It's very kind of you to try, but most won't take a hint. Personally, I've always valued the straightforward approach. Before you've hit the 4th or 5th date, it's just business at that point.

For me one of the deal breakers is a TV in the bedroom. I have had a TV in the bedroom a few times, but it never got watched. I dated a guy who slept with the TV on. I cannot do that. I have a fan and white noise on, but never TV. I have a 2 TVs in my house, one has not been turned on in years, it is in the basement family room. The other is in the LR, but it is a small house. I don't have cable, I do have Roku and usually watch Netflix or Amazon. My TV is on less than 2 hours a day, and likely less than that. I grew up with TV in the living room and my dad watching TV every evening and sports on the weekends. I hate sports on TV. I am not put on this world to "make" anyone happy. I am content, and I make quilts. So far this year I have read 30 books. Might be more, sometimes I forget to add them to Goodreads. I once dated a guy who had not read a book since HS. He was over 50. That and his family drama made that a short relationship.

This is an easy one, you two aren't even remotely compatible. Especially as it regards reading: your intellectual levels and interests are too different. Just tell him something innocuous and polite, but firm.

I laughed at your TV comments. I too watch NFL football, and after last years Super Bowl I unplugged it. I will plug it back in this Friday to watch a pre-season game. I do not watch network TV. I have never watched Seinfeld, Friends, reality anything, etc. It has been about two decades since I've watched a regular show. I get screen time from YouTube. Don't have cable TV. Other than football, I watch World Cup Soccer and the Olympics.

I think it is about time you start listening to me. Stop chasing all these men, they will do your head in. Just enjoy life. If you are meant to meet someone special you will but all this chasing is just no good. If you stop you will feel much better, be happy with what you got. He, he. You just do what you want girl.

Clearly not a match at all. You had very different views of the world and happiness in general. Keep looking.

It's kind of odd how we change over the course of our lives. I grew up in a family that escaped reality with television. I won't deny being enchanted as a young child by the magic of well acted dramas and mysteries...mind expanding science fiction and the brilliance of Broadway Musicals. I was introduced to Jazz at the ripe young age of 6 by a friend of the family who was also a HAM Operator and had one of the first FM STEREO Radios with excellent professional headphones...oh the heavenly sounds I heard stuck with me for LIFE. Music appreciation class in JR HS caused me to become hooked on Classical music...Beethovens Pastoral Symphony would lift me above the clouds. Keep in mind my Jazz and Classical interests were dismissed by a family that thought country music was the apex of musical art forms. In later years I still love my Classical and so many forms of Jazz. Broadway is still magical and reading is still my preferred form of relaxation. I have a TV(flat screen of course) but it is in my son's room for his gaming system. I have a smaller monitor to watch an occasional movie or news that may be worth watching(very very little these days...now if the Marmalade Mussolini has a STROKE) THAT WOULD BE NEWSWORTHY. With all the remodeling I have going on there is no time for "dating" and even if there was I wouldn't know where to start...i think I have turned into an old curmudgeon and that's just fine...i don't have to worry that I am compatible with someone else...i can just enjoy being "me" ... I think I just grew tired of trying to fit into someone else's painting...

My guess is you’re over thinking it.
You are absolutely correct, find your happiness before getting in a relationship.
That’s why I’ve been entirely alone since 2007.
Yes I went to lots of therapy.
I guess I’ll either die alone or find happiness and then look for someone, but I insist on taking my sweet time because it’s the only healthy way.
All five of the therapist I’ve seen tell me they agree.
It’s part of a traumatic life, it’s ok to have a sad life if you can keep your sense of humor and not hide behind it like Robin Williams did.
Keep people laughing, especially yourself, and have the courage to be vulnerable and honest.
Don’t worry about letting men down easy, they’re too clingy as is.
You don’t yank the wax off slowly, and your self absorbed boy friend needed a little character development.

he wants a sex slave.. Isn't it funny how middle eastern men are so preoccupied with sex.

Growing up, the TV was never shut off (I was born in a house with the television always on- Talking Heads). To this day, my relationship with tv is little like/ hate. I mean, I see it's usefulness. I also see it's wastefulness. Even into adulthood, when I'd visit my parents, it was always on. It was always the focus, where we sat. And it was loud. They wouldn't even turn it down, let alone off, for company!

I didn't go very far into a relationship with a woman about 3 years ago. Her TV was always tuned to WCIU ( Judge Judy, Jerry Springer...that sorta shit). The U! I moved on quickly.
PBS.... yes!

I've had spells of no TV for long periods of time. And it's limited now what I watch...BS "news", the weather forecast, documentaries..... I've got a thing for murder mysteries ....woo hoo!
But it's never on for background or noise. (I am the slime on the video- Zappa) Either I watch it or it's off.

When it’s not a match it’s best to say so right away. I especially feel this way at my age. you did the right thing very succinctly and factually.

i figured there was elastic and cushions involved somehow.....padding.

Dodged a bullet