I used to see this on dating sites a lot. Women had a laundry list of what you can/can't be and yet they were nothing special. I'm thinking Really? Just move on, I guess.

I don't believe in mail order brides so my bio mentions only about me. I don't wish or pray about my next witness to my life. I let life and romance to surprise me. I will accept her as she is.

Really astute post.
I've often wondered if on-line dating is the last resort of desperate people.

There's a song for everything.

My bio says nothing of the kind.

I don't write anything with any other intent than saying hello.
You read nothing from me I wouldn't say in person.
I do like that various question responses are included ( unless you disable it I guess) as it gives a feel for someone s sense of humor or thought processes.
But then I'm not really " looking to date"....only meet like minded folks.
If something cliks from there, so be it....if not, so be it.
For me this is just another online group in that respect.

I think a lot of people (particularly older people) are wary of potential mates older than they are because it reminds them that they, too, are getting older. I've seen lots of women's profiles on dating sites that really restrict that upper age limit. Granted, I'm only looking at women's profiles, and in the range of 40 and up, but that's my take on it.

I totally agree unless the age difference is ridiculous. I have a very lonely girlfriend who has been waiting for her Prince Charming for years, and I suspect she'll still be waiting when death knocks at her door. Her requirements are all physical, such as must be 6 feet minimum, blue eyes, dark hair, cowboy...you get the picture. She is probably missing out on some quality men but that's her choice.

You know, men are very visual when it comes to sexual attraction and while they don't all like the same thing (some men go for BBW's and some like a very tiny or thin physique), most of them are initially attracted to people that fall within a fairly conventional range of proportionate height and weight. Gay men can be even more selective in that regard. People who get to know each other in course of daily life face-to-face may develop attractions that would never have happened based on an internet profile or a photo, but when you're trying to decide if you're interested in someone online, I'd say for most men it's the photos and for a lot of women it is a combination of photos and also some of the things in the profile and how well they express themselves there. But in the end, it tends to be pretty superficial to begin with. I don't know that I'm cut out for this business of online dating. I prefer to get to know men in non-dating situations and decide if I'm attracted or not to them and what I think of their personalities and character before investing any real emotional energy into trying to develop a relationship. The hook-up culture is foreign to me. I'm superficial in my own way, maybe not so much on the physique side of things but there are definitely things that do not appeal to me on first glance and if that makes me shallow then so be it. That's how it is with online dating. It's superficial almost by definition. We like what we like. I don't want to waste anyone's time if there's no cheese down that hole.

yes

Having an age limit restriction makes sense to me. I guess if you only want a hook-up it might not matter as much but as I get into a better emotional state I have a hard time imagining being in any kind of long term relationship with a woman who isn't at least 30. Also politics. If someone was a hardcore GOP/libertarian/Ayn Rander/tRumpite I'd be telling them to get away from me anyway; and probably not very politely either. Also I'm guessing most of us on this site would want to avoid the overly religious although I expect ain't too many of them here.

I agree with your points. I've always felt that someone should be able to deliver what they seek ! If they want "fit, slim, and healthy" - be that. Or if one thinks they need someone much younger - be exceptionally youthful for your own age. I mean ... c'mon ! No one should have to fill in the traits for someone who hasn't bothered to maintain those same traits in themselves.

That reminds me of a conversation I had recently with a guy in his early 60's. He's been single for about a decade and he was complaining that he's lonely. I asked if he had tried any dating sites. He replies "do you have any idea what girls my age look like on dating websites?!?!" Well guy, that attitude might be your problem.

I’ll keep my age limit. Dating someone the same age or older than my mother seems disturbing.

Lots of self-sabotage happening. Whether it's realized or not. Mostly not.

Guys should listen.