How long do people chat with a particular person before they take it to the next level? a month, year, a few days? How long does it take 2 really get 2 know someone???

depends on the person, some take forever, some can take a few hours. just depends on when you feel it's right.

to each their own. Cheers

Just kind of beware of the ones that want to take it too fast too soon, unless you're into that.

I have to agree with not rushing to meet someone online, unless you're into that. A LOT of things can happen...bad or good, and you just never know. Even if you have been talking to the person for a long, long time....

I've usually chatted online for 4 to 6 months before meeting someone in person. There were one or two exceptions, so it isn't a hard and fast rule. Just whenever you feel you've learned enough from talking to take the risk of meeting someone from online to in person.

it all depends on how fast you escalate conversation to the "next level"

There is no rule per se. Everyone is indiviual so you have to make a gut judgement based on emails, IM's and phone converstions. I have met someone local in as few as 2 days in a busy place so she would feel comfortable, and we are still friends. I have taken months to meet others and some i want to meet but haven t but it has been over 1 year.

I agree

If I meet someone online that is local and we start a conversation, then I try to make arrangements to meet within a week, two at the most.....

this is only for woman that are local to me....see I'm looking for a date, not a penpal.....

why write for months, only to meet and find the Chemistry is not there....all that time, energy & putting out of yourself!!!!.....

I do like to write to women as friends....for that I prefer out of state.....more interesting to meet people from all over the world!!!!

true true

I think you could set up an initial date and just see if you are going to like the person, you can tell alot about a person when you are face to face opposed to talking online. Say you talk to someone online for 3 months and never talk on the phone or never go out with this person and when you do go out with the person, you dont like them, then all that time wasted..