When I'm meeting with someone about a job or contract, I do a bit of research (check on linkedin, look for a blog or twitter account, google to see what else pops up). I hope I'm not being overly reverential.
I imagine if I was meeting with someone to convince them to give me a significant chunk of money, I'd do more research.
BTW, this is the same guy who does (or used to do) random meetings with anyone who signed up on a wiki: http://www.feld.com/archives/2006/01/random-meetings.html
As you should, that is courtesy on your end. If however you end up finding a stallman-esqe[1] rider, then it will be clear you are dealing with someone who will probably not respect your time.
[1] https://groups.google.com/a/mysociety.org/forum/#!msg/mysoci...
I LOLed at this bit:
"I do not eat breakfast. Please do not ask me any questions about what I will do breakfast. Please just do not bring it up."
Reminds me of a book I read to my two year old called "I want my hat back".
This should be its own HN thread.