I recently 'put my toes in the water' of online dating. As I scan the online dating profiles of prospective suitors, I can't help but wonder what in the world people are thinking. So, I thought I'd write my own little "What Not to Post."
Let's start with pictures. All of the following are bad:
- You in the mirror holding your iPhone: it might mean you have no friends to take pictures for you and/or don't know how to work a self-time
- You in the mirror holding your iPhone without your shirt on and flexing your muscles: it not only might mean you have no friends, but also that you have no time for a girl because you spend all your time at the gym...and staring at yourself
- You and all your buddies pounding beers at a dive bar. You're over 30, I think it's time for a new hobby!
- You and another girl, even with the caption "She's my sister," because she's probably not.
- You anytime before 2008. A lot of hair can be lost in 2 years.
- Starting your introduction with "I just got out of a serious relationship that ended badly" is definitely not the way to win over prospective gals.
- "My friends would describe me as intelligent, good looking, hard-working, and family oriented." Really? You sound like a great guy. What's the catch? (okay, maybe I'm a cynic.)
- "I'd love to find a running partner." At least half of the guys on Match.com are looking for a running partner. Maybe all their previous partners have run away?
- Saying things like "I treat my woman..." Chances are if you were to refer to your girlfriend as "my woman," you are not as respectful as you might think you are.
- Discussing your love for world travel, the theater, and wine tasting...while many of your pictures are of the previously mentioned "beer pounding in a dive bar" nature.
- Requesting that your "match" have a certain BMI. Yes, this is something I actually read in a profile - "I have a BMI in the normal range and I'd prefer if you do too. If you don't know what BMI is, Google it."
And so begins the next chapter of my life. These guys have no idea the shoes they have to fill (size 9 Adidas Sambas, to be exact). In the words of Gavin DeGraw "I have you to thank for making me so, so hard to please because you treated me so good." :-)
