AND THE RESULTS ARE IN...

So, I have concluded my venture into the world of online dating services and the results were quite interesting. First and foremost, geographical settings are crucial to variety, 'natch, so being located in the asshole of the world things can get a little droll, just like in any social environment. That's why supermarkets always come up on top for places to meet people, because EVERYBODY has to eat and wipe their bums eventually, and why nightclubs, bars, pubs, coffee shops, etc. can suck massively most of the time. So, with that in mind here goes the rundown of what I discovered...

1. There are millions of people all looking for someone that fits the same profile as everyone else. Everybody is looking for the exact same thing. Redundant? Perhaps, but what is really strange is that every person is rather simple in their desired mate's characteristics. So, if everyone is looking for the same person, one would conclude that everyone shares pretty much the same traits as everyone else, right? So, what is the problem everyone is having with finding someone like themselves?

2. Personality does not come across well in ANY dating site. Every site tends to focus on similar interests, yet I have only found one that allows for individual personality traits to be apparent. Seems to me that personality is THE biggest deciding factor, yet gazillions of people turn to a "solution" which prevents the sole decisive factor to be exhibited.

3. Literacy continues to be a sweeping epidemic. I always felt assured whenever I read a profile or a message from an interested party that demanded proper usage of language or there would be no further correspondence. There is hope for us all still...

4. What is with the stupid names people come up with for themselves? I understand the need to stand out from the rest of the crowd but come on!! "Sexylips4u", "Cumgetme", "Wannamakeuholla", "Dripping4u83", "Latinboyneedstail", "Swinginladyfire29"...what the hell????

5. Why am I sitting at home? No, really...why? It's better than being in a bar or coffeeshop granted, but every single person lists "walking in a park, hanging out at a museum or art gallery, etc..." as an enjoyable way to spend time. Why the hell aren't they there, surrounded by all the other people that enjoy the same thing? You would think the odds are in your favour for meeting someone if everyone wants to do the same thing...

Basically, what it comes down to is lack of communication skill. Some people are shy, some are nervous, some don't know what to say, some fear being rejected or humiliation...blah blah blah. THIS IS FOR YOUR HAPPINESS people!!! What better incentive do you need?? In their 1971 book "Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication", Kim Giffin and Bob Patton state:

People in the 1970's are very much concerned about being human people - individuals able to have enjoyable relationships with other persons. Our automated, complex society has created a growing state of impersonality...

This was a problem in the 70's?? Cocaine everywhere, nightclubs where bumping asses and crotch grinding/leg humping was the norm, anthems proclaiming women wanting to give it and men wanting to take it and last but not least, clothing that barely existed??? Wow...how times have changed.

Gumption, that's the ticket. For the most part, everyone LACKS it. Going online will make it easier. WRONG!!! You ultimately still have to interact. Now granted that there is an awful lot of pressure removed for those that are timid or what-have-you, and for those that are looking for a specific characteristic or interest(fetishes and such)the search can dramatically be narrowed, but you still have to interact. And there lies the rub...