What puzzles me: someone shows up as a Mutual Match. You send a warm note. "Let's get acquainted." You don't hear back, not even a "Thanks for getting in touch." Why did they bother mutualing matching you in the first place?

Someone sends you three warm, sincere notes. Each time, you reply warmly and sincerely. You're not putting each other on. You're really starting to get acquainted. You find you have a number of interests and experiences in common. It seems you actually like each other. They say they're looking for a long-term, loving relationship, not just casual dating. Okay, sounds good. They've seen your pic and your profile. Presumably your appearance hasn't turned them off. Then... nothing. You write again: are you okay, do you want to want to keep communicating? No reply. What's the point?

I have the impression that most women on sites like these, let's say women over the age of 50, get contacted frequently and are very picky and choosy about whom they'll respond to. Fair enough. But if they feel that the guy who's contacting them isn't a flake, why not return courtesy with courtesy?

A woman who knows she wants a relationship with a guy who's her equal and who knows that, at her age, neither she nor any partner will ever be perfect will have plenty of quality guys expressing an interest in getting to know her. If she truly wants the integrity, honesty, care and passion she routinely says, in her profiles, she wants, she won't snub even the least attractive guy who contacts her. With an integrity of her own, she's reply to each one if only to say good luck.

Girls can be forgiven many things. Not so a woman who aspires to be a loving, caring adult. The same, of course, goes for us guys who aspire to be loving caring adults as well.