What do you think the rules on this should be? Should single parents have to introduce their new love interest to the other parent of the child?

I think that a parent should be able to insist on a meeting of their ex's new love if things get serious. Every parent has a right to know who is taking care of their child.

Though, I think many times people demand on the meeting, but only to mark their territory, so-to-speak. I had a friend like that. She practically wanted to meet every girl he even took out for dinner!

Well, if it does get serious and the other parent is in the same vicinity, I don't see why not. But for some people that doesn't work. My co-worker who passed away back in January, she married her husband who had a 5 yr old daughter and she never met the mother of his daughter and the daughter is 10. I don't know why, but I guess there would've been too much conflict.

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Should single parents have to introduce their new love interest to the other parent of the child?

No, not as a rule. Especially your friend who wanted to meet every casual date. If the relationship gets serious, I don't think it's unreasonable for the ex to want to meet the new partner but I don't think it's their right. Reasonable people would work something out. Sure, I don't want my ex dating a pedophile but is that something I can judge from one meeting? I monitor the situation through my child when she's with me. Some divorced couples hardly have any contact after the split as it is. One of them is supposed to arrange a play date for their ex?

I agree, not as a rule. If the other parent requests to know more, then the dating parent should comply....but I don't think the former needs to interview their ex's new lover or give them the seal of approval before the child comes around them.