I think it depends on each situation. Someone, if local and you speak several times and want to meet, probably the sooner the better. Why waste time if you're close enough to meet and few times in a public, safe place?
Long distance? Depends on how far, what each person wants from the potential relationship and how you wish to go about moving forward with it.
I've done both. You have to establish the ground rules with everyone you meet in real life or online. Until you feel comfortable, and like you know enough about someone to meet them don't do so. Either way you really don't get to "know" someone until you begin face to face contact.
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