You're funny - want to buy my art?

So remember last night, when I was lamenting the fact that ad #4 had gotten me nowhere?  No freaks.  No interest.  No nothing?

I'm not saying that wasn't true, but I am willing to say that maybe I was a little, eensy-teensy bit, hasty.  While it is the case that almost none of the men who responded to my ad followed suit after I replied, it's not as if their original missives were without "merit." 

For example, I received the following message

Hello,

Your post was entertaining. A few parts even made me laugh. Figured I would just start a random conversation and see where things go. Starting random conversations online isn't a simple task. It's a bit hard to read people or see the person they are. But I'll put some effort into it. Since you seem like a character with some depth. 

So my name is Raphael and I have a jewelry business. I don't work with diamonds or gems. It's a kind of glass art. I hand craft all of my pendants and sell them locally at the market. Ever been there? I found out that most of the people who do visit aren't locals. I love selling my jewelry there. It's refreshing.

Anyways short intro. Maybe I'll hear from you. Or if you wanted to know more about me. You can visit my myspace page at raphaelsmyspacepage.

Cheers, Raphael

Not so bad, right?  I know, I know.  Except that he also included photos of his jewelry (including one of him wearing the jewelry). 

With captions asking if I'd maybe like to buy some.

And, of course, when someone invites me to their MySpace or Facebook page, I go.  I'm not stupid.  I know that's a good place to check out the goods.  (And let's be honest - if they give me their first and last name, I'm usually headed off to find their sites even if they don't explicitly invite me to do so.)  At first, I was irritated because Raphael's page appeared to be one big advertisement for his jewelry.  I'm not saying that he shouldn't advertise - and more power to him for getting out and following his dream.  "Way to go, Raphael," I say.  

But

Then I started browsing around in his photos.  It wasn't hard.  They're right there.  He hasn't hidden them from public view.  You'll never guess what I saw!  

Picture after picture after picture of this guy kissing women.  Different women.  All different women.

Fine.  Go ahead.  Kiss away!  But, um, you were responding to a personals ad!  Don't send me off to see photos of you smooching the whole city!

So let's recap:

When you respond to a personals ad (yes, even on CL),

1) Don't use your response as a way to advertise your wares.  At least, not your professional wares.

2) Don't send the woman you're trying to meet off to a site where she'll see loads of pictures of you making out with other women.  

Not cool.

And, well, you know me.  Not cool = not interested.

(But of course I responded, since the rules tell me to.  He never replied...)