Benjamin Button? :-)

Owen is my age. He finds me on a dating site and e-mails me: “Good morning, Madam. You've got a very interesting and precise description of your personality; as far as your requirements towards your partner's personality are concerned, you are also very precise :-) I think I have such qualities, I am also a hunter so you wouldn't get lost in the woods with me... :-) Forgive me for being so bold, but I do not know the internet etiquette. Owen. Here is a flower for you (he encloses a virtual flower)”

Hmm, he's... weird! For a moment I feel like I'm in the 19th century – the way he writes... I don't know if he's joking or not. I'm also not sure whether it's me he wanted to write to – the description I wrote: “helpless romantic, loves good music, films & travelling” can hardly be called 'precise description of personality'. However, my requirements about my partner were more precise, I must admit: “I'm looking for a real man. Qualities required: loving, respectful, honest, intelligent and kind with a good sense of humour. I'm allergic to liars, cheaters and married guys”. I didn't write I had a soft spot for hunters. In fact, I don't like them. I love animals and I look after them. I cannot imagine even being friends with someone who hunts and kills them for sport (all the talks about 'controlling the population blah blah blah' are just an excuse in my opinion). I've read his message, but I don't want to write back.

Two days later I get another e-mail from Owen: “Good morning, Madam. Please, excuse me for writing to you and littering your mail; however, in my last message I have allowed myself to suggest engaging in 'written' conversation in order to get to know you better. If this seems too daring and immoral, forgive me for doing so, but I would like to know your opinion. Owen. Here is a flower for you (he sends me another virtual flower)”

What is THAT? The guy seems even weirder now, doesn't he? I can't believe he's my age! It feels like he's not 38, but 138 years old! Another thing – NO answer is THE answer, doesn't he know that? Does he really expect every girl he contacts to write back to him? Even if she's not interested? Oh, I've forgotten – he didn't place a photo in his profile, so I don't even know what he looks like – I'm curious whether his appearance matches his style of writing...

OK, if he wants an answer, I'll give him an answer: “Thank you for your message. It was neither too daring nor immoral. However, to be frank with you – you are not my type (we have no common interests). That is why I haven't replied to your earlier e-mail. I wish you good luck with dating. Jennifer”

Short and precise? Yes! Do I need to write about hunting, being too old-fashioned and weird? No!

Next day I get another message from him: “Thank you, Madam, for your honesty. You have a very interesting skill... So little information... Can you also predict movements on the stock exchange? :-) If you can, please give me some tips :-) Owen. Have a nice day”

What an asshole! No, I cannot predict movements on the stock exchange, but I can 'predict' whether I want to be in someone's company or not! I guess I should have written about hunting etc. The guy obviously doesn't get it! Oh well, I'll let another girl explain what we expect from quality guys.