Not really...the only way you get to know someone is by spending time with them. And the more time, the better. Also...some ppl might maybe want to take a coffee with a SP first just to see if there's any chemistry between them and a given SP. Better chemistry leads to a better session, imho.
Nobody's looking for friendship, love, etc. It's a business transaction, pure and simple. But even in business, you want to get along with the people you interact with. And the ones that I do get along with, I tend to repeat with. The ones I don't is usually a "one and done" deal.