I have a confession to make: I joined a dating site.
Before you go judging me and/or snickering at my expense, hear me out. I work from home, so I don't have that outlet to meet potential gentlemen suitors. In addition, I have been less than satisfied with the selection (or lack there of) of New York men at bars around the city. Most of these "men" have one agenda: to get you to go home with them. Call me crazy, but getting treated like a cheap prostitute doesn't exactly make me want to give a guy the time of day. I guess I was under the false impression that my chances of finding that elusive thing called love would be greater, due to living in one of the largest cities in the world. Think again-- apparently dating in large cities is actually harder. Go figure.
So, after a few interesting experiences with New York's finest, I decided I needed to try something new. I looked at the various options in the online dating world and decided to go with OkCupid because it was free. Paying for something I didn't know would work didn't seem like a plausible decision to me.
I joined the site about a month ago, made my profile, and told some of my friends what I had done. Most of them looked at me like I had 50 heads, and I'll admit I was a little mortified to tell them at first, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do.
Up my profile went and the awkward (and sometimes creepy) messages came piling in. What constitutes awkward and creepy, you ask? Well, here are some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:
* Suitor #1: "good evening young lady make a date to dine with me mr howard"
("Mr. Howard" happens to be 53. Where's the big red button?)
* Suitor #2: "Hi sweety u re fantastic hot I have no comments but I don't think so u wanna talk to somebody like me I am just trying ti see my luck but u re really really hot hot hot I think this is not humans beauty u got it from somewhere else. All this words comes straight from my heart u believe or not but this is tue"
(Uhh what?)
* Suitor #3: "amg want to fly yo new yotk lmao!"
(Do you speak English?)
* Suitor #4: "Hi Beautiful, We seem to match well. I'd love to talk and see if we click, then possibly meet up for drinks. I am looking for someone for friendship/romance, companionship, possibly something more if the chemistry is right."
(Whoa buddy!)
* Suitor #5: "looking beautiful babe!How you doing?Just stop by to show u some love and I'm interested in getting to know you"
(As Gaga sings, "I'm not your babe, I'm not your babe.")
* Suitor #6: "Great smile...you'd make a great tickling model."
(Tickling model??)
I was about to cancel my membership to good ole OkCupid, but then I started receiving messages from normal guys. I've been on a handful of dates and have really enjoyed myself. Are any of them Prince Charming? Who knows, but its been fun to meet new people and have buddies to explore the city with.
I still don't really know what I think about online dating, but I will say it has been an interesting experience.
