TNG FLashback: Craigslist Love?

The work day is almost over. We hope you use your last ounce of concentration to revisit this year-old TNG article. Originally published by Ms. Cavanaugh on 1/28/2008

I’m well aware that Craigslist is not the best place to be looking for love, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If I meet a lesbian I’m interested in, it’s a rare occasion — all the good ones really do seem to be taken, or live outside the District — so sometimes I wander on the site to see if my dream girl is out there, using the Internet to locate me.

A friend and I are wasting time at work by looking up w4w ads in our respective locations (D.C. and Maine) and sending them to each other. What I learned — D.C. Craigslist is a place to troll for meaningless hookups, while my dream women reside in Portland, Maine.

Take, for example, this 24-year-old Portland girl: “About me: I work in the arts and am very passionate about my job. In my free time, I like to take walks (especially in the snow!), watch films, and read. When I get the chance I like going to indie concerts in town. I am a reliable person, but know how to have fun. I like going out and staying in. To me, a good night could be curling up in a warm blanket with a movie and a good pizza or going to hear a band play.” Let’s contrast that with a 19-year-old D.C. poster: “i love to eat...ill host or u can host it doesnt matter...im white 5'6..110 lbs..34c..shaved...please reply with pic!!!”


Here’s another from D.C.: “5'3 170lbs chocolate lady that is attached but looking 4 Friends with Ben...Must be easy on the eyes, discreet, freaky, clean, drama-free, and disease free. I am very oral. must be available in the mornings. Need someone experienced cause I'm shy but I can get the job done. Hit me up MUST have pics for a response.”

And another Portland girl: “I am single and in my mid-twenties. I am cute and more on the femme side of things. Love to have fun and meet new interesting people places and things. I am on the down slope of my club phase, but I can still rock it;) Dancing and music is a huge plus. Museums and art galleries are a definite. Love to visit pubs, coffee shops and all other places where good conversation can be had. Appreciate those who volunteer or have a sense of humanitarianism.”

And I’m not just pulling the exceptions — it seems like as a rule, D.C. Craigslist w4w is horrifying — incorrect grammar and spelling, abbreviations, naked photos, and a lack of interest for anything outside of sex. The few normal sounding posts are from women not interested in someone as young as I am (I’m very mature, I swear). If I'm actually looking for a normal date, where can I look?

So, some questions: Do people actually reply to these posts? Wouldn’t this be an easy way to pick up some STDs? Is it expecting too much to have normal women using Craiglist? Or should I sign up for Match.com?