I realize that reading the Personals is an odd recreational activity for an old married lady like me. But, hey, we all have our vices. It's akin to reading the Help Wanted ads when you already have a job. The pressure's off, and you can just relax and enjoy all of the quirky little details.

Some universal points I've noticed in my perusal of the Personals:

Most men think that they deserve younger women. In the "Men Seeking Women" ads in last Sunday's Examiner, about 20% of them specifically requested women 5 to 20 years younger -- no others need apply. I mean, what's up with that? A 56 year old man with no prospects can afford to be picky? Bottom line: a lot of aging Romeos out there are convinced that they're babe magnets.

Only good-looking, admirable, and appealing people advertise in the Personals. I don't recall ever seeing an ad like this: CAN I WEAR YOUR DRESSES? Homely, uncoordinated geek with outstanding collection of X-rated videos seeks brilliant supermodel for possible position as trophy wife. Must like Dukes of Hazzard re-runs and spending time with my Mom.

There are definite gender differences in the Personals: women compose better ads than men. They just do. Men treat their ads like job applications; women put their hearts into it. Compare the women's self-descriptions -- Daring Good Girl. . .Classy Russian. . .Redhead With a Lot of Sizzle. . . Leftist Writer/Activist -- to the men's Successful, Handsome DWPM. . . Retired Homeowner. . .or simply, Cool Guy. And compare these ads: SWEET ANGEL HEART. Pretty BF with long elegant legs, in living color, seeks honest, distinguished, secure gentleman and SUCCESSFUL SELF-EMPLOYED SWM seeks conscious female to grow in relationship. The former creates a visual image; the latter tends to render you, well, unconscious. Guys, take a clue. If you're placing an ad, have a woman write it for you.

 

Personal-ese	English translation
Handsome	Hogs the bathroom mirror
Attractive	Has…um… a nice personality
Youthful	Can hold in his stomach for an hour
Affectionate	All over you like a cheap suit
Fit	Looks like The Mummy but plays tennis
Versatile	Changes jobs frequently
Creative	Talented liar
Artistic	Unemployed
Erudite	Owns a dictionary
Witty	There once was a girl from Nantucket
Liberated	No objection to letting you pay
Sincere	You're looking well today, Mrs. Cleaver
Prefers no encumbrances	Doesn't like kids
Sensitive	Inconsolable when the Niners lose
Seeks Asian female	Has geisha fantasies
Seeks gentle woman	Looking for a broad who won't talk back
Likes to travel	Wanted in 10 states
Enjoys walks on the beach	Doesn't cost anything, and women like it
Financially secure	Got lucky at the slots in Vegas
Pierce Brosnan look-alike	Visually impaired

If you're concerned about your safety when answering ads in the Personals, take the advice of author Garrison Keillor, who wrote the following in Woebegon Boy:

In other words, give the Personals in Oslo a try.

-- Laverne Mau Dicker © 1999