Would you do this - or are we just crazy?

[mickeyfan1]

I would, because of the history of the thread, the fact that you have spoken with them on the phone, etc.

As to the person who says she will NEVER meet anyone from the internet, do you also have this rule about meeting parents of your kids classmates? People from church? People at a neighbors home party? See the "NEVER" meet anyone one from the www is a good rule, in a way, but it is also kind of silly as you meet strangers every day. You don't know anything about the classroom parents, yet you meet them at PTA meetings, you have the kids in common, you set up play dates, you have coffee at the mall, all the while you know as little about them as you do people here on the boards. Most DIS meets are in very public places, and with large groups. Perhaps your rule should be "Don't meet anyone from the www in a private setting, always have other people around", and if it's your kids then it should be "Always have your mom or dad with you the first time". If your kid gets invited to Chuck E Cheese's for a birthday party, do you let them go alone? Some things require a little though ahead of time.

Sorry to be on a soap box, but you meet people everyday about which you know nothing. At least on the DIS, you pretty much get an idea of what people are like.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I keep trying to meet people from online, but they keep sending me to vacant lots.

ETA: I did once have a great DIS meet with a rabid monkey.

I wonder why?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Sounds great!

Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've enjoyed twice meeting Dis folks on our cruises, but with that said, I'd prefer to have our own car. That would be true of driving with anyone.

 

[tinatark]

I've been a member of cruisecritic boards for a while - would meet them to travel. Of course convincing DH is another thing

 

[binny]

Ive made some great friends that started out online.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Ive made some great friends that started out online.

Me too!

 

[kelleigh1]

I can understand where the poster is coming from who has the "no meeting internet friends in person" rule, but I wonder if that only teaches your children fear. I'm not trying to judge because you are the parent and it's up to you to make the rules that fit your family, but I think that if it were me, I'd be more inclined to teach my kids how to look for signs that someone is not who they say they are, and to trust their instincts. And based on their ages, they may not be at the point where they'd be able to make that judgment. I'd probably have rule that they weren't to meet anyone without involving parents on both ends.

As for the OP, trust your instincts. It sounds to me as though your instincts are telling you that this person is trustworthy.

Personally, I probably would accept the ride. I met my husband online and if I hadn't gone with my instincts, I'd probably still be single.

 

[Cantw8]

I met 3 internet friends this past weekend. We had a blast. As far as I know, there were no axe murderers among us!

Bwahahahahhahha, I'm coming for you "It puts the lotion on it's skin....."

 

[PixiePop]

I have met some disers on our cruise last year, but I probably would not accept a ride from someone I haven't met yet.

 

[buckylarue]

I'd take the ride. I figure, if he does turn out to be a mad killer, he could just as easily do you in on the boat as in his car, and it'd be easier for him to dump the body at sea...

 

[kristen821]

Are you taking your son with you? I wouldn't do it for sure if I had a baby with me. You never know if they are some crazy kidnappers.
If it is just you and dh I might, probably not, but if I felt really sure I was comfortable I might.

 

[Beth76]

The OP is not taking her son. He's staying home with the in-laws, for a nominal fee. Sorry, OP, I couldn't resist.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I would accept the ride---It would be harder to "OFF" both of you--One of you should at least be able to get away! LOL-Sorry---When I went to visit my EX at Parris Island I was misinformed as to the transportation available from Atlanta to PI and ended up taking a ride from a very big gentleman and his sister--Probably not smart but I did make it to the hotel in one piece and they gave me their number so they could take me back to the airport--They ended up being wonderful people and were just trying to make what was a bad situation better.

A couple of years ago I met a Veteran at a restaurant I was working at who was hitchhiking from Chicago to Lawton OK because of a job he was able to get-I was in Kansas at the time and DH was at Ft Sill which is an extension of Lawton and would come home on the weekends---Well I told the guy if he was willing to hang around for a couple of days DH would drive him directly to Lawton---DH was PO'd---He did it though they guy was easy to talk to and down on his luck---About 1 1/2 months later I received a letter at work from this man with $500 bucks in it and a letter saying Thank You for all I did for him and that he was working,loved the job and was glad that there were people like me out there who were willing to help out a stranger in need.
A few months ago when I moved back here to KS I stopped in the restaurant and my old boss told me that the guy had come back up to visit and was sad that I no longer worked there and bought pizza for all the employees.

 

[KelNottAt]

Hey everybody, you seem to be getting a little hung-up on what I said earlier. If you go back and re-read, I'm sure it will become apparent that my opinion on the OP's question was based on just trying to follow one of the rules I've set for my kids.

My post clearly stated that I regret not being able to meet Dissers. But, since I won't allow my children arrange meetings with cyberspace friends, I can't be a hypocrit and do it myself.

I know you're not axe murderers. And yes, I let my kids go to public places with people we know all the time. But that is not what my post was about.

I was merely explaining why I, personally, would not accept the ride.

 

[sweet angel]

Bwahahahahhahha, I'm coming for you "It puts the lotion on it's skin....."

You don't scare me
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much....

 

[lecach]

Beth76: Ha ha! That made me laugh. By the way, DH talked to his Mom and she said no money was necessary. So we figured we'd just buy their lunch. At the restaurant DS wanted to go in the pool room so when I was in there SIL looked at DH and said "are you leaving any money - there wasnt any in your envelope". He didnt give her any. But we told him if they needed to buy anything to please let us know what we owed them.

 

[grlpwrd]

Hey everybody, you seem to be getting a little hung-up on what I said earlier. If you go back and re-read, I'm sure it will become apparent that my opinion on the OP's question was based on just trying to follow one of the rules I've set for my kids.

My post clearly stated that I regret not being able to meet Dissers. But, since I won't allow my children arrange meetings with cyberspace friends, I can't be a hypocrit and do it myself.

I know you're not axe murderers. And yes, I let my kids go to public places with people we know all the time. But that is not what my post was about.

I was merely explaining why I, personally, would not accept the ride.

I certainly agree with you - safety first. What about what we teach our kids about stranger danger?

Meeting someone that you know online at a neutral location is different than meeting someone for the first time and let them drive you whereas they are in control of the situation putting you at risk.

 

[MoniqueU]

While I have zero problems meeting most people off of message boards, I generally do not like riding in other peoples cars. It used to be beacause I smoked and no one else smoked. Now I am not sure what it is. I don't even like to ride in my MIL's car. I have an SUV I am used to being up high and I feel safer that way I guess. I don't like driving with anyone but my mom, my friend Tamara and my husband for the most part. There is the rare exception to that for very short trips. But a long one I don't like to be at the mercy of others. Just my own odd quirk I guess. Probably because I am not allowed to drive anymore and feel out of control anyway.
But if you can handle it with no problems go for it and don't worry. I am sure you will be fine.

 

[Virgo10]

I'd do it and I'm fairly conservative. Heck, about 15 years ago I went to Michigan and met up with 30 people I had only chatted with online. The entire group spent 4 days together and we ended up the meet by going to Cedar Point. It was one of the best times of my life!

Be careful but you can't live your life afraid of everyone.