You may have seen the ads for computer-geared dating services which have sprung up like dandelions, with even AARP getting in on the matchmaking. These "services" have found, in the past few years, that there is a viable market in senior matchmaking, so the trend has exploded.
In little McCall, Idaho, for example, there is even a monthly newsletter especially for "outdoor singles" aged 19 to 90. In Lewiston, Idaho, near where I live, there is Dotty's Friendship Club for ages 18 to 80 (free photos taken), as well as a Christian Singles organization and a New-90s Singles group. The 18-to-80 and 19-to-90 limits seem a stretch of age overlap to me, with very different generations with not much in common and very different ideas about life and living. And I doubt it is set up that way to foster May-December type romances.
If you haven't read any personals columns, which have made their way from the trash mags to the general daily newspapers, and even a couple magazines (which formerly wouldn't print them), you have missed some imaginative and sometimes creative writing. Suffice it to say, most of us see ourselves in a much better light than others might, so we may tend to tell our profiles like we would like them to be.
The original reason for regular newspapers not printing personals, I understand from my research, goes back to the turn of the century when Bells Poulsdatter Sorensen Gunns (nee Grunt) of LaPorte, IN, reportedly killed 16 (known) victims who had answered her lovelorn ads in the Personals Column. Now, however, such columns are needed additional advertising revenue and few newspapers can afford to turn that down anymore, no matter how it is packaged.
Personal ads may often be facetiously called "desperation dating", but the fact is they often work! I talked with several people who had submitted such ads, and read a lot more of them, to see how people package themselves. Ads ran the gamut.
Some people were looking for perfection: "STOP. This could be your opportunity. DWF (ad shorthand for "Divorced White Female") looking for gentleman 45-60 who is kind, humorous, thoughtful, neat, adventurous...looking for permanent situation." or "Mature black female, considered attractive, great personality, talented, honest, kind, sincere, faithful, monogamous, self-employed, likes the better things in life. Would like to meet a gentleman 60-69 with same qualities, plus neat, healthy, intelligent,wears great looking shoes".
Others haven't been so particular: "Wanted--alive and active, a gentle man, non-smoker, for happy, loving lady of 50 with sense of humor. Shining armor and white horse optional". Or "One is the loneliest number there ever is. If you are a lonely lady 65-95 please call this lonely old man, which has slowed considerably with arthritis. We can be telephone friends, maybe more". Or "Attention gentle man, 45-55, who is alive. Baby bird soon to fly nest; happy, fun-loving mom with sense of humor looking for non-smoker who likes outdoors, traveling, movies, cooking, country music".
Some use wry humor to catch attention: NICE PEOPLE DON'T RUN PERSONAL ADS, I thought. Why not? I'll take a chance if you will.". Or "Hi. Are you out there? Can't find you!...Please find me". Or "Hey, Grandma, why don't you call a grandpa and maybe we could break the lonely cycle, exchange experiences, a few laughs".
Some are pretty pragmatic: "Bachelor, mid-50s, retired, basically mild-mannered stay-at-home type, non-smoker and drinker, not much on sports, 20 pounds overweight, likes the simple things, work around the home, cards, dinner and some travel. Sound boring, huh? Looking for a lady about the same age with mild, pleasant, positive attitude, that's interested in the above for hopefully a permanent relationship".
Some just like to travel, not alone: "Retired 55-year-old looking for tull time RV traveler. I'm seeking a good looking lady to travel with, who doesn't smoke or drink, and will share expenses".
(To be continued.)
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