Opinions for Nothing

Online Dating

Joanne asks:

I've communicated a couple times with a guy from a dating site but he never asks me any questions about myself. Is that a bad sign?

The phrase "online dating" is a misnomer. It should be called "online meeting." You meet someone online, you exchange emails or IMs or phone calls and then you meet in person and start dating.

I don't think it is necessarily a bad sign that he hasn't asked you much about yourself via email. Meeting someone for the first time can be awkward whether it is in person or online. It is almost cliche to put "excellent written communication skills" on your resume, but written communication is a skill entirely separate from verbal communication. Maybe your guy is not a great communicator in writing, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't make a great boyfriend.

I think that since you have exchanged a few emails, you should meet in person as soon as possible. Don't let the online conversations get too involved before you meet. Reserve your judgment of him until then.

A Way Out of Spinsterhood

Joanne asks:

In your opinion, what is the one thing a gal can do to help her out of her spinsterhood?

Honestly, I think the easiest way to get out of spinsterhood is to become more attractive. It sucks, but it's true. If you are single, particularly if you are single and over 30, your pool of potential mates is diminishing exponentially with each year that passes. It's simple math. You find potential mates by dating. Attractive people get more dates than unattractive people and, therefore, have a greater chance of finding future mates.

Of course you want someone who will love you for who you are on the inside, regardless of what you look like on the outside, but it is easier to reel them in and keep them around long enough to see the inside if the outside is easy on the eyes.

I suggest you do what I did. Lose weight, wear make-up, style your hair every day, meet a good man using online personals, fall in love, gain the weight back*, live happily ever after.

Second Opinion

You don't need to consult someone else for a second opinion - I have those, too. You should let your friends set you up on blind dates more. You should get friends who will be good at this.

*Gaining the weight back is an optional step.