Sometimes I initiated contact but truthfully most of the time I did not. When I was on Match I would sit back and wait for a woman to like me and then if I liked her I would send her an email. I did initiate contact with the Dr after she showed up in my daily matches though. I was dating for roughly 6 months before the Dr. and I met.
My advice would be to just take a date or a meeting for what it is. Don't go into it assuming or thinking it will turn into something more. It's a chance to get out of the house and meet someone out for drinks, coffee, or whatever. Maybe you like them or maybe you don't.
I probably spoke with 20 to 30 women and went out with 12 different ones before the Dr. At our age it is very easy to dismiss someone so IMO it just depends on what you are looking for.
My profile said nothing about being friends first. I also always went for the kiss every single time if I was attracted to the person. If I wasn't attracted they got a hug.
