I would give advice, but judging by the dates I've had, I obviously don't know what the f*** I'm talking about.

I just tend to list interests as i think it's down to individuals ... for me a lot is how people communicate. If they don't do that well i may not be so interested so i don't want to give a lot away. They can deceide if i am witty or kind, if i am bright or dumb as a rock lol. I don't think it's up to me to put up my qualities in that sense as people should make up their own mind relating to their values. Frankly if they can't tell either what is the point lol!! ))))

Just my personal preference, but I dislike profile pics that are made with a Snapchat filter. I Want to see you. Not what you look like with a big red nose and puppy dog ears.

Pictures of you doing what you are passionate about.
Profiles that honestly tell what you are about, love to do, and what you are possiby looking for.
Get involved with the community here and share yourself making new friends!

One word emails are a definite turn-off. So is commenting on how big my boobs are (one of the reasons why I very rarely have a true picture on my profiles).

I don't mind reading about your life's philosophy, however I am more interested in what we have in common. If I you write that we're perfect for each other, then back it up with why your feel that way.

Obvious form letter are a deal braker. Come on guys, women are NOT stupid and can tell if you are sending them a letter that you've sent to hundreds of others. We want to feel somewhat special.

All of my profiles state that I'm looking for friends first; if things click then we can discuss relationship terms. If your profile/email screams sex, I will not consider you. I'm not against sex, but at my age it's not the main component of what I'm looking for.

I don't really care if you don't have a picture. Pictures can be faked along with profile information. If you don't produce a picture when I ask, then we have a problem. Since I don't mind open relationships, THEY HAVE TO BE OPEN WITH EVERYONE. I will insist on speaking/meeting the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend before dating. If you give excuses, that means (to me) that they don't know and I will tell you to get lost.

You're right Grace now that we are growing I'm getting messenging from people that is on the odd/unusual/unorthodox side. Recently a guy younger than my daughter, a swinging couple and some inquisitive members have contacted me. I'll message with anyone but maybe we need to put monogomous at the top of the page. Thought being in my profile was enough.

Was on a dating site for a little while a couple of years ago - saw lots of "older" men who would say they were looking for a woman who looked as good in her little black dress as she did in her skinny jeans. ?????? WTH? I could have understood it if any of them looked like George Clooney.....was pretty funny, actually. I had a hard time creating a profile - humor, like many other things, is in the eye (and ear) of the beholder and I think some guys just didn't know what to make of me. But my biggest complaint was about the flat out lying - and the number of "scammers" that were on those sites.

I've been seeing a lot of profiles lately where the person substitutes their Briggs Myers letters in lieu of actually saying something about themselves. That's a pass for me. And don't use a picture where you are holding a gun! Using text abbreviations instead of spelling out your words is a no go for me. I'm also pretty aware of if you're language, spelling, and syntax don't match up with where it says you're from. That's is usually a big red flag that the person it probably a catfish.

Alot depends on personal objectives I think.

My life is a mess right now and I'm afraid if I don't reach out to establish friendships, when I do get my life more orderly, I won't know anyone.

So, mostly I'm battling isolation I think. So I don't know if my do's and don'ts are the same as everyone else's or not. I think probably not.

I should probably add I have that affliction where I hate my own photo. So I try to express humor since handsome isn't really an option. ?

You have 5 seconds to make a good impression. People will see your main photo as a tiny pic the size of a saltine cracker on their cell phone screens. If your main photo is not clear, bright and attractive, they move on.

A genuine smile is inviting, warm and appealing. Prospective dates want to see your eyes and smile.

If you look happy in your photos, people will see you as a fun person they will enjoy being around.

To make you stand out, the background should contrast with your hair color. For better photos, choose a background that is clean and uncluttered.

You also need a recent, full length picture, again smiling and looking at the camera. Other pictures should show you outdoors, doing activities you enjoy. No hats, sunglasses, alcohol or stupid poses. You must be in every picture.

Thinking about it there are several things that turn me off initially to a profile; no smile- looks like a mug shot or you want to tear someones head off, sunglasses- I want to see your eyes, and pics of your Ferrari, boat, plane, and motorcycle- I'm not into pretentious men.

Don't lie

Wow....I had no idea I was giving someone the idea I was an alcoholic...it's just that I don't get my photo taken very often....unless I am out with friends....and that includes a cocktail. Yikes.

Don't let fear keep that special someone from loving the real YOU!

I didn't create my profile for a dating site. I would not rule out someone if we got it off and seemed compatible, but realistically I don't see that happening. For me, this site is basically an internet forum.

I know I need to rewrite my profile, it’s kind of a drag, but I think my pics are good. Well not that good, I mean it is just me in em, the real me. I try to leave messages with profiles I look at but many times have gotten no response. That is either no interest or a bunch of people have overwhelmed them and they are buried in messages, that’s discouraging. To me I like to communicate with people, I probably say too much.

More random thoughts about the whole dating site thing....
The majority of men on there (at that time anyway) were saying they were looking for a woman who loved the outdoors - hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, etc etc. To me - It begged the question - do you think their first (or other) relationships tanked because they spent too much time indulging their passion for the great outdoors? So one evening - after a particularly frustrating day, I responded to that by saying that in my younger years, I did it all - camping every weekend, etc - but at this point in my life, the only hiking I do is the half mile walk to my mailbox, the only camping I want to do is at the Hilton Garden Inn, and as for fishing - hmmmmm - maybe fishing for compliments? Obviously meant to be funny - equally obvious was how many guys have no sense of humor.

A recent, clear photo is a definite must, as is a completed profile. Without either, I won't respond. I'm a visual creature and if I don't like what I'm looking at, I'm not interested. Probably why I've been single for almost 30 years, but "oh well". The "strong, silent type" should pass me by. I want someone who can carry on a conversation. Proper/correct English is important to me. Misspelled words or text talk spelling just tells me that you are uneducated and happy to stay that way (whether you actually are or not). I understand that not everyone can spell, but it doesn't take much to use a spellchecker. I am a lifelong learner. I don't/won't learn to hunt, but in general, it's a wide open, interesting world out there. Teach me something...DON'T be a Trump supporter. We are on completely different ends of that spectrum. Don't have your first post enquiring as to bra size, jean size, etc. No butt/chest/crotch shots, or shots with an obviously held in gut. I just find that really tacky. Don't try to ghost me. If I'm doing all the work, or I have to wait for a long time between contact then I'm out of there. That includes whether we're just texting or actually reached the relationship stage. Attention is important and if I'm not getting it from the one I'm with, I'll find someone else to be with.

I agree to all of the above.

One thing I've really noticed in my short experience of looking at profiles of guys in my age range--fellas, try not to use something blurry that looks like someone's last known photograph. Or a mug shot. Or a photo of you taking a picture of you in a mirror. If there is nobody who will help you get a nice, friendly-looking, flattering photo of yourself it makes me wonder if you have any actual friends or family to take a nice pic of you. If you need help with this, ask your teenage children. Or a gay friend. Or a straight female friend. It doesn't have to be stagey or dishonest.