Question for those that have tried OLD

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Question for those that have tried OLD
4
Thu, 08-10-2006 - 4:45pm

I have been on and off of Match for 2 1/2 years now. I have always posted a picture because I get more responses that way obviously. Now, I am contemplating getting back on again to see who I find. However, being that I have been a member for a while and that I have dated or talked to a lot of guys from Match, I really don't want to post my picture unless they ask for it. I know I won't get a lot of responses this way but it's okay. I want to see how many guys want to get to know me by what I have written and not just by looks. I KNOW that visual attraction is the first thing that takes place but I'm leery about putting my picture out there yet again. Now for the question. lol For those of you who have been on Match and Yahoo or on any other personals site, who has placed their picture out there in order to get a lot of responses? Who did not put their picture out there and still found someone?

I live in a small town so people obviously recognize you from the web if they see you out in public. That is why I want to know if I should put my picture out there again and what you ladies did.

Thanks!
Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2004
Thu, 08-10-2006 - 5:24pm
I have had times with my pic on but most of the time I have been OLD I did it without a pic because it started to worry me that someone would recognize me through my job or at church or I dont know where! I liked not having my picture on because it gave me the control of searching the guys out and writing them which is fine by me. Then if a few emails passed back and forth I would send the pic. This has never caused a problem as far as I know. I assume that if a guy was really paranoid about looks he just wouldnt respond to someone without a pic on their profile but there are so many people on these sites it didnt seem like losing a few possibilities was that much of a loss to me. We have to all remember that before the OLD thing started, we really were meeting very few people at a time when we went out or got set up.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Thu, 08-10-2006 - 5:47pm

I have tried OLD and given up. But I think that may have more to do with my locale - I live near 2 large cities and we have a more transient population. Plus I am in an older age bracket with a receded dating pool. And then to make matters worse, I have an intense interest in being fit. I think the younger more vanilla types who are more family oriented have much better luck.

But men are visual - in my opinion you really need a great picture. I always had a ton more responses with a picture. And I like that someone would be attracted to my picture in addition to what I write.

Perhaps since you have been on there a while, something new is in order. Maybe it can be a little creative so you are not so recognized? Maybe with a hat? Only single people are going to see you - the average joe is not going to log onto match.com to see who is up there - so you have to get over that. Unless of course there is a real reason like you don't want to run into your ex or a stalker!!

Some people on here have met the love of their lives doing OLD - so I don't want to discourage you - but I know I am done because I did OLD dating for 2 years and just got tired of the process and who I would meet. I am destined to keep myself very busy and meeting new people so I will meet someone in real life doing what I am doing. I am also not in a rush. And I am grateful that I have come to a point where my life is so full that I don't feel lonely that often.

Whatever you do, good luck and keep us posted. We could use some fun stories to liven things up around here!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thu, 08-10-2006 - 8:34pm
The first time I tried OLD I didn't want to post a picture.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 10:08am

Thanks for all of your responses. They were very helpful. :) I think what I may do is not post a pic right away to see what I end up with and what I find. I may take some of the pics I have now of myself that are current and that I haven't used out there and keep them in one folder for future use when I do actually send them to a guy.

I know that in my experience with Match, sometimes I wouldn't look closely at a profile if it didn't have a picture but I HAVE sent emails or winks to some without pics. When they sent their pic it was fine. The thing that bugs me about the guys OL is that they don't always tell the truth about their height! lol Have y'all noticed that? :) Funny.

I'll give y'all an update whenever I get back OL and start talking to people. I'm in no rush to find someone but it would be nice to meet some nice people.

Jennifer