I have some experience with online dating. I have met and dated, fairly long term, a few women that I met on line. IMO, Match.com is fun, but sort of a date catalog. Lots of strike outs and misses before anything interesting comes up. Eharmony is better IMO, but a bit slower. I think if you actualy answer their dumb survey honestly, you may actualy find someone with something in common. Ive been dating a girl for almost three years now, that I met on eharmony. Im almost 50, been divorced for almost 10 years, and dont see a big gain in getting married right now. I lost half one time, dont need to do that again.

Its funny how some folks think its a disgrace or something if you date on line. A generational difference I guess. It is what it is.

My MO is to email a few times, if they seem halfway sane, see if they want to meet for coffee or a drink. Its no harm no foul if it thuds on the first meet. I dont consider it a "Date" and eaither one of us could walk out at any time as far as Im concerned. Its simply to see if they have a personality and live up to their posted profile and emails. And on that note: No contact with head-shot only profile pics. I got all excited about a Dr that seemed really cool. We met and had a nice drink, but she had a huge rear. Too much for this ol boy. If they look like what they say they look like, they will post it.

At one point I was inspired to write a book about all the characters I met from online dating. One in particular looked and seemed normal, had her own bussiness, etc. We met the first time for coffee. I see her come in to the coffee shop: Looks- Check. Then she spoke. I about died. Her voice was REALLY deep. WTF? So we talk for awhile and, yes we decide to meet again. But then on the second date she sort of starts with this check list of requirements:

First Item "So, Im comin off a long lesbian streek and Im kind of wanting to get back in practice with a man. You have a problem with that?"

Sound of record needle dragging over record.....

Let me know if you want a co-author. I could contribute greatly to this one.

only experience with online dating for me..i had to pretend to be a hot chick, to lure my friend's husband. she found his online dating profile. i did it because i am stupid.

who knew that i can be a pretty seductive vietnamese chick..."love you long time".

thankfully, they divorce. the cheating bastard.

I actually use my experiences as part of a larger book I'm very slowly working on regarding the dangers of moving to digitally mediated living.

I met my current long-term g/f on match.com, and met a number of other great women. You have to learn to read between the lines, and I evolved to a pretty strict set of guidelines. Those include:

- don't wink - write a damn message if you're interested and make it short but with specific references to something in their profile. No generic email bombs.

- be willing to spend time searching and pursuing, though for women they tend to get more attention so they can be less proactive.

- be prepared to have your ego get alternatively pumped up and shellacked. People do online dating for a variety of reasons and they may not always be up front about, or even realize those reasons.

- meet in person as soon as possible - don't get into endless email conversations. Some people are looking for "virtual attention." I wanted a real person.

- make the first meeting for coffee and have a time limit (at least in your mind) with an out. Do no commit to something lengthy or confining

- pictures lie - in both directions. Far more common to have people posting old or overly flattering photos but in fact my current g/f had a kinda crappy single photo. If I was going by that I wouldn't have pinged her. But she made some comments in her profile that intrigued me so I set up a coffee date.

That was you? ;)

I think you dodged a bullet with a transvestite.

And you did see my Italics?

I hear good things about Pelican Parts.
The only problem is to many "Old Farts" like me who have flash cars and way too much money, several houses in exotic locations & very large appendages.

I've been on PP for years and no one asks me out... am I don't soing something right?

:p

There are lots of invitations to a night out. Unfortunately they're all guys and they ask you to bring a jack, tools,shop manual & your own beer.

lololol

Could have something to do with your spelling.

I have met you and if I weren't married you'd be at the top of my list.

Of course, I might be very well NOT at the top of your list.

Great rules to go by (for any noobs out there)

I've met the Drama Queen as well...she's a good gal.

Well, of course you have. She _ just _ can't _seem _ to _ remember.


dunkles

Yeah she does....we've met many times at Ventura.....think bunny ears....

Why not just get a mail order bride?, you get what you want and you run te show.

;)

Ummmm, no, that's not the way that works.

Whyz that.