Below are a few options I've tried over the years and on which I would love feedback. :)
A) The Clever Approach (circa 2004):
Looking For My Knight in Tarnished Armor:
So what exactly is a tarnished-armored knight? Thought it was all about the shiny guys? No way - my knight is the nice guy that has a just a hint of the bad boy in him. Someone who has jumped into Life with both feet and isn't worried about getting a little bit dirty in the process. He's not looking for a prissy princess who's happy on her perfect pedestal. He's comfortable with the princess who's as likely to join in a game of football as she is to watch. He appreciates a woman who enjoys some level of pampering but doesn't always expect to be spoiled.My knight enjoys a good debate and won't get defensive simply because I have a different opinion. He recognizes my independent streak and my need to make my own mistakes. He is insightful enough to know when I need help slaying my dragons and when I need to tackle them on my own. He will be chivalrous enough to open doors for me from time to time, but isn't offended if I open one for myself. He appreciates my old-fashioned characteristics as much as my more liberal ones. He too is old-fashioned in some aspects of his personality, but isn't machismo personified. He is a strong man - strong in heart, strong loyalty, strong opinions, strong sense of himself. While we may not end up living "happily ever after," we may develop a new friendship. And is there ever anything wrong with increasing your circle of friends? So, while I'm not quite a damsel in distress ... I wouldn't refuse being "rescued" from being single.
B) The Blog Profile aka "short & sweet"(current):
I am a dreamer. Dreams are wonderful things...they can lift you up, motivate you, drive you forward. They can also come crashing down around you. The challenge is learning how to pick up those pieces, put them back together and dare to dream again.
C) For the short-attention span readers (current - OKCupid!):
What I am:
* smart
* funny
* creative (on good days)
* tall
* compassionate
* stubborn
* independent
* adventurous
* emotional (on my not-so-good days)
* tenderhearted
* tolerant
* open-minded (usually)
* a wanderer
* educated
* trusting (sometimes gullible)
* a klutz
What I am not:
* needy
* a game player (of the "mind game" variety, but I love kickball)
* a gourmet cook
* looking to be rescued
* mean-spirited
* a mother (ok - i *do* have 4-legged furry children)
* a snob
* a religious zealot
* an athlete (but i love to be active)
Note: you can see the whole thing at http://www.okcupid.com/profile/fullofadventure
The best way to describe me is that at the end of my life I don't want to look back and say "I wish I had …" or "I should have …". A positive attitude, a love of adventure, an appreciation of the beauty surrounding me and a fun-loving attitude make sure that doesn't happen. Oh and cheese...cheese makes everything better.
I have a quirky sense of humor and am looking for someone who not only understands that, but can feed it with his own intelligent wit. I have been told I have a kind and compassionate heart. I'm also a "fixer" by nature. Maybe that's why I find myself so involved in volunteer work for a variety of organizations and causes. I'm also an animal lover. I'm the one who stops to help turtles get across the road safely.
I have my old-fashioned moments, with a dash of "modern girl" thrown in for a little kick. For instance, I like to feel "girly" and appreciate a door being held open for me; however, I also have a decent collection of power tools that I use to tackle random DIY projects around my house.
I am looking for someone who shares my sense of wonder at the world we live in. Someone who loves to travel - whether it be overseas or over in the next county (there's adventure to be found every day and everywhere). Someone who knows what chivalry is, but isn't intimidated by an independent woman(ok ... and just a little hard-headed at times).
I value my family and friends. I am blessed to have some amazing people in my life (some by choice, others by accident). I have a good life and am happy, I just am looking for the right man with whom to share it ... someone who makes my good life better.
Suffice it to say - none of these have been wildly successful. ;) (Also, please feel free to point out typos or grammatical errors that should be corrected. My own pet peeve and yet I miss them most of the time in my own profile).
i like D.
ReplyDeleteThey all sound great. To a woman. Who likes to read. Men scan profiles. Or at least that is what many of them have told me. So what are they looking for? Things that reflect their own taste or level of activity. In my profile I mentioned that I loved to go hiking and weekends would find me in the middle of the woods trying to figure out if I could indeed climb that rock. I was contacted by men who were outdoorsy or who like to play sports and work out. When I said I'd love to find someone who could finally teach me how to play pool, it made it easy for guys to start an email conversation. Saying "must like dogs" sounds less frightening than "mother to furry children". Yeah, this may sound harsh to some, but guys start thinking "oh no. not one of those obsessive dog lovers who dresses up their dog and pushes it around in a stroller". Definitely drop the "fixer" bit. Men get defensive because no one wants to think they need to be fixed and if they do think so, they are probably already seeing a therapist and on meds. Mention some of the places you have traveled. If he has been to some of those places it gives him fodder for his response to you. And lastly, give examples of what makes you "girly" vs Home Depot Deb. "One weekend may find me at the spa with my friends indulging in a mani/pedi, the next destroying said mani hanging the new screen door with my trusty DeWalt". The imagery is instant while reading and more likely to remain with him once he has completed the profile. Plus all he will probably glean is "mani", "spa" "screen door", "tools" = girly but handy.
ReplyDelete~Petrona