For the past two months Specimen #1 and a few other friends have been urging me to try online dating because they feel that is the best way that I can meet new people. My reply is, “I don’t want to meet the ‘generic’ new people. I want to meet new people that the people I already know have prescreened.” Especially, considering I am a single mother.
As I have already stated, my friends do not know anyone that meets my qualifications (Specimen #1 says he knows people but then he would be jealous SMH). Anyway, my qualifications are not too extreme, and no I am not a snob, but my qualifications have taken shape over the past 10 years based on experience. They are as follows, in no specific order of priority: mature, psychologically sound, easy on the eyes, independent (i.e. does not live in their parents’ basement), 26-36 years of age, employed, and holding a Master’s degree or higher. I am sure the last requirement is raising some eyebrows; even my “beloved” Mother commented that with each degree I earn, I wipe out another subsection of the global male population. I guess she will really be crying at graduation when she watches her almost 30 year old daughter obtain that PhD in 2 years. The fact of the matter is that every man I have dated lacks a degree (on a side note Specimen #2 has a Bachelor’s degree he is not putting to good use, but fails in some of the other important categories). This lack of degree translates into the majority of my exs’ having no understanding or appreciation for what I am trying to do and in some cases jealousy because they believe I am more successful. The result is that these men start trying to compensate for their educational shortcomings by sabotaging mine in an effort to bring me down to their level. It obviously hasn’t happened.
So I took all these qualifications and presented them in a manner that was toned down and started my very own online dating profile. And yes, as a feminist, I was extremely ambivalent about creating my own advertisement and I ultimately didn’t sell very well and yes it did feel like a form of online prostitution but here it is:
I am a hardworking and dedicated 26 year old PhD candidate /single mom. I am interested in meeting people that are educated, motivated and actually know what is going on in the world. People have described me as witty but I find myself to be a little on the sarcastic side. Overall, I am pretty laid back and not too nerdy for a PhD candidate, although I do have my moments. I am an excellent cook and know how to keep a clean house and an organized life. I am extremely social and enjoy hanging out and going places with my friends and family but at the same time can equally appreciate a quiet evening at home.
I also added that people should message me if they have a similar background and are looking for a long-term relationship/friendship. Then I selected two pictures, one with my hair straight, and one with my hair curled, that are representative of what I look like on a daily basis.
As you can imagine after succumbing to the demands to try online dating, I really feel as if I am giving into yet another hallmark of patriarchal-capitalism. I get to be the commodity on the dating “stock-exchange.” The best part is I got to objectify myself first before being objectified by others (sarcasm). Talk about double-entanglement.
I have been messaged 7 times in the past 5 days of having this profile up. All 7 make some remark about me being “cute,” having “nice pics” or saying you’re “gorgeous.” A few even included phone numbers and IM user names. One went like this, “Hi how you...very nice pics, are are you single? “ First of all, you can’t be remotely educated because of course I am single; I am on the online dating site!!! PASS. Another went like this, “Hi cutie, how are you doing?” My answer in my mind, “Cutie is not a good first pick-up line, my cat is cute, my child is cute and I was doing fine until you pissed me off by messaging me with that bullshit.” RUN FAST. For those of you wondering, the other 5 messages where equally ridiculous and degrading.
Am I flattered? No. Am I disgusted? Yes. Not one of them described anything about themselves such whether they are educated etc. I could do this at the bar and at least get a drink or two out of it. I am starting to think with the responses I have received thus far that perhaps as time goes on, my stock value is depreciating on the general market and on the online exchange it is absolutely tanking.