Wink at your own peril

I stumbled across an interesting story today through a link shared on Twitter. To say that it was inaccurate is an understatement! I'd like to bring up one point that the writer makes and let you know exactly why he is 100% wrong.

Here's what he writes about winks:

Do: Wink as often as possible. Most sites offer a free communication tool called a wink (or a flirt) where members can show interest in each other with a pre-written email designed. Since winks are the primary method by which other members will notice your profile you must get in the habit of sending a lot of winks. Send 10 winks per weekday for 1 month you will have sent 200 winks. If only a mere one percent of all members at whom you have winked showed interest, you'd meet two brand- new love interests every month.

Don't: Email before winking. A direct email before attraction is solidified is as welcome as a phone call at dinner time. Doing so exemplifies a non-interest in attraction and may irreversibly turn-off a potential mate. Conversely, don't pre-judge an attractive profile due to some personal neurosis. If you see someone you're attracted to but they live in Magna- wink anyway. You never know what treasure's you'll find if you keep digging.

Wow. Just wow. I'm not sure how he could be more wrong about winks. Here's how I would re-write the Do's and Don't's of winks:

Do: Send a short and sweet email to people you are interested in. It shows that you invested time in reading their profile and crafting an email that addresses them directly as a person, not just as an attractive target. Send 10 emails per week to the people who interest you the most. If you must click the wink button, do so immediately AFTER sending a first contact email. Winks and emails can come as a package, but a wink shouldn't come separately.

Don't: Wink at anything with appropriate genitalia and a pretty/handsome face. Ten winks a day? 200+ winks a month? This clearly indicates you are not being selective or reading your potential match's profiles thoroughly. Sending a wink with no email sends the message, "I think you're cute, but I don't want to take the time to write you unless I know it's worth my time." Essentially, you're telling the person, "You're not worth it right now." I think that's far worse than sending them an email and risking coming on too strong. (Besides, with the right first contact email, you'll only come on as friendly and low-pressure.)

What do you think about winks? Have you been a victim of a drive-by winker?