Bars are often smoky, poorly-lit, too noisy for conversation, and expensive. In some cases, they can even be dangerous. Avoid awkward situations and one-night stands. Online chat is great as long as it stays online. For many people, the main appeal of online chat is that you can be whoever you want to be.
Chatters routinely misrepresent their age, marital status, and even their gender.
Giving someone online your real name, telephone number, or e-mail address can have annoying or even dangerous results. Be safe and know who you're meeting. They reach a large number of people, usually in your local area. At work or in a bar, you can at least get a look at someone. When you read a personal ad, you have no way of knowing if anything in it is true.