Indeed I do. Big time. I am presently struggling with this.

stereotyping is common in society in general and meeting people via the internet exacerbates this even more.

Yep, I'm guilty as charged. But I try to keep in mind that I'm doing it and give the person the benefit of the doubt. I've met guys and stereotyped them and from that thought that there wasn't a connection. But if they were interested in meeting again, I definitely tried the second date so that I could get a better idea of who they were so I didn't let the stereotype rule my opinion.

That is a good question, and is a danger as we each look for the best relationships. I can think of two ways to avoid this:

1) develop greater insight, knowledge, and empathy with people - this is great to do, but to make major changes can be a 10 or 20 year project (but still worth doing!)

2) spend a longer time getting to know people before feeling that you know them well. This can be done by anyone relatively easily, but does require investing time in the people we meet.

Maybe we all tend to be in a rush to find the person who is just right. And that could be justified - there are those cases where people say, I met her/him, and knew right away he/she was the person for me, and so absent that feeling there is rush to look elsewhere. But on the other hand, there are those couples where it took a year or more of back and forth, convincing and doubts, perhaps with one person pursuing the other, before they learned to be happy together. Perhaps there needs to be at least the hint that there is something special - and you can build on that feeling over time.

Sure I think we all do but that is all we have to go on is what they give us on their online dating profile.... if they tell you they are lonely who wants a guy who is lonely.. I want a guy who loves their life...

When I read your profile and jump to conclusions it is based on the information that you give me.. so if you tell me you have kids, play hockey, football and work 90 hours a week I wonder where would you ever have time for me?

I tend to go with my gut for profiles, I don't need a picture but I do need a great profile!

Thanks for the input. This has been so depressing for me. Because of my vocation - minister - I don't have a lot of opportunities for meeting people. A friend suggested trying the online thing (very scary). Learned quickly to post my occupation as "non-profit," hoping men would get to know me before making any quick assumptions. Alas, eventually the question gets asked - what do you do for a living? This is after many friendly, interesting exchanges and then, the conversation ends.

How can there be so much positive connection then - nothing? What do they think...I carry some sort of baptismal pool with me, or that I'm going to thump 'em on the head with the "thou shalt nots?"

It's a really discouraging...

Yes it does happen and more often then I would like..even here it seems just by what you put in a profile or what you visit in here it seems...