Meeting An Older Guy Online

[The Batman]

So anyways last night I was prowling through craigslist out of boredom and one of the ads kinda popped out at me. He's 45 says that he wants a relationship purely based on love and the personality of the person. It was like a really good ad basically saying he's looking for the real thing and he's not going to play around about it. So I emailed him and today he replied and we've been emailing back and forth for about 30 minutes now. I've played around with craigslist before but never seriously wanted to pursue someone but this guy seems interesting like I at least want to meet up and see if he's the real deal. So I tell a couple people what I'm thinking and both shoot it down telling me it's not a good idea. Honestly I do know that it's not a very good idea but I think I can handle myself and if things go bad I know how to call for help. I don't know the more I think about it the more confused I get. Basically I'm just asking for opinions on this and I'm including a poll in this too.

[Kaius]

I put against meeting him for now, I think it'd be worth waiting a while and seeing how things go with this guy. I mean with the stigma on the internet with the older people it can be hard to distinguish between an adult wanting the real deal and an adult trying to take advantage. I'd wait, keep replying over emails, even skype if it makes anything better but just don't go without knowing a few things about this guy first

[Art_dude]

I agree with Kaius.

Besides personal safety being an issue, you don't know enough about him personality-wise to even get an idea of his identity (or the identity he puts on for show.) Craigslist in particular doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation with scenarios like this. But seeing as you're older, mature, and have a realistic understanding of the situation (you're aware of the potential danger but have shown you'd take precaution) I say meet him at a SAFE, and PUBLIC place sometime in the future. A little more time online wouldn't hurt, just so you know that he's committed to the idea of meeting you and it's not just a fling.

[Contra]

I already told you what I thought, and I still feel the same way. I think you shouldn't do it, he's 25 years older than you and he could be different than you think.
You can talk to him, but I wouldn't recommend meeting him or starting a relationship, yet it's up to you.

[CaptainObvious]

He's over twice your age. Regardless of whether or not that is too much for something to happen ever, it's certainly too much for you to be rushing into things. If you've been emailing back and forth and really like the guy, I'd say asking this question makes sense in a month or so. Now is too soon, given the circumstances.

[The Batman]

I'm not planning on meeting him today maybe like next week some time and i don't plan on jumping in bed with him the same day sorta just a meet up and get to know each other thing and if it gets something more then we think about dating. Although knowing me it won't exactly turn out that way and I'll more than likely rush into it and make horrible mistakes.

[Contra]

Although knowing me it won't exactly turn out that way and I'll more than likely rush into it and make horrible mistakes.

Then I think you should reconsider meeting him.

[CaptainObvious]

I'm not planning on meeting him today maybe like next week some time and i don't plan on jumping in bed with him the same day sorta just a meet up and get to know each other thing and if it gets something more then we think about dating. Although knowing me it won't exactly turn out that way and I'll more than likely rush into it and make horrible mistakes.

Let me put it this way: with this big an age gap, I think it's extremely important that you take things very slow to make sure you're making the right decision. If you think you'll be prone to diving in headfirst when you meet him, hold off on meeting him for a few weeks and see how things develop. Caution and care.

[The Batman]

So after a lot of thinking and talking to different people about it and reading the replies in this thread. I decided against it I'll just try and find people another way. The guy seems cool but I'm not entirely sure I should do it so I'm not going to. Until I'm like 100% sure that I'll be safe meeting someone from online I'm not going to.

[walpoler93]

its your decision, but it might not be a good one to get too close to someone online.

[Jess]

right, it's your choice, but I wouldn't want to meet someone two times my age :P