How do you feel about “friends first”?

As a mid-life woman, I’m heading into the dating market again after about a year of singledom. I want to live alone as that works best for me but I enjoy people and I am a warm, generous person that enjoys giving to others.

In the past, men have moved quick with me. This has been a negative that doesn’t work out. I want to date as “friends first” and go slow and see if we really like each other rather than “need” someone to fill a void or financial agenda. These days, sex is often expected after 3 dates and I think it clouds my judgement and makes me more vulnerable. My “risk assessment” concludes the risk is not worth the reward so early on as sex without true connection feels empty and unfulfilling. Not to mention STDs and being used and then attaching to someone who is not a good match for me.

Men, how would you feel if a woman you were interested in dating made a proposal to hold off on sex for awhile, hang out, get to know each other and wait until we know we really like each other and want to be exclusive? Would you be ok with it if she seemed a decent honest loyal woman?