This has happened a few times before but the other day, I got a random email that included this guy’s mobile number.

I would be lying if I said that I haven't called/texted a complete stranger but nowadays, I won't 'cold call' or give out my number - I’m attached to it and wouldn’t want to change it because I gave it out carelessly but It did get me thinking...under what circumstances would you give out your number?

Anyone who gives out personal contact
information, in the early days, can
often be a scammer.
They wish to get you off-site, as
soon as possible.

So, I report any initial emails with
contact info. ('Report This User' in
every profile.)

There are NO circumstances under which
I would give out the information to a
stranger.

When would I give my number out to someone on here? When I've gotten to know them a bit and would like to chat with/text them away from the site.

On another dating site? If I am interesting in getting to know more about them and meeting them.

Ordinarily, I would agree with you but I was just thinking that in work based scenarios, I frequently give mobile number out to people that I meet through networking or to acquaintances etc.

These are people are basically strangers to me and yet, I don’t hesitate to give them my mobile. How is this different to a ‘stranger’ that I’ve met online? Obviously you take into account the other person's professionalism but in all honesty, that ‘stranger’ may already have my number...

I’m guessing that you would go on instinct as to when would be the right time (to give out your number) etc? ...

Yes, of course. I have no set timeline of when t give out additional contact information. When it feels right, it happens. I don't really worry about it a whole lot.

i whore out my number like crazy.
i get plenty of numbers in messages too.
sometimes i want to take them and give them out to other guys who ask for my number.
win-win, no?

I don’t worry about it...yeah, I had a few pests but not loads...I guess my real question was along the lines of why it is more acceptable to give your number out to strangers in some settings but not in others?...I don’t think that there is an answer and doesn’t include me using my noggin (head) and trusting my instincts .

Thanks for helping me think this out...sometimes my brain doesn't always work at the same pace as it used to

I must say. I have done that.

I just got two of those the other day.

I am so on edge about giving a guy my number. Unless I know I'm going to meet this guy. I rarely do it. I guess I only give it out when I've chatted with them enough times to the point where I know them a little better (or I think I do, sometimes people clam up later) OR our emails are just not coming through right. Sometimes its difficult to understand someone through typing, especially people who have a dry sense of humor. But I'm so protective of my phone.

Well, i was able to get a nunber from a friend in Zambia and now we are getting on well. It does not mean all men or women here that ask for number or e-mails address are scammers.

What's acceptable to some may not be acceptable to others. I wouldn't give my number to someone on here who asked immediately without me knowing anything at all about him. I don't talk on the phone much, so there would really be no point in talking to someone I had no interest in talking to. It's not really about what I think is acceptable, it's about when I'm comfortable to do something.

Just do what you're comfortable with.

Kinda...I just think about the ‘what ifs’ too much. I'm a creature of habit and the thought of all the people I would have to notify if I had to change my number etc....I can think of other ways to torture myself .

I’m too lazy to even give people different ring tones!

Didn't read this properly the first time round but definitely and win-win

I'm with you...my number's precious...

To be honest, I'm less likely to give my number out to someone that I've met online unless we've chatted for a good while.

I know..but I am protective of my number although not so much of my email address...maybe because that's relatively easy to ignore.

Thanks..I normally do but sometimes, I just need to 'say' it out loud

Yeah, there are a lot of crazy people out there. I've given my number out to a few people from here, but I have to deal with them through e-mail for awhile first.

I tend to think anyone who is too eager to give out a phone number really quickly is probably not someone I want to jump into anything with....

Are you as cautious about giving out your number (that's if you do BTW) to strangers in a professional capacity?