I think there's more pressure on men to send the initial message anyway seeing as women can pretty much have the pick of the bunch...
You would be surprised
When i used POF, i sent more messages to guys then what i received.
I went on a few dates. One guy i was seeing for a few weeks, two guys I met up with and we decided that we weren't really compatible and 1 guy i was going out with for 6 months.
Also used Zoosk on Facebook, and was seeing a guy off there for 3 months or so and another for a few weeks where I decided he wasn't what i was looking for (cause he was slightly unhinged).
The main problem i found was that guys (and more than likely girls, but i cant say) would say that they were looking for a relationship/ marriage/ to be with someone till the end of time and then on the 3rd or 4th date - or 5 1/2 months down the line, in one case - they would say there were after nothing serious or they would say "I didn't think we were that serious?!" (like it was a huge surprise after spending best part of 6 months together, meeting each others respective friends, spending money on trips away and birthday, Christmas presents....***ker)
My line to play, after this happening to me a few times, within the first few contacts with internet dating guys would be to ask:
- "So, what are you looking for really? I mean, why did you ultimately join [said dating site]? Some no strings fun? Or something serious?Just so we both know what we both looking for"
A bit forward I know, but it stopped the whole nasty business of having the uncomfortable conversation, cause you both knew,
BEFORE YOU MET, that you were both after the same thing
The other tip i will say is - using the age old phrase - don't put all your eggs in one basket in regards to emailing/ contacts.
My older sister tried internet dating and hated it. Reason being that she got chatting to a guy - through the site - and they seemed to be getting on so they swapped personal email addresses.
For about 2 weeks they were emailing back and forth everyday and it was all leading up to a first date (as my sister thought), then he didn't reply to an email...and she heard nothing from him and still to this day hasn't
Now i tried to tell her, that its pretty typical when using internet dating for this to happen, but it really knocked her already low confidence/ self esteem so she cancelled her subscription (friends reunited i think) and has never tried it since...
So try not to pin all your hopes on one person, keep your options open until you commit to a few dates, even then, play the field until you or they have decided whats going to happen
Note: i don't mean sleep around or anything, just keep your options open
In regards to the 'old fashioned' way of meeting people, i met the love of my life (and current boyfriend

) through friends of friends/ family - so it does still work
