The New York Post ran an article on June 9th about a subscriber to Match .com who is taking the one of the world's most popular paid internet dating services to court for inflicting "humiliation and disappointment" on lonely hearts "who feel rejected when their e-mails get no reply."
Good grief, I barely know where to start…perhaps I should stop laughing first!
The article goes on to say that the plaintiff "alleges the popular matchmaking Web site dangles phony date bait by posting profiles of people who no longer subscribe to its $39.99-a-month service."
So there are really two parts to this story; the fact that his feelings were hurt and second, the allegation of phony profiles for the purpose of attracting paid memberships.
I cannot comment on the latter because I haven't looked at Match.com in quite some time, preferring Datepad instead. Moreover it goes to the whole issue of bait and switch tactics and it's probably best just to let the lawyers and the judge hash that one out.
However, the subscriber's assertion that Match.com is somehow responsible for the humiliation, disappointment and rejection he suffered as a result of not receiving replies to his emails is laughable and just plain absurd.
The man is a whiny crybaby; a pathetic individual who, at the age of 37, appears to be a product of the two phenomena that I have a great deal of trouble with. The first is the idea of entitlement; as in "I paid my money, now get me a date". Let's be clear about this; nowhere does Match.com guarantee that you will actually find someone to date. What they do guarantee is that if you don't find someone special in six months you'll get another six months for free provided you adhere to a few conditions.
The second is the whole concept that's being touted in schools around the country that goes something like "everyone is a winner and there are no losers". While the motive behind this theory may be a noble one in that it promotes self esteem, the downside is that it does nothing to prepare the individual for actual failure. And let's face it, life is full of failures. I've certainly had my share, personally, professionally and financially, though thankfully not simultaneously! Most of us learn from our mistakes and our failures; we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move on; and we do it all without the need to whine to the press and hire legal counsel.
So bait and switch allegations aside, I suggest this to the plaintiff; grow up and shut up!
Julietteisreal
39 / Female
Comments: 5
Posted on July 21, 2009, 1:47 pm
I think that guy is pathetic! I do agree that sites should let people know when someone is not active though. I did a free trial weekend on eHarmony and when it ended people where still sending me messages and "nudging' me to respond. I feel bad thinking that those people think I am just ignoring them!
