just out of sheer curiosity, I was wondering if dating sites actually worked? Ive joined a few and I dont know, maybe its just me, but usually end up starring at an empty inbox. Anyone got any input??

They do work, but not for everyone. If you're willing be put in the effort, it will work, if not it won't.

Well you see someone that interests you, so you message, wink, or whatever little quirk the site offers and......nothing, so you repeat, but I was just curious if people on these sites are only looking for a very specific type of person.

Some are very picky, some are not so picky. And get used to the no response thing, you'll get that more than a response.

Definitely used to that

Just keep trying, you'll find what you're looking for.

thanks for the tip

It's just like any other place you go into.

The common denominator is you.

About messages and winks -- Like many other people here, I have quickly gotten tired (or maybe bored) with receiving "nudges" and "winks" from a person but NO EMAIL. If a man is interested in my profile, I'd like him to at least make the effort to put a few words together into a sentence. Then I have at least a clue as to whether I should overlook the usual big age difference/huge distance problem that he has already ignored. If you want to actually meet someone, you have to put yourself out there a little bit.

it worked for me...took about 10 years but it worked

Yep. Sending only nudges will generally only get you ignored.

Yes, they can work. Friends of mine met through an online dating site and they've been married a few years now and are still very happy

Okay, then... as a reader, I too, would like to know more about HOW you made it work for you -- for those of you are successful like ManOfFewWords... how do you use the site?

Obviously, posting a picture and filling out the profile is not sufficient. And we've already heard that nudges and winks don't work.

So if it's not "giving away your man-secrets", do tell!

I don't think there's any magic to it. On a site like this, people tend to find others they get along well with through the forums, then step away from the forums to get to know each other.

On a site with more locals, meeting sooner, rather than later works well.

From a purely female point of view.

Put a recent pic of yourself not one that is 10 years old or more.

Be honest about yourself.

Learn to read between the lines - that can tell you more than is actually written.

If someone replies/contacts you that you like, chat online for a while and when you feel comfortable perhaps swap phone numbers.

If that goes good, then arrange to meet in a public place. That way not only is it safer but takes a lot of the pressure off too (recently didn't take my own advice and it was a disaster LOL).

If all goes well then

Just one more thing to add...dammit why are all the nice and good looking guys in America and not in the UK

My sentiments exactly

Seriously, I don't think there's a universal formula to success on dating sites...just the luck of the draw.

What I will say (and I'm not practicing what I'm preaching on this one), is that from my experience on other sites, it is about contacting anyone that interests you on an ongoing basis.

You may want to take your own advice and put up a picture.

As for reading between the lines, don't try too hard. Chances are you'll read something that's not meant to be conveyed to begin with. Asking questions about what you want to know may work better.

Just haven't got round to putting up a picture yet but I will

Well, in MY experience if you don't use those "things" it may fall off.

Bad bad, didn't read the thread.

There ya go. Taken at a Halloween party last November