I've always thought in the back of my head, that even if a relationship didn't work out, that two could easily be freinds if that's the way it started out, which I believe it should.
Kinda switching gears but going w/ what I said above, I think it's better to start out as freinds and develop a good sense of who the person is and let them get to know you.. that way not matter what, relationship or not, you guys are always freinds first. At least that's how I prefer it, probably the reason why I don't have a g/f right now