One advantage I can see in doing this, is that I can imagine that not all forum members would welcome being approached in a restaurant, or on the beach etc. by complete strangers, with an "Excuse me , but are you......?"
They may wish to keep their identity concealed, and consider it an invasion of privacy.
If we do it this way, then we can assume that anyone in 'Forum corner' at 8.00pm is probably a forum member wanting to meet others.
(Sorry Johntheref, I seem to have hijacked your idea! - will a large Metaxa or Ouzo suffice as an apology?
Angie (formerly known as Holliepos)