# I have a crush on you! (long) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 20, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179 "2001-08-20T17:02:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/1 "2001-08-20T17:02:28Z")
That’s essentially what the email said. I got this email from [CrushLink.com](http://CrushLink.com), stating that somebody has a crush on me and I want to know who it is I need to go to their site. Normally, I’d put aside this puerile\* nonsense … but I’m tempted. So I register, and discover that I need to input the email addresses of _my_ “crushes” in order to find out if I have a “crushlink” – that is, if one of my “crushes” is the one who has a crush on me. But, they say they’ll give me hints… So, I input five email addresses (the other three of mine, one of my friends, and one fabricated one) to get a hint. My “crush”'s first name has five letters. Five fabricated email addresses and one registration for an online-gambling site (no credit card info asked for, so I think I’m safe, and they _did_ offer me a free subscription to _Stuff_), I now know that my “crush”'s last name has seven letters. Great. I’ve had a brilliant idea, and I start entering the addresses from all the spam mail my hotmail account gets (17 in the last 24 hours). 5 email addresses later, and I haven’t even been offered a hint. I’m starting to wonder, here… Another oddity is that the email went to my school address – one I only give to people from school (surprisingly enough). This makes it more intruiguing, but I still want to know who sent that first email. So, has anyone else ever used CrushLink? (Sent me an email from there? :)) Is there a better way of finding out what I want to know? (Btw, some email addresses have been rejected as invalid. So it does seem that it checks these…) Any stories of your own? Am I an utterly desperate, pathetic fool for doing this? ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/2 "2001-08-20T17:06:12Z")
I’m sorry, I meant to send this to IMHO. It started off as MPS\*, but I switched the forum ID when I realised what I was asking … an no dice, apparently. Mods, please forgive the error and move if appropriate. Thanks! [sub]MPS = Mundane, Pointless Stuff in this instance, not Mad, Passionate Sex. At least, so far…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/3 "2001-08-20T17:06:50Z")
I’ve gotten this email twice, and as much as I’d like to think I am just an uber-stud, I’ve come to the sad realization that it is a scam. I declined to turn over any of my friends and acquaintances to these spam mongers, but IIRC, if you put in dummy email addresses they will offer you a ‘hint’. When you find out you are required to sign up for **more** spam to receive said hint, you will get the picture. ---
**Author:** ![VitrolicBump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a587f6/32.png) [@VitrolicBump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VitrolicBump)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/4 "2001-08-20T18:04:02Z")
I think their main target is college students, especially freshmen. I got one on my college e-mail, and the only ways that someone would know that is if I gave it to them (never, always another one. I don’t check that damn thing), if they worked at the college (the student and staff directory), or if they knew my whole name and used the student search on the website to find my e-mail. Like anyone would go through any of that trouble. Why not just come up to me and say, “Hey, I am going to such and such this afternoon. Do you want to go?” Then we could go from there. Plus, it crushled my feelers. No one wants me! :sniff: And no, as curious as I was, I didn’t give any e-mail addys. Why should I put my friends through this thing? I don’t hate them (duh!). ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/5 "2001-08-20T18:11:34Z")
I have a crush on CrankyAsAnOldMan, and I don’t care who knows it. ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/6 "2001-08-20T20:00:05Z")
My first name has 5 letters (well, 6 if you use “Steven” instead of “Steve”), and my last name has 7 letters. But it wasn’t me, I’m straight. Might have been my brother, Scott, but I’m pretty sure he’s straight too. ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/7 "2001-08-20T20:07:30Z")
My name fits the criteria, but it wasn’t me, sorry. I know you’re disappointed and all since I’m so sexy. (sarcasm there) ---
**Author:** ![Amazing\_Magic-Gro\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e95f7d/32.png) [@Amazing\_Magic-Gro\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazing_Magic-Gro_Monster)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/8 "2001-08-20T20:18:16Z")
It’s not just spam, it’s a rotten, deceitful, mean sprited piece of spam as well. The site uses a 'bot (a piece of web-surfing software that collects and records e-mail addresses) that targets message boards. I know this as I tested the theory by creating four fake identities --one for each of my favorite boards. Got a hit from the “How stuff [Works.com](http://Works.com)” and “[IGN.com](http://IGN.com)”, so heads up. ---
**Author:** ![MamaHen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@MamaHen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MamaHen)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/9 "2001-08-20T21:32:19Z")
It wasn’t me, I have a crush but it is not you. If it were you I would tell you not have it e-mailed to you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/10 "2001-08-20T21:40:15Z")
'Twasn’t me. \ ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2001, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/11 "2001-08-20T22:59:31Z")
Not me. I have 3 crushes and a boyfriend, I think my schedule is full anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/12 "2001-08-21T00:21:34Z")
My first name has 5 letters!! My last name has seven letters!! I have a crush on you and didn’t know it!! I have a crush on you and I don’t know you!! The internet is wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/13 "2001-08-21T02:12:13Z")
I got one of those e-mails also. I never responded to it, but I still get e-mails telling me they will give me more hints. Get the picture folks, once you asked for other peoples addresses, the game was over and I quit responding. Now, if anyone here has the mad urge to confess undying crushness unto me feel free… ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/14 "2001-08-21T02:32:10Z")
Hmm, that’s about what I thought. Thanks… 🙂 **waveryly** : Right. I _did_ get the picture, but thanks… **dlgirl** : I absolutely agree with you. Except for that last part of the first paragraph… 😉 **magdalene** : Lucky **cranky**! **The Nerd** : Um, thanks but no thanks. Yeah… **Nocturne** : Quit teasing me. Do you know how I’ve pined away…? **Amazing Magic…** : Thanks. I’m not going to worry about it too much. **MamaHen** : Good to hear, and thank you. But what’s wrong with _me_? **AudreyK** : That’s even more disappointing than Nocturne. And besides, although your last name has seven leters, your first name has six. (Do you have a five-letter nickname?) **ladyfoxfyre** : You’re probably right. i wouldn’t want to take up any more of your time. **Cyn** : Really now? So, how _you_ doin’? **Kricket** : Well, you _are_ deliciously cute … but aren’t you married or something? ---
**Author:** ![dentarthurdent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@dentarthurdent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dentarthurdent)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/15 "2001-08-21T02:38:34Z")
I have a crush… Of course since Liz Phair will probably never know I exist it’s pretty moot. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tyklfe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tyklfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyklfe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/16 "2001-08-21T02:46:07Z")
yeah, I got one of those too, but I just pushed it away and ignored it - never found out why I got it or who sent it. ---
**Author:** ![Erika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/47e85d/32.png) [@Erika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erika)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/17 "2001-08-21T02:57:56Z")
For what it’s worth, it’s through TheSpark. And I’ve been able to trace the two that I’ve gotten back to people I know…one was just feeding it email addresses in desparate hope for a hint, and the other was drunk, curious, and feeding it every female name he could think of…so, yeah. it’s kinda annoying, but it doesn’t generate other spam, or anything along those lines. it’s mostly just a college student torture device. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/18 "2001-08-21T03:01:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StephenG \* > **AudreyK: That’s even more disappointing than Nocturne. And besides, although your last name has seven leters, your first name has six. (Do you have a five-letter nickname?)** As a matter of fact, I do. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@Rossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rossarian)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/19 "2001-08-21T03:15:27Z")
I got one of those, and it tormented me for a long time, mainly because I find the likelihood of anyone having a crush on me rather remote. But I didn’t want to put any one’s name in. Then, like 4 months later, the send me an offer of more hints. So I get all the hints by putting in all the variations allowed on my college email, and it tormented me more. But I still didn’t know who it was. And they wouldn’t give me more hints. And now I hear that my address was probably just snagged by a bot, and there never really was a crush. ☹ I should sue for mental anguish. [sub]Curse you Crushlink![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2001, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179/20 "2001-08-21T05:41:35Z")
**dentarthurdent** : I’m tempted to agree, if only for _Flower_… **Erika** : Thanks, that sounds familiar. I’m not going to let it torture me, hopefully. I’m more just amused… 🙂 **AudreyK** : You _do_? Funny, I don’t seem to have a crush link with you… Oh, that email you’re going to get announcing that you have a crush? No, I don’t know _where_ that could have come from… 😃 **Rossarian** : So, if I wait, they’ll give me more hints? Hmm… But ::Paula Cole moment:: “I don’t wanna wait…” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-crush-on-you-long/77179.md?page=2)