Are You Too Attractive for Online Dating?
If you’re becoming discouraged by a flood of inappropriate emails, crude messages, or flirty ‘winks’ that have been clogging up your online dating site inbox, chances are your profile picture has something to do with it. Attractive singles often generate unwanted attention on dating sites, so here are some practical ways to help you deal with it.
Be selective: There is no online dating rule that says you must respond to every single email you receive. If the volume of mail in your inbox has you feeling overwhelmed, set limits for the number of messages you’ll respond to or take a break from the site altogether.
Send a warning: Adding a line to your profile about your personal rules for introductory emails can go a long way. Consider firm declarations like, “I do not respond to winks,” “Tell me something about yourself in the subject line,” or “I’m not interested in discussing my profile picture so please don’t mention it.”
Be brutal: Triage is not just for trauma physicians. Sort emails based on cut-and-dried criteria like age, location, or employment status. It may feel shallow, but if you’re inundated with emails, you have to put a system in place or else risk dating overload.
Change your picture: Seems simple, but it’s a fine line between letting others know you’re attractive and garnering the wrong kind of attention. Remove any photos that might be suggestive – like ones that show you frolicking in your swimsuit on a sun-drenched beach – or think about using a picture that shows you in a casual setting.
