Yes, that’s happened to me more than a few times. But the last-minute ditch is not so bad, as long as you plan to meet at places you’d want to visit anyway.

Case in point: Several years ago, I matched with a guy online. We chatted a few days, exchanged a couple recent, realistic, & clothed photos, and made plans to meet at a bar where my friend’s band was playing. I arrived early, paid my cover, got a drink, and texted him where I was sitting.

He arrived on time, paid his cover, scanned the room, and locked eyes with me. I smiled and waved... and he left. Five minutes later, he texted that he’d come down with something last minute and would not be able to make it. I replied “no worries!” but it would not deliver.

It didn’t feel great at the time, but the music was good and I got a decent story out of it. Plus, my friend’s band split the door with the bar so they got a few extra bucks.