I am petrified

How exciting! Well done for taking the plunge. Keep it casual in every way! though if you've already been chatting in line, I'm guessing you already know a fair bit about one another so conversation shouldn't be too difficult. Hope you have a great time and if there's no chemistry or he has literally disgusting table manners ..... it doesn't matter. It's just lunch. Let us know how it goes .....

Wear something attractive but that you yourself find comfortable. Table manners are important, but he is probably as nervous as you are. Relax. You could shake hands with him. Just have a pleasant time and ask him about himself. Hopefully he will want to know all about you. If you don't like him you will just have to think of an excuse why you need to leave - make one up, if necessary. Like you arranged to do babysitting or something at a certain time.

Well done you for taking the first step. Just relax and enjoy yourself. It is only lunch, won’t last forever if you aren’t keen and you can go for dinner later if you are. Hope you have a lovely time.

Try to think of it as an opportunity, not a threat. Lots of good advice here. Take all the sensible safety precautions, arrange a phone call or text in case you really need an out. If you’ve chatted on line you will know some of his interests so maybe start the conversation there. I imagine he’ll be nervous too. Wear what you would usually wear for a pub lunch, it’s not formal, so be comfortable. I’ll be hoping you have a really good time.

I hope it all goes well. Just relax. Please report back...we all want to know how it goes x

I'd be terrified too and asking myself why I'd made the arrangement in the first place, in fact obsessing about it good and proper, tying myself in knots.
It will probably be perfectly all right. Bear in mind all the good advice you've been offered here and enjoy yourself.

If your online dating just be careful. Not everyone is what they say they are. This goes for any dating but online dating is certainly more of a minefield. I did it briefly but don't want to go down that road again.I'll take my chances doing the traditional way of meeting people. Saying that I do have a couple of friends who have met partners online. As its all about chemistry, I just feel to have that with someone on line is much more rare....and so many people lie!! Just be careful, dont believe everything someone says on the basis of a few dates, and I agree with other posts, dont tell him too much about yourself and meet in a public place. I went into online dating with an open mind, and maybe I just had some bad experiences.

Oh gosh! Thank you for all your good advice ladies. We've been speaking on the phone every night for at least one hour each time since the 14 Feb. I've got pics of his mother!, kids, dog, cat, his flowers and his motorbike too!!
I will let you all know how it went..if I'm still alive

Hi Rolande,
I am sure the guy your going to meet on Saturday will be nervous too, us blokes are brave when in male company but often when on our own we have many misgivings worries and are well aware of our shortfalls As has been said on here be yourself and don't do anything or say anything that you wouldn't feel comfortable with doing saying to any of your friends We blokes do listen, usually, so if he is doing something or saying something your not at ease with tell him if its ll going well enjoy every minute and if its not get a sudden "phone call;) "and leave I truly hope everything goes really well for you and him too

Oh yes, please do! Have a lovely time.

New thing recognized by bar staff, if you are feeling threatened or uncomfortable ask bar staff if Angela is working and they can help you out the back way.

But I hope it all goes well for you

Good for you Rolande ! Ten years ago I was in your position and took the on-line dating plunge. I "chatted" with several men and arranged to meet for lunch with three (not at the same time, three separate days!) - a good time of day as you can both escape, if necessary for prior engagements. Each man also admitted to feeling nervous and during each date it became obvious that we did not have much in common so as to further a relationship. I felt rather disappointed but did not give up. After the first lunch it became easier and rather exciting to meet the others.
Number four was a different matter and we have been married for 8 years. To us it was instantly obvious the we shared so much in the way of values and interests and after several meetings a bond was apparent.
After the demands of nursing a terminally ill husband, so much grief when he died, this internet dating was the start of a new chapter in my life.
So, go with the flow; as others have said, smart casual dress, be yourself and be honest. Remember: if at first you don't succeed there are many men available so do not be disheartened if he is not Mr Right - keep searching and I wish you joy and happiness in the future.

I have met up with a few gents off dating websites - a few I met for a second time but I havent bothered lately. But one thing I never did, I never gave my home address nor my landline phone number. Sometimes we would exchange mobile phone numbers just in case one or the other got delayed or lost etc. Good luck.

Don’t have a meal. Just a drink or coffee to begin with. Then you can move onto a meal if you are getting along. Don’t put pressure on it being more than a chat to someone then the anxiety will lessen. Just be yourself and do what is comfortable for you. Enjoy and good luck.

We all KNOW that phone call halfway through the first date, the one you have to go outside to take in private, is a fake. You ARE allowed to say 'Sorry, this isn't working for me' and leave. Rather than lying.

Rolande- Remember it's just the beginning of a new phase for you, and make sure to let us know how it went.

This happened to me thirteen years ago. I had been divorced for three years when, encouraged by my daughter, I decided to give online dating a go.
I nearly stood him up I was that nervous, but thankfully I didn’t. We met up in the car park of a local pub and ended up being the last to leave! We were soulmates from the start.
We have been married for nearly 12 years and I have never been happier.
If it hadn’t been for moder technology we would never have met - and how sad that would have been?
You might have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince, but what have you got to lose? Take your time, have fun, and who knows, Mr Right might be waiting for you in the car park. X

Enjoy your lunch, be yourself, dont expect marriage, as happened to a lot of people on here.
Please keep us out of suspense and give us all a feed back,
Good Luck.

You're meeting in a public place and it will only be about 2 hours out of your life. Have a few topics to talk about- family, current affairs, films, travel, animals etc. to get a sense of whether his views match yours suitably. Dress smart casual.
If you don't like him and he asks for a second date. Just say politely that you don't think you are very compatible and will be seeing someone else in a few days time. That will put him off!! Whatever way it goes, put it down to experience and try again. Good luck.

In the past I have suggested meeting a blind date for a pub quiz because a) that's my thing b) I find intelligence a very attractive trait c) there's something to talk about in any conversation lulls.

I am very cautious when it comes to online dating.
You have chatted but say 'he seems nice'? Seems?
Your 'what ifs' suggests you wonder if you are doing the right thing.
How do you opt out if you don't like ' he seems nice' ?
You can't always judge a book by its cover but if you don't feel comfortable with him after that meeting how you deal with it is for you to decide but be honest..Have you ever considered a singles club.? These are informal but with the advantage of feeling comfortable with what you see and what you hear before a first date.I hope all turns out well. Be yourself ,but don't shake hands unless he makes the first move NO hugs/ kiss on the cheek.Let a friend or your DD know where you are.
In spite of my doom and gloom I do hope he meets your expectations.

I did loads of these a few years back, started off scared (quickly realised the man was usually more so) and became very blasé after a while. Pub lunch is good - have a cut off time. If you get a friend to call to check all is well, take the call, leave the table politely if necessary. If you ignore the call your friend will worry. Most of the time you will be at a table so put more effort into your top half than bottom half. Clothes give messages so think carefully what you want yours to be. Regard this one merely as dipping your toe in the water. And have a good time!

Good for, go ahead & enjoy the experience. I was widowed at 57, 5 years ago. I knew I was going to move to a new area so I didn't even try meeting anyone new,

Once I moved my first year was very busy getting my house & garden sorted (still not sorted totally & I've been here 3 years). Last year I joined 2 Meet Up Groups, I have had to take myself out of my comfort zone, walk into places I've never been before & meeting people for the 1st time. I'm loving my life, no romance but I'm perfectly happy on my own.

I have a friend I met through Facebook, we message each other & speak on the phone. Hopefully we'll manage to meet at some point, neutral ground. I don't have any real concerns as we have a mutual friend on Facebook & share some common interests. Will it be a romance? no I doubt it as neither of us is looking for a relationship beyond friendship, we live about 250 miles apart & I've intention of moving

Tell the pub/restaurant/whatever you are paying for yourself
only before he arrives. Then, if he has 'forgotten' his wallet he can sort it out with the restaurant himself.

Being nervous is understandable but I would say be very careful a lot of men will tell you everything you want to hear but nothing you don’t. A friend of mine met a male friend at a Costa coffee after they had chatted inside the restaurant he suggested she got into his car to chat some more it admitted he was married and not want sex. He did not want any relationship although he told her before they had met that his wife had died and he was looking for a long-term friendship. She met 10 in all and not one was what they said they were. Good luck.

Hope it all goes well! 18 months into singledom I joined a group of people around my age that met in the city and had a diary of parties, holidays, trips, walks, all sorts. It was a great way of meeting others in the same situation without the pressure of having to "date".