Copy and Paste Your Pick-Up Line Here.

I know that it can be difficult or awkward to strike up a conversation with a stranger.  It's definitely a part of online dating that feels somewhat forced.  But you've got to do it sometime or you won't meet anyone right?

Probably if I were to go back and read the various initial messages I've sent there would be similarities between them - reoccurring questions I've asked and that sort of thing.  But I always write each message and try to make reference to the person's profile to show I've actually looked at who they are.

I've discovered that some people have a standard message that they use every time.  In fact, I'm convinced they literally cut and paste the message.  How do I know this?

Back in February, I got a message from "D_tiger".  He wrote:

"Some people are cute. And I get that. But u are SUPER cute! :)
Hi, how r u?"

The message was fine.  There was nothing particularly wrong with his profile.  I just wasn't interested.  I would have thought nothing of him after that except that three times since February I've gotten messages from him and each time it has said:

"Some people are cute. And I get that. But u are SUPER cute! :)
Hi, how r u?"

When you delete a message on the site, you can't see it anymore, but it is still saved somewhere.  Each time I've gotten the latest repeat message, it appears in a list with the previous messages and dates above it.  So I can clearly see he's sent the same message again and again . . . though apparently he hasn't noticed this . . .

At least D_tiger seems to have forgotten messaging me multiple times over the course of a few months.  "tmlfan3" seems to have an even shorter memory.  On May 6 he sent me this message:

"Hi there, I came across your profile and want to get to know you better :) You seem interesting. Wanna chat on MSN?! Hope to talk soon! :)"

Then on May 16:

"Hi there, I came across your profile and want to get to know you better :) You seem interesting. Wanna chat on MSN?! Hope to talk soon! :)"

And again today:

"Hi there, I came across your profile and want to get to know you better :) You seem interesting. Wanna chat on MSN?! Hope to talk soon! :)"

Then there's "to_guyyy" who clearly has the least self-awareness about his repetitiveness.  On May 14:

Hello. You look adorable. Can we talk? :)

Then on May 23, 1:00AM:

"Hello there. You look adorable and cute :) Can we talk?"

At least he added "there" and I'm also cute now . . . He wanted to talk to me so badly that only later that day (May 23, 4:12PM) he also sent:

"Hi there. You look adorable and cute :) can we talk?"

Maybe it's time these guys tried new messages.