Comments on: Brutally honest personals

Brutally honest personals

onlyconnect — Fri, 14 May 2004 10:21:20 -0800

Brutally Honest Personals. Hers: "Even though I run marathons, I still can't lose those few pounds. But I can probably kick someone to death with my legs of steel." His: "When I do have a job, it's low paying, and credit consolidators take half of what I earn. I'm behind on my rent, emotionally closed, and take medication to treat my depression." Esquire comes up with personal ads for people who are tired of being excessively positive -- will the trend ever catch on for resumes and college class notes? (Possibly NSFW due to some sexual language.) via anil.

By: fenriq

fenriq — Fri, 14 May 2004 10:37:33 -0800

There's no way this is real. What kind of idiot would want to date or even meet any of these people? Marriage philosophy: I hated it. I would marry again only for money. or "When I feel bad, it helps me to call you at work. Frequently. Rushing me off the phone will just make me cry and pester you with e-mails." or, worse, "I'm lanky, ridiculously in debt, and almost always stoned. I don't have much ambition and live at home. Nonetheless, I'm optimistic and have a vexing confidence." Nice! There's a winner!

By: Hildago

Hildago — Fri, 14 May 2004 10:38:28 -0800

These are awesome. Reading regular personals, you would never know that nearly everybody is depressed, in debt, and gassy.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Fri, 14 May 2004 10:59:25 -0800

Two years and one month ago, I placed this ad in the Washington CityPaper:

Every time you answer someone else's personal ad, God kills a kitten. Tall urban hipster urges you to please, think of the kittens.

One month ago, I married one of the respondents.

By: elwoodwiles

elwoodwiles — Fri, 14 May 2004 12:15:38 -0800

DBi? WCM 5'11" 150 Lbs GL no STD ISO B/D S/M TV DBiB/H/AJM/F HWP GL for XXX and LTR no smk/drgs/STD - PBR?

By: Postroad

Postroad — Fri, 14 May 2004 12:25:51 -0800

the babes want this and that but seem not to know that some good oral sex is the hook(er) that gets the guy

By: Satapher

Satapher — Fri, 14 May 2004 14:02:13 -0800

...

By: LoopSouth

LoopSouth — Fri, 14 May 2004 14:48:11 -0800

So how do I sign up? I can't find a link to do that...

By: John Kenneth Fisher

John Kenneth Fisher — Fri, 14 May 2004 14:54:03 -0800

There's no way this is real. What kind of idiot would want to date or even meet any of these people? I can honestly say this girl comes across as quite appealing to me. Seriously.

By: onlyconnect

onlyconnect — Fri, 14 May 2004 15:27:04 -0800

LoopSouth, I hunted on the main Esquire site and found this. And congratulations (again), MrMoonPie!

By: SpecialK

SpecialK — Fri, 14 May 2004 17:24:15 -0800

John - Me too, she sounds like one of my best friends -- just way cuter.

By: Wet Spot

Wet Spot — Fri, 14 May 2004 18:04:59 -0800

Insensitive man seeks uncaring woman for meaningless relationship. Photo not necessary.

By: jb

jb — Fri, 14 May 2004 22:16:35 -0800

Yes, the anime and video game girl had me wondering if it was real, since I've never met a cute girl who played video games who didn't have guys lined up around the street. This woman also strikes me, as she herself says, as quite cute. Also nerdy (often a plus, at least with most I know). If it is real, I'd lay money on several men who know her actually being interested, but either already ruled out, or just too shy to talk.

By: BobFrapples

BobFrapples — Fri, 14 May 2004 23:06:52 -0800

My personals ad starts with the headline "Want a Crappy Boyfriend? I got it covered..." Surprisingly, I get quite a number of responses. I think people are naturally suspicious of flawless personal ads...

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Sat, 15 May 2004 05:55:43 -0800

OMFG!!! OMFG!!! I know that girl. I've met her, anyway. I know people who know her. Her name, as posted on the site, is correct -- google her, and you'll find her blog, even (though maybe not the first hit). Small fuckin' world....

By: chunking express

chunking express — Sat, 15 May 2004 15:45:31 -0800

I think they are quite real. For another view on this thing, read more here.

By: riviera

riviera — Sat, 15 May 2004 19:24:03 -0800

There's been a lot written about the difference between the depressingly earnest (or, to some, 'relentlessly upbeat') personals published by the New York Review of Books, and the self-deprecating ones at the London Review of Books (sadly, not online right now, but here are representative samples).

By: maybeiam

maybeiam — Sun, 16 May 2004 18:50:55 -0800

i am actually one of the featured personals (i'm dana), and i can say that while everything i wrote is technically true, i just wrote things i thought were self-depricating and funny. putting my worst foot forward to show that i can have a laugh at myself. but also, like they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity. i've gotten nearly 50 letters and the print issue doesn't hit newsstands wide-release until may 18. it's been pretty freaking interesting, i'll tell you that.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Sun, 16 May 2004 20:50:58 -0800

MrMoonPie, that may be the coolest thing i have ever read on mefi!

By: Ptrin

Ptrin — Sun, 16 May 2004 21:10:29 -0800

Gotta love being reg'd for 3 years and having your second comment be to a link about you.

By: onlyconnect

onlyconnect — Sun, 16 May 2004 21:38:51 -0800

Ptrin, if you check out maybeiam's first comment it was also to a post about her -- this time re a site she created. All signal, no noise!