(take this advice at your own risk)
part one
if you recieve the number in the morning wait no less than 6 hours..
if you get the number in the evening wait till the next afternoon before making contact..
if you leave it more than 24 hours, you`ve got a mountain to climb
part two
this ones more fragile, depends on how close you are to your mate, lets say he`s your best bud, i would say to him what he thinks about it and then go for it, that way he heard it from you and not someone else down the line
i differ a bit. if you get her number on a sat or sun night then wait till probably the monday night, perhaps tuesday morning, then ask her out for the following weekend.
as for the other, i'd be okay dating her, but i'd be worried about my mate giving me a slap!
ok zammo, you had me looking at this the other way round, but my advice still stands..
anyway still early doors yet, he might be plucking up the courage, or finding the right words, some blokes (like myself) have trouble with these sort of things
The following day. I would again thank her for her number and inquire when she was free and if she fancied going somewhere/anywhere. Hopefully,he will get back to you
If i gave my number to a guy, and providing that i liked them, i'd like to receive a text quite soon. If i gave the number out at night, it would be nice to get a text in the morning asking how i was after the night, etc. If i gave it out in the day, maybe that night, or the next day. I dont see the point in people waiting ages and playing it cool ... if you like somebody, dont waste no time. Leave it a good few hours, and then text her when you think shes not busy :o)