The Perils of Online Dating

I’m not sure if the title is correct.  It’s not so much the perils but the depressing nature of it all!  I’ve been on two online dating sites now for probably over ten years.  When I write it down it feels like an age!  So why is it that I have been so unsuccessful?

In the beginning I was quite enthusiastic.  I sent emails that had some meaning, and, length.  These were met with either silence (i.e. the mail received no reply, 99% of the time), or, a return message of a few words.  Where I received a reply and tried to pursue some kind of conversation this usually petered out after a few more times.

So what is going wrong?  Firstly there has to be some physical attraction.  Maybe I am punching above my weight, and, choosing ladies that are way out of my league?  I do feel though that a lot of women have got a very idealistic view of the type of man they are looking for, hoping for a prince charming fairy tale.  That’s all very idealistic but I feel there must be some realism in the situation.  My idea is to take things casually at first and see what develops, but this seems to go against the principles of many women.  If you are not committed 100% from the very start then it is usually a non starter.

Perhaps the last paragraph has summed up exactly where I am going wrong.  Instead of blaming everyone else I need to have a long hard look at myself.  Maybe I am beyond the dating thing now?  I wonder at what age you have to rule yourself out of the game?  The fact of the matter is that nowadays I usually like to please myself.  Am I erecting my own barrier to hide behind?

It’s odd really when I reflect because I enjoy romance. I like to watch the excellent first dates series on channel 4, and, am always pleased when people hit it off.  I also like the Peter Kay car share series where it looks like a relationship may develop there also.  So why am so scared of relationships myself?

Answers on a postcard please.