People vary, over the past 5 years I've "met" with people who only want a pen pal, who want to skype without video on or who have strongly fixed religious or political positions that make conversations very difficult.  As with real world connections you have to sort possible friends out from everyone.  Plus, I think about 10% of any population are bat-crazy.

Don't let one bad one put you off the process.  If you find someone good to talk to hold onto them.  The clue is in the English "making friends".  "Making" suggests hard work.

I see nothing wrong with a Skype meeting first !

It's not your problem. The other person has a problem and I would be very suspicious that the person would be a genuine language partner.

Miyuki

I am Israeli, and I think that Israelies the most straight-forward people on the planet. But no one Israeli would persist on an in-person meeting in situation like you describe, we would say 'Enough to text let's have a Skype conversation!'

So I think, it is strange behavior and I completely agree with Phil.