of my friends where in the UK and near where I live I would meet up for a face to face chat it would be fab dont you think!Realy top class post p1kef1sh?
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
14 May 08
I think that is a sensible approach. In fact this summer a friend and I hope to meet up. We've not discussed the arrangements (except it will be in Devon which is where she lives and I have a home). But I think that we would both be happier with somewhere neutral and public, at least for the first meeting. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
14 May 08
No I wouldn't feel safe and I wouldn't meet them or invite them to my house or go to theirs. If it was a person I knew through mylot and we had became friends it is still best to meet in a public place because even getting to know people online or through the phone they could still be totally different in person because online they can be anyone they wanted to be. You would still have to be careful and let others know where your going or have them there watching for a just in case and have signals to let them know when to interuppt and get you outta there. You can never be to safe when dealing with a situation such as this..You wouldn't want to visit me anyhow p1ke I live up a holler and nothing to site see town is 10 miles away and it is small and the most excitement we have is in October when we have our annual October Apple Festival. And a few times we get Wrestlers to come to our town to wrestle which is rarely.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
15 May 08
Your home sounds perfect. I live in a city (a very small one) and would much prefer to live in the country, in a place where the most exciting thing is that the traffic lights change! But that's not practical or realistic for me, or my family. You are quite right, safety is vital and your should aim to meet somewhere neutral, like a coffee shop, first.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
13 May 08
Welcome back p1kefish! I would probably meet them depending on who it is. There are a few that I would love to meet in person - who knows maybe one day it might just happen.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
13 May 08
Last winter when a mylot friend said she found a kitten as was going to take it to Walmart to find it a home, I said that I was coming down to San Antonio to get him.
Since then, she's been to visit once, to visit the kitten - of course.
We still have the sweet boy, Tony, and we still send her pictures of him.
1 person likes this
@kbourgerie (8780)
• United States
14 May 08
Well, I guess that depends on who it was. Were it you, absolutely I would meet you along with several others on this site, but I have to admit there are a few I would have to give a bit of thought to meeting with. There is probably only about 5-6 people I would REALLY entertain meeting with.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
15 May 08
I agree. I think that before meeting someone, it would be essential to feel confidant about them. Thank you for saying that I'd be one of the people that you would like to meet. There are a few here that I would like to meet to. I actually live quite close to one of them, and we have said that we will meet this summer - wonder if we will?
1 person likes this