Definately somewhere public like a restaurant. Don't meet him anywhere you have to be alone - you never know!

MEET ONLY IN A PUBLIC PLACE, preferably daylight or early night. Make sure someone knows you're meeting this stranger. Leaving a note at your house is better than nothing, but the idea is for the police to have a place to start their investigation, in case you're never seen again! We've all seen these stories. You simply can't be too careful! NEVER LET HIM COME TO YOUR HOME, SCHOOL, OR YOUR WORK EITHER! Hopefully, you haven't already told where you live, your neighborhood or your work. People on the internet get attached fast, once they've made what they think is a connection. Maybe because we're all so damned lonely, I don't know. Anyway, innocently giving out your phone number or last name might be just enough to get info from Google or ZabaSearch about you. If he gets overly interested, starts stalking, and watching from afar, it builds up a relationship of sorts in his mind. Next is anger and revenge if you don't return his interest. Again, sorry for the paranoia, but people always say they never thought it would happen to them! Be aware, your gut will tell you. So now, when you meet, it's NEVER FOR A MEAL, even if he's gonna pay for it! You can't stay, you've got plans to meet your friend, mother or sister anyway. This gives you an "out" if he's not for you once you see him up close. It'll be hard enough making it though a coffee, or a juice - you certainly don't want to have to spend an hour plus, just to get a free meal, with someone filthy or smelly! Politely say it was nice, but you've gotta go and get outta there! Later on you can let him know you got back with an ex, or something's going on with the family and you've put finding love on hold - anything to be nice and done with him. This will work perfectly, unless you've already told too much about your life before meeting him . . . Now on the other hand, if he's "all that," call your friend in a half hour to delay you having to leave for another half hour, which is really just you checking in to let her know you're okay. The extra half hour gives you enough time to learn just a little bit more, to help you know if you want to meet again. Leave without promises, and see how you feel about it all tomorrow. Before you get together again, take time to talk on the phone, and email, to discover more about each other. All still done carefully by you. Remember, just because the internet gives us speedy information, it doesn't make affairs of the heart, or love relationships more quick and easy. You've still gotta get to know someone from the inside out! Take care to take care. Sorry if I went off track a bit, but I feel all this was necessary to fully explain the why and what of a first time meeting.

The more people around the better, like a mall or someplace like that and let someone close to you know where you are going and when you will be back home.

I agree with all of the above. Somewhere very public where this person is unable to get you alone.