OT: Online Personals

As a single guy, I occasionally look at the online personal ads. Sometimes it's just for comic relief, but I do wonder what the Internet savvy folks are looking for these days.

What's curious to me is the subtext in the personal listings. When someone lists "I'll tell you later" under smoking, what does that really mean? It that secret code for 420? Perhaps it means, "I smoke but I don't want to admit it and scare off the cute non-smokers."

Also, when a woman asks for "a real man" who "knows how to be a man" and "knows how to treat a woman", what exactly does that mean? I'm guessing a real man = well hung, knows how to be a man = rough sex, and knows how to treat a woman = makes me orgasm. Am I far off on this?

I find a lot of the "perfect guy" syndrome. Women who are looking for the nice guy and "no players need apply". Yet at the same time they want an instant spark of chemical attraction AND romance. Maybe this is a bit of a generalization, but most of these woman are attracted to the good looking bad boys who make them tingle. However, these men are not a good fit for the rest of their life.

There's nothing wrong with wanting it all, but relationships are all about compromise. That doesn't mean settle for less. When you're involved with someone it's give & take 24/7/365. Relationships are not easy, they're hard work and there are no guarantees.

I'm amazed at the amount of listings where the woman likes camping. I can appreciate an outdoorsy type, but I HATE camping. Give me a nice hotel in downtown Toronto, with several 4 star restaurants and many bistros nearby. Good food, entertainment, and/or a ball game - all with good company. That's a perfect date to me.

I currently live in a somewhat remote area, surrounded by senior citizens. Much like the movie In Her Shoes, but with a frumpy dude instead of Cameron Diaz. It's been hard enough to find interesting women to socialize with, and from what I've seen online it will probably be a long shot to find a good match. (Unless I opt for the Sugar mama route!)

Heck, it's hard to find anyone - much less a single woman - who can understand what I do for a living (and why I do it).

Appreciate what you do have and if you're in a decent relationship, consider it a blessing.