A Slippery Slope

When I embarked on this crazy idea, it worked well to have people choosing the guys for me on Match. It allowed me to "wink" at people I wouldn't necessarily have been interested in before. It meant that the perceived rejection when the winks weren't returned was diminshed. I didn't feel the sting that I might have otherwise, because "this wasn't my choice anyway."

It became a bit addictive, how many people could I find that might catch my attention. But after reading enough profiles I realized that winking wasn't good enough. I took another step... emailing. I started small, sending a few emails to the ones that really stood out and just winking at others. I would occasionally get a wink back or an email here and there, but it wasn't turning into much. I changed gears again... more emails. Next thing I knew I was one of those serial emailers! Where did I lose control of this situation?

On the other hand, what's interesting is that the site seems to pay attention to my activity level because when I am sending more emails, I seem to be getting more winks and emails from others too. Maybe serial emailing isn't so bad after all.

To Email or Not to Email...

That is the question.  When someone writes to me and I am definitely not interested in the person (too old, different interests, not someone I'm attracted to, etc.) what do I do?  I understand it's hard to send an email to someone (I've had the twisted stomach anxious feeling myself when I press send) but is it better to be rejected kindly, too the point, or is it best to just ignore it completely? I guess I would prefer a nice email if it were me (even a lie about currently dating someone would be appreciated).  But in my head I'd like to say: 

Dear toosexy69,
Thanks, but no thanks. I'm just not sure we have anything to TALK about.

Dear Calling1973,
Although I really appreciate the courage it must have taken to send this email (assuming you didn't just send it to everyone that you found attractive, because really you said absolutely nothing that pertained to me in particular in the five lines you did send).  I'm just not sure that we would be a good match.  Good luck with your serial emailing, errr, I mean dating.

Dear joesmith2011,
Seriously you put amicable in your headline? Since you really don't say anything at all about yourself in your profile and you don't really include a very good picture, I think I will stay equally as bland with my response. Stay amicable.

Dear pappa65,
I think you should be ruled out specifically because you are the same age as my father. I realize you didn't actually send me an email but I noticed you checked out my profile - even though my age is listed quite clearly (Yes, I know you looked. Technology is amazing isn't it?).  I think I need to logout now. And just to make sure I'm clear this is not an email that suggests I'm interested, I'm not into the Hugh Hefner thing...  good luck with your search though.