RY – My latest idea is to start with a phone call or two before deciding if it’s kidai to meet. Amongst other benefits, no one has to pay. Skype is a bad idea, because then the girl still has to spend the money, time, and energy to look nice.
Granted, it’s only when you’re older that you can get away with this. When you’re younger, you can’t get away with it, and it’s probably a bad idea anyhow, because you may get the wrong impression of the person if you don’t meet him in person.