Monday's with Arshia: Introducing a hassle free way to shop... for men

Yes you've heard correctly. Welcome to the world of Internet dating! 

My brush with this most interesting of pass times began about 3 years ago and via a recommendation from a girl friend. Yes, they're always the culprits. The most challenging bit was writing that all important 'dating headline'. It's not easy articulating your 'unique selling proposition' in a few lines so that it does justice to your innate intelligence, humour, oomph potential, style, fit friends, etc, etc. Hell, that's what copy writers are for right? Besides the guys are going to make a bee line for your picture anyways given what shallow bastards they are. But hey, in this game you just can't take any chances just in case you meet a deep one, so we crack on with the one liner. 

After multiple consultations and deliberations with the girl friends we finally settle on just the right amount of detail to put in the profile so we don't lose that air of mystery. Then comes the next part, we choose a respectable selection of photographs which evenly show case the well rounded individual we are. Pay your three month subscription fee because by then if you don't meet a selection of potentials then you need to upgrade from a Tesco to a Waitrose and done, we're ready to go! Now comes the fun part.

Dating etiquette for those who don't know where to start, begins with a subtle show of interest, you send a 'wink'. I compare it to scanning an unfamiliar aisle in a super market...say foreign food or something similar. There are all sorts of things there, stuff you can recognise and like and others you'd rather not go near. That's the male line up for you. So you sent or received a 'wink' from a can, oops, I meant man, you like. You then read the ingredients to make sure it does what it says on the tin. There's his profile and then the pre-requisite ski shot / marathon shot (I'm sporty), holding a baby (I'm a caring metrosexual), having a laugh with friends (I'm fun), in a tuxedo (I could be the next James Bond), sometimes if you're lucky you even have the top less shot (six pack anyone?). Like what you see, send an email, meet up for a drink, its easier to run if he turns out to be ever so slightly 'bruised' (think fruit and vegetables here). If you're satisfied with the goods then head for the check out! If not then, come back next week and do it all over again. 

Happy shopping, girl friend! 

Published by Arshia