Ellen Gammerman writes for the Wall Street Journal and seems to be their onsite expert on online dating. She wrote a lengthy piece called “An online nightmare: Becoming ‘Undateable’" that is worth a look. It’s so dense with stories that I won’t summarize it here. other to say it describes a good idea gone bad.
I know that when I was doing online dating, I wished there was some kind of reporting system so that others could be at least warned about caddish behavior. And some sites have developed systems to do so. But like any good idea, people are always around who are ready to misuse it (like the scammers who are now such a part of everyday Internet life). And people have figured out ways to abuse and manipulate rating systems.
I guess the only route is the middle one: Behave yourself and use good manners, do the best you can with your online profile, making sure it also accurately presents you as you are now, and keep you antennae up and in the “receiving” position. Don’t be a cad yourself, and learn how to spot them.
I know that when I was doing online dating, I wished there was some kind of reporting system so that others could be at least warned about caddish behavior. And some sites have developed systems to do so. But like any good idea, people are always around who are ready to misuse it (like the scammers who are now such a part of everyday Internet life). And people have figured out ways to abuse and manipulate rating systems.
I guess the only route is the middle one: Behave yourself and use good manners, do the best you can with your online profile, making sure it also accurately presents you as you are now, and keep you antennae up and in the “receiving” position. Don’t be a cad yourself, and learn how to spot them.
