Online Dating Etiquette

There is a certain code one must follow if one is to have success at online dating. Certain practices and behavior should be adhered to if you hope to get a response from someone. I feel as though I've become something of an expert at this in recent months, and there are definitely certain messages I have learned to stay away from. A few examples:

"Hey, would you like to get together sometime? I am very well-endowed" is definitely a message that I would automatically delete. Sadly, I have received this email several times from the same guy. Suave, isn't he?

"Hi." Seriously. That was it. Nothing about himself, no questions for me, just "hi". I understand that men are visual creatures, and that all it takes for some of them to want to meet up is to be attracted to your picture, but women (and, I think, a lot of men who are looking for something substantial) need a little more info than that. A little more effort as well.

"Your face lights up the screen like a fire cracker! Ready for an explosive connection?" What was I supposed to say? I took the bait and said "ready!" and the guy kept coming back with cheesy one liners. I finally told him enough with the lines, to tell me something real. But he wouldn't give up. Best to stay away from people who clearly have no interest in meeting you in real life. Why? Because they already have girlfriends.

I'm not saying I haven't made my own mistakes. My first email to a guy on OKCupid was definitely way too long. I told him all about me and asked him a zillion questions about him. I pointed out certain things we had in common based on his profile and asked if he would like to get together. Talk about forward! Looking back I realize that I was coming on way too strong and it's no surprise he didn't write back. After that I kept my emails short, sweet, and light (at least in the beginning).