In terms of listening... if you can explain to someone else what they 'know' in such a way that they 'agree' with your explanation, then you have understood them.

Plenty of people listen without understanding. Plenty of people think they 'know' without even listening.

I have phases in an out of the site, like if I am dating someone, or if I go through a period where I don't want to date for awhile.

What annoys me is that messages seem to disappear from my inbox when I am inactive, so that if I don't log in for awhile, and someone sent me a message, that message disappears and I never get it.

I might have been interested in those people! I don't like to date several people at once, but I don't mind a salutation. Wouldn't you rather hear from me later than not at all? Maybe there should be a button for "actively looking" vs "dating someone" vs "taking a break" or whatever.

*waves a hand*

Bellevue