You know, Hip, I've read some of your posts describing yourself as a person who grew up in a farm environment, and who wore a medical device as a teenager--no social butterfly, as I understood it.

I read this today, and I just had to respond. My experience on the Internet is that it's a whole lot easier to jerk people around on the Internet. Dating real people is hard enough, but it gets really bizarre in cyberspace.

Even though you've described yourself in some of your posts as being socially awkward, you write quite well--obiously not a dummy.

What's the problem with getting out there with real women? People do meet, and date, successfully, on line, but spread out your options to women who can see friendliness, intelligemce amd interest in your eyes.

Iam sorry that happened to you Hip....rejection is hard...I got stood up a couple of weeks ago...I even waited 35 min. longer...not even a call...he put a block on me I couldn't email him though the website and finally deleted his whole profile....lol...it's kind of funny the thing people do so they don't have to say..No! Iam not interested or I've changed my mine or I've met someone else...It's ok...i've moved on....keep the faith Hip...it will happen

Your experience sounds pretty typical to me. Online dating casts a wide net, but many people who respond are flakes.

I'm sorry that you were stood up New. At least with the block you got the 'hint' that it was totally over.

I'll keep the faith if you will!

Poor Hip. I"m friendly, intelligent AND would go out on a date with you. I won't even stand you up. I'm very honest!!! However, please don't tell me how to run my life, what areas of my life I need to improve on, or that you want to move in with me, shortly after the first date. Let's save that sort of stuff for when we mutually agree that we want to be exclusive. Also, don't embarass me by stopping by drunk and acting like a small child and stripping outside my door. I do live in a neighborhood where there are children.

Yes, the internet does cast a wide net and there seems to be more and more flakes by the day.

I tried meeting people online through various sites, and it appears I only attract scammers... men who only responded from a script even when we "chatted" online - i got the standard lines. Some of them even admitted it when confronted.

I think I'm finding that the best way for me to meet men is through good friends who know me. They don't have to "fix me up", just let me meet their friends that they trust... the more people I meet, the more chances I have to meet some nice men.

But just for fun, I'm going to try speed dating next month.

Good luck, Hip!

Debbie; I wouldn't tell you how to run your life even if we are exclusive. I haven't been drunk in many years, so would never embarass you that way.

Jim