I love to read the personal ads in such publications as The Times Literary Supplement<\/i> – it is highly entertaining. These are definitely not your “I’m looking for a soulmate. I would love to walk on the beach with you” ramblings of the folks on Match.com.<\/p>\n
Anyway, here is an article about personal ads<\/a>. It’s very funny.<\/p>\n Catherine Keenan, the Australian author, lists ads from literary and academic journals – such gems as the following came from The London Review of Books<\/i>:<\/p>\n Some chances are once in a lifetime. Not this one, I’ve been in the last 12 issues. Either I strike gold this time or I become a lesbian. Man, 43.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n And:<\/p>\n 67-year-old disaffiliated flaneur, jacked-up on Viagra and looking for a contortionist trumpeter.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n See what I mean? They’re addictive.<\/p>\n The article analyzes the difference between personal ads in America, and those in England. The people who place the ads in England, apparently, (and not too surprisingly) are much more willing to be self-deprecating about themselses:<\/p>\n Public school failure. Insipid, directionless, probably poor in bed. Looking for M or F reason to take life seriously.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n or to use wit as the primary attraction (with an underbelly of twisted sexuality, as seen in this ad):<\/p>\n Must enjoy computer battleships, segregated bathrooms and respect my mother by wearing clothes just like hers (cavalry twill, mainly.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The people who place the ads in America are much more positive and cheery, much more willing to sell themselves (“I’m a good-looking guy … women tell me they like my eyes … I have a good sense of humor”) – and also are very very specific about the appearance of the mate they seek.<\/p>\n Examples from the article:<\/p>\n Resembles a petite Julia Roberts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n …the sophistication of Diana Rigg combined with likeness to Lady Diana (cheekbones, eyes, hair)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n A piecemeal woman. Just what the doctor ordered.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love to read the personal ads in such publications as The Times Literary Supplement – it is highly entertaining. These are definitely not your “I’m looking for a soulmate. I would love to walk on the beach with you” … Continue reading