Lessons Learned: Looking for "Love" is an Interesting Endeavor These Days

So I've met all these guys, ranging from creepy, to dorky, to dumb, to nice, to obnoxious, to taken,* ... And what have I learned from it all? A short list:

- If you're a tall girl, you're going to need lots of flats. Guys of average and below average height almost always lie about it. If he says he's 5'9", expect him to be 5'7". Or shorter. (I'm nearly 5'9". As if I wouldn't notice...)

- You should meet sooner than later. I've found that when I have a great rapport with a guy online but, for whatever reason, delay meeting him, it always fizzles almost immediately after the meeting. Perhaps it's because our exchanges were so great online that in real life neither of us could live up to the standards we'd established in that forum. Whatever the case, I think it's best to meet early on.

- Talking about midget** porn can be fun. The mental images, not so much. I think being open to random conversations is a better way to get to know someone than the standard "Age? Background? Career? Dislikes? Entertainment preferences? Fitness habits? Goals? Hobbies?..." bit. My word of caution is to be prepared for any possible paths such random conversations might lead you down.

- You should listen to your vibes. I have this habit of sticking around a bit longer than I should so I can understand why I have a bad vibe or what someone has done to give me that vibe. Really, it doesn't matter. And the longer you (or I) stick it out, the more likely it is that some creep will convince you he is not such a creep. You should listen to your gut instinct. If for any reason, even an unidentifiable one, someone gives you a bad vibe, run.

- Lots of people hold their potential mates to much higher physical standards than they hold themselves. Reading through CL postings you'll find that about 70 percent*** of the guys who actually post what they're looking for in a woman require that she's "slender," "trim," "petite," "fit," "well-proportioned," "attractive," "well-groomed," etc. Now, take into account that about 85 percent*** of those guys are ugly, short, bald, hairy, toothless, and/or fat.


* Goodgodsweetjesuslordinheaven, that list of adjectives makes this whole endeavor seem pretty dire, doesn't it?
** My apologies to any vertically challenged people this might have offended. I didn't choose the un-PC term or the topic of conversation, honest.
*** Yes, I totally just made up those percentages. Give me a break; I'm no statistician.