OK Cyrano…I mean, Cupid
My foray into the world of online dating was relatively quick and painless (I went on a grand total of one dates before realizing no one was going to measure up to the guy who helped me create my online dating profile).
However, the deluge of messages I received in that short span gave me a good idea of the time, energy and damned determined optimism it could take to find a person you might be able to tolerate having a cup of coffee across from, let alone see on a regular basis. Check out Sofi’s adventures at Sexy Typewriter if you don’t believe me.
I tried not to be too much of a stickler in terms of grammar and spelling, because I have many wonderful friends who are definitely deserving of love, despite their hideous misuse of the English language, and Heaven knows I’ve been known to throw around a sentence fragment or two, but after clicking through dozens of “Hey, u r cute”s, a coherent, well-written sentence or two was not to be overlooked. If someone had written me anything even mildly amusing, I might have proposed on the spot.
So I was conflicted when a journalism school pal of mine told me about his latest writing gig.
My friend, who happens to be quite funny and charming and kind, and definitely comes across this way in his writing, has been hired to write some guy’s online dating profile as well as write the guy’s communications with the women he hopes to date. He’ll get a bonus for each date set up through the site.
While I had to laugh at the fact that my friend appears to have involved himself in the plot of a romantic comedy, I did have some concerns.
Namely:
“Um, you’re a pimp now?”
And:
“So you charm these women online and then they go on a date with this guy only to be horribly disappointed when he’s nothing like you…or does he just murder them right away?”
Then I felt sympathetic and thought perhaps he’s a really lovely man who is just a terrible writer, and is trying to find a way to get a foot in the door. Maybe it wasn’t so bad.
No.
This guy’s reasoning for “outsourcing” (his word) his online dating communication was that he is simply too busy with some big project he’s taken on.
Yeah. He sounds like a prince.
What do you guys think? Would you ever consider contracting out some part of your lovelife? And how would you feel if you found out you were on a date with someone who had?
I would be full of rage!! I don’t like being tricked.
I don’t think you should outsource your love life!
I would certainly be puzzled if I met a guy online and he doesn’t sound like the guy that writes his own profile. I think the guy that hired your friend should at least proofread the profile and make the necessary adjustments (and study it before meeting the women). I’m thinking if somebody else is hired to do the groundwork for you, it may be somewhat acceptable but I’d probably be against having someone write it word for word for you.
I’d be so disappointed! The guy just sounds plain lazy. If you’re too “busy” to try and make a connection with someone, then what’s the point?
That guy is an asshat. If he’s too busy to write a couple emails, he’s too busy to date and should take his lousy self off the market. Here’s the thing, dating (no matter what the realm) takes time and energy. Personally, I found a lot of luck in the online dating world (after many years of it, I finally met my husband that say). I don’t blame people who don’t want to venture that route. But, to use the excuse that it takes too much time is silly – we can all make the time for the things that matter the most to us.