The protocol has changed with online dating. Nowadays the first meeting of two people is for coffee in a public place. It is pretty much an informal interview meeting. That is why I call mine coffee meetings. If the first meeting goes well and both people are interested in seeing each other again for something more substantial, like having dinner, seeing a movie, going to a concert, etc., those would be called dates.

Who really cares that much what those occasions are called? I don't. I just know that is the expected protocol these days when two strangers encounter each other on a paid dating site. Before the coffee meeting, the two people always trade a few messages, sometimes they also might talk on the phone some, usually they don't. It's all about the dance of cautiously finding out more about the other person and deciding if there's enough attraction and compatibility to want a romantic relationship with the other person, altho most people prefer to wrap the whole thing in the early stages with the cliches about friendship first, etc..

The difference is, with new friendships between people of the same or opposite sex, that don't involve a dating site, nobody is sizing up the other person early on about whether they could see themselves having sex with the other person. Such a bunch of cliche crap, the whole "friendship first" stuff. It's just a way to indirectly tell men (justly) to back the hell off and slow down on trying to get someone into bed.

To me, a date is a pre-planned event, where some quality time is spent doing something - dinner/movie/concert/etc.

Whereas a meet n' greet is just getting together for a quick drink, or a walk - enough to look one another over in person, and decide if you want to plan a real date.

As for kid stuff - I'll let parents toss that one around.

It's a date if you're not already seeing someone. It's a meeting if you're already dating, but keeping your eyes open.

The first meeting might be a job interview. So you have to know the intent of both parties involved.

It doesn't matter what you call it. It matters how you behave.

Of the two options, I would prefer to date. I want to already have a mutual and meaningful attraction for the man I'll be sitting across the table from.

To me, a date is when two people have established a romantic, and perhaps, a meaningful interest in each other. You've had intimate conversations about life, goals, sex, and what you want in a relationship prior to your encounter.

To me, a "meet and greet" is when two people have formed a brief interest in each other, but no major connection of feelings. They want to meet to see if something might spark between them that could lead to a date or more.

Both can lead to sex, however.

I'm not much of a dater. If I'm interested in someone, I'll focus on just one person at a time. I don't like talking to multiple people at the same time and sharing my feelings like that. Just one man at a time is enough. My INTJ mindset/ personality kicks in.

It depends upon whether or not there is romantic intention. If so, that's a date. However, if there's a miscommunication and only one participant has romantic intentions, then it is not a date. And it isn't limited to a man and a woman, you know.

A rose by any other name...