Sunday, March 30, 2008

My New Online Opener

Online dating is a weird world. Often, you know a _lot_ about someone (e.g. religion, inclination for children, salary) before even contacting them.

Thankfully, the online world plays to my strengths as a writer. (In contrast to the bars where I've had to concoct a lot of stunts and tricks -- I'm neither tall nor burly so the physical factor just isn't there.)

Online, the first email is key. The ladies are usually inundated with messages/smiles/winks from guys who just carpet-bomb in the desperate hope that something will happen.

In the past, I've used a classic "dinner guest" icebreaker. However, it is growing a little tired. It needed a shot in the arm.

So I gave it one. Here, it is.... You are welcome to answer the question for yourself in the comments. However the point is: does it catch your attention? Inspire you? Think more highly of the writer? (Those are, after all, the real goals)

Question:

If you could have dinner with 2 people (from history, famous, no rules), but had to give one poison and the other an aphrodisiac, who would you pick?

CC

ps. Later, I'll tell you what some people have told me.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmmmmm....not too sure about the question but does this mean you will no longer be the "international man of mystery"??

Unknown said...

Well...speaking as a girl who has done her share of online fishing... that would catch my interest! It is witty and smart and says quite a bit about the kind of person you are, and the kind of person you are looking for, as well.

Hegemom said...

Well, here's the rub (so to speak): you'll end up attracting a lass with no problems: a) watching a dinner guest die horribly; and b) use (presumably) unlawful means to obtain carnal knowledge of another. Otherwise, it's slick.

Anonymous said...

I've done a lot of online dating, and I have to say, I'm not a fan of clever questions in general. I personally don't like to be put on the spot, but better to do it over email than in person, I guess. It is a funny question, though, don't get me wrong.. very witty.. but, do you really want to know who she wants to make-out with?

-FNA

M Easter said...

Yow! This got a reaction (though no answers). Thanks for the notes everyone

re: international man of mystery?

My _profile_ is still the same. It is tired as well but I can't beat it. I guess I only have one good profile in me, and I do want to weed out anyone who doesn't like Canadians ;-) This post is about the opening email msg

re: kind of person looking for. True that.... see below

re: unlawful. Gah! What happened to chocolate, strawberries, and oysters?

re: makes out with? Yes. The answers are usually very revealing. It is true though that some people react to it like a test/exam or something and it is just a fun question.

Anonymous said...

David Bowie - aphrodisiac

Oscar Wilde - poison (I don't feel bad about killing the already dead)


So would that have made me date worthy?

Anonymous said...

if the aphrodisiac were given to a necrophiliac then your date wouldn't have to make out with anyone-iac :-).

still, i'm not a fan. e-mails that suggest the person was specifically interested in something about _my_ profile are what catch my attention. and anything that takes a while to think of a "good" answer will, well, significantly delay my answer :-).

ok. almost 1am and i'm testing a patient in the a.m...this is why i try to avoid the lure of blogs ;-). it's been a fun detour, though :-).

M Easter said...

@ Krunk. Real answers! Nice... as far as dateworthy, we should go for a drink and talk about it.

@ G. wow! A rare comment from the academic. lol re: necro.

M Easter said...

oh, btw, Krunk gets 1000 points for the Oscar Wilde reference