One of the funny things about online dating sites is the variety of photographs people submit. Women in lingere, guys flexing their biceps, etc. But some of the pictures are so…out there it makes me really wonder what the person was thinking. So what kind of photos creep you out?
-Even though I consider myself a cat person, photos of people with their cats (on a dating site, anyway) kind of creep me out. I dunno, just gives me a ‘cat lady’ vibe. I have no problem with people who own cats, or other animals. Even worse if the cat is wearing clothing :eek:
-People posing next to people far more attractive than themselves. Why do this? The contrast often just makes them look plainer/homlier than if they had a photo of just them alone.
-Photos of the person with a former SO (usually ‘still friends’ now). I don’t have a problem with staying friends with exes, but when you submit a photo of your ex boyfriend necking with you…ugh :dubious:
-Camwhore pics. You know, when they crank up the contrast to the point their face is so pale you can’t even see their nose? The more camwhorism I see in the picture, the less pleasant looking I’m going to assume the person is in natural sunlight.
Pictures where someone else has been edited out or torn off sound a little warning bell. Can’t you at least get a decent picture of yourself for the occasion?
Another thing that make me a little cautious is a primary picture where a dog or other pet is as prominent as the person. This is fine for secondary pictures, but in the primary picture, I get a sense of “my pet is going to be more important than you”.
wedding photos in which subject is bride or groom.
mugshots.
school senior photo.
sears photo studio family with kiddies.
glamour shots, with all the soft focus and special effects makeup.
attempts at sexy-seductive with lohn-zhoo-RAY. Yeah that aspect of a relationship is
important, but you don’t know me yet. I don’t even like you yet! Don’t wanna see your
cross-eyed sultry expression or your fancy underwears yet.
eagle scout uniform.
photo with fish or dead deer or other ‘prey’.
non-smiley with fish or dead deer. I hate smiling for photos too, but it doesn’t mean I
put on my seething Clint Eastwood mug to hold up a frickin trout.
People who smile without smiling. My brother in law does this. It’s not a smile, it’s just
an open mouth as if he’s saying “heh!” Teeth show. Jaw is open. Not a smile. It’s the
same expression as a panting schnauzer. I am tempted to throw him a frisbee.
If the guy was holding a beer in his pic, forget it. (You know this pic is supposed to sell you as “dateable”, so why choose one that makes you look like a barstool-warmer? Surely you can get someone to take a nice picture of you and give you time to put down the beer.)
If the guy had ANY picture, even in his “backstage” pics, with his shirt off. No, no, no.
If the guy was holding a baby that is not his baby. (Trying too hard to look sensitive. I know you love your nephew, but I don’t want to date your nephew. Put down the kid.)
If it was clearly half-a-picture, and the other half was clearly at some point a woman, because all you can see from the cut-off half is long hair and a shoulder. Ew.
I’m not lookin’, happily married and all that. But I DID look over the shoulder of a Co-worker as he was doing the internet meatmarket shopping cart thing.
Lady, if your quote is “I love my truck”, Your truck is one of your top three things, and your photo is of you and your truck…there are some pretty big red flags there.
You’re advertising, ferchrissakes put on a clean shirt!
All you have is a picture of you drunk? and the ex is cut out of that photo?
All sorts of stuff will be read into, make the picture count. (No pictures on the wall behind you? That house needs a woman’s touch!) Primp and preen, but ferchrissakes, if unless you’re trying to be a prostitute, less can be more, ya know?
And based on the coworker’s experience, at least have the cajones to write back that you don’t want to talk anymore. 8 email volleys then silence is not cool.
This encapulates how I feel about pictures of women holding alcohol, but I never quite expressed it that well. And if anyone was actually chugging someting alcoholic in their picture, they were right out.
Wow, thank you both. (And I’m doing quite well, twickster.) But if girlfriends and pets and baseball caps and beer and lingerie and trucks are no-nos, I have to wonder if I’m pushing my luck with the Easter Bunny.
Well, the girl will the truck will turn off lots of guys, but the guys who do respond either don’t mind or share her love of trucks. I have a pic up where I’ve got bloodshot eyes and a beer in my hand. A lot of potential dates won’t like that, but at least I’ll filter them out early. Might as well let them know who you are right off the bat. I’m sure if you put that pic up you can find someone who’s just as enthusiastic about the Easter Bunny as you are.
If the way you look best is peering up into a camera held almost directly over your head, my guess is that you’re trying to hide something – most likely a weak or double chin. If you can’t picture what I’m describing here, spend an hour on MySpace.
I also get instant red flags when I see a girl who has 20 pictures posted and none of them go below the collarbones. The girl in question often classifies her body type as “average.” I instantly assume she’s overweight and trying to hide it.
I saw one yesterday. Her profile said ‘never married.’ But one of her pictures was of her, in a white dress, carrying flowers, walking down a church aisle, with a black-suited elbow holding her arm. Er… no.
