Online Dating Archetypes: The Men

We're in the home stretch of our Online Dating Archetypes tour! In previous posts, we discussed why categorizing people by online dating archetypes can be useful and reviewed a few of the kinds of women you're likely to run into when looking for love in cyberspace.

Today it's the men's turn. Buckle up boys, because this might be a bumpy ride!

According to the people I polled, some of the most common male archetypes on online dating sites are:

1. Men who fancy themselves 21st century Casanovas. I have no problem with two (or more!) consenting adults seeking no-strings-attached hookups - but I do have a problem with men who seek out sex by pretending that they are interested in something more. If you're looking for a relationship that's low-maintenance and fun, then these are the men for you! But if you're looking for a steady, long-term relationship, think twice before investing time and emotions in online dating admirers who focus consistently on sex.
2. Men who are needy. If your online paramour requires constant reassurance of your affection for him, expects to chat with you several times a day to check in, or gives off the vibe that he's the type of guy that always needs to have someone in his life to nurture and take care of him, end the relationship. He is searching for a replacement for his mother, not a romantic partner. Neediness and dependency might feel flattering at first, but always become tiresome and destroy relationships in the long run.
3. Men who consider themselves outsiders. Whether they're self-described "nerds" who prefer the company of their Second Life friends to their real life acquaintances, or wannabe artists and poets who think that the way their spaghetti sauce splatters across their plate is the perfect inspiration for their next piece, these men all seem to have the same goal: proving their strangeness. If that's your type, online dating sites are a great source of potential matches; if not, steer clear of any profiles that try to impress you with their eccentricities and weirdness.
4. Married men. Men who are married - or otherwise attached - are quite possibly the greatest pests that have ever plagued the online dating world. They might simply have joined a dating site out of harmless curiosity or they may be on the prowl for additional clandestine partners - in either case, the only way to ensure that your heart isn't broken by a previous commitment is to avoid married people entirely. For advice on identifying them, check out my posts on "How To Avoid Married Matches Online" (Part One and Part Two).

And last, but most certainly not least, the one you've all been waiting for: average men. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, there are ordinary men as well as ordinary women, and my advice is just the same as it was for the ladies: don't pass up an average opportunity, because average people almost always create the most extraordinary relationships.