Contributed by: Jet on Sunday, November 27 2011 @ 08:08 am
Last modified on
Not every online dating website has the same sort of profile; even if it does, not everyone fills out their profile in the same manner. On the one hand, this is a good thing; human beings are unique and ought to be able to express themselves however they please. On the other hand, you want to be able to easily figure out who you’re dealing with, and wading through a laundry list of favorite restaurants might not be the most helpful. So if you’re new to the online dating world or just joined a new site with an unfamiliar format, what should you look for while perusing a profile?
First, look for basic facts. They might not want to give specifics, and that’s understandable from a privacy perspective. Still, you ought to be able to get a general idea. Do they list a general profession? Are they a student? Do they have hobbies or interests? Beware of profiles that say nebulous things like, “I love to have fun” without giving the slightest hint of what their idea of “fun” is - they could be spam accounts. In short, do you feel like you’re looking at the profile of a real person, or is it the online dating equivalent of those pictures of models included when you buy a new frame?
Once you’ve established that you’re dealing with a human being, get a feel for who they are. Do they have a sense of humor? Can you hear their “voice” through their writing? Are their pictures telling a story about their personality, or are they simply a series of in-the-mirror self portraits?
Next, it’s time to evaluate. Not everyone’s forte is writing, and beyond that, even a good writer might have a hard time when it’s their own profile, or if they’re new to the online dating world. If there’s anything that stands out to you, analyze whether it’s ultimately insignificant - a laundry list of favorite bands might be annoying but it’s not the end of the world - or whether it’s actually a red flag. Are you catching undertones of bitterness or negativity, or is this just someone who’s trying to be funny? Is this person being deliberately vague about the facts of their life, or are they just trying to show off their creative writing skills?
In short, the specific format of the profile doesn’t matter, as long as you can easily pull out the relevant strands of information. With time, you might find you can scan for the pertinent information first, then read the entire thing if you’re interested. And as you read more and more profiles, ask yourself: can others find the information they seek as easily on your own profile?