Yakkity Yak ... Don't talk back!

I have an interesting topic today ... rejection. I'm generally diplomatic when I need to be. So, if I get contacted by a guy whose photo or profile just does not appeal to me, I'm gracious enough to say "no thank you" immediately. No need to waste his or my time with pleasantries if I'm not interested. I don't go into a long explanation or say I don't like his photo or profile, I simply say "no thank you".

But more often than not, when I say "no thank you" I get a barrage of comments in return:
Why not?
What's wrong with you?
What's wrong with me?
Don't you just want to meet and see?

No means no, guys. It is rejection and it is normal! There could be any reason why your photo doesn't appeal to me or your profile doesn't seem like a match. Some examples: No, I don't want to go hunting and fishing with you every weekend; yes, I expect you to take off your baseball cap indoors; no, I don't like men with beards; or yes, I need a man who has a job.

Recently I had a guy who said hello to me online. He had no photo on his profile so I asked for one since his profile sounded nice. He said he was athletic and toned but his photo said something completely different! When he uploaded the photo and proceeded to plan a date with me, I politely said no thank you. I must have gotten a dozen e-mails afterward asking what was my problem, who did I think I was, I wasn't anything special to look at either, etc. etc. Dude, I just didn't like your photo. No, I'm not going to like you any more if we meet in person. In fact, I usually like guys a lot less when I meet in person because the photo they upload is supposed to show you in a great light. Reality is usually less flattering :-)

We are not in grade school. Take your rejection like a man (or like a woman) and remember that life ain't fair. Just because you like a person online does not mean they like you back. Be an adult enough to take that person's "no thank you" as a gift (they didn't waste your time by leading you on) and move on to the next person who might reciprocate your "like".