Notice the match feature doesn't tell you who has matched you without buying it?
So how do people tentatively approach each other otherwise?

Sez here I have 3 matches.....so what? can't see them without paying.
So much for perfectly free.

Yet they've scraped all manner of personal info to sell to all the database compilers, and they've loaded down the pages with full colour ads from dozens of other meet sites, all of whom get paid or pay to be on the receiving end of your info.

Guess I'm getting a bit sad to be the product and not the customer.
Used to be you could go to a store, lay down your money and leave.
Now they make you tell all, and then follow you into the next store.
All while tattling about what you like to any one else who pays.

Is this really the way we do business of late?

Being a senior, I can easily remember when being private wasn't a terrorist threat. And when personal freedom to keep that stuff to yourself wasn't old fashioned, but even a source of pride.

Can't help but almost pity those under 30, they wouldn't get it, this is their normal.