10 Red Flags when meeting a man on the internet

Sometimes us normally smart women leave our brains at the door when we meet someone run across an profile who seems to have you in mind when he wrote it. Can anyone be this perfect for you?? Of course, we tell ourselves, but just like in every other area of our life, we have to remain smart! So here are 10 red flags to watch out for when meeting a man on line...

10. He slips the term, "Friends with benefits" any where in the profile, even if it was a generic choice in the "what kind of relationship are you looking for" category. A good man would not admit to wanting this relationship. We smart women know that EVERY man would get involved in this type of relationship, so it is a given and should never be spoken out loud.

9. He lists his age as 45, but the only picture you can find on his profile was his senior picture from high school. Lots could have happened between then and now. Pictures should be taken in the last year, or ok, if you feel like giving him a break, and aren't afraid of surprises, the pic is 2 years old.

8. He likes to take long walks on the beach or some other romantic activity. Don't you think that men who can afford to go to an exotic beach, and take walks on the beach must have someone to take those walks with. Do men really dream of taking long walks on the beach? Or is there idea of a romantic time is really great seats at their favorite teams events. 99% of men have something about "romantic walks" on the beach listed as an activity. I have been to the beach lately, and I didn't see a whole lot of single guys walking up and down the beach. But hey, it could be his fantasy and once he hooks up with you he will take you regularly on the beach for a walk. Or perhaps he will take the dog. Who knows.

7. He is between jobs right now. My experience that the men on line have some time on thier hands. Its not wrong for a woman to ask about a man's plan! Maybe they are between jobs, especially in this economy, but hey, they should be making plans, and if times are difficult maybe it is time to dedicate themselves to a new work plan, not a romantic one. The best have their ducks in a row before they offer to bring someone into their lives. That is if they are planning something real with someone.

6. He is 6' tall. No matter his height take a few inches off. This also goes for other parts of his anatomy; although if he mentions the size of any other, specific parts of his anatomy, turn the other way. A man cannot be measured by the size of anything else but his character. Make sure that he has a good character.

5. His picture vaguely resembles an underwear model you noticed in last season's JC Penney catalog. We all want to meet a very attractive, modelesque man, however, the chances of him being on a local dating service is pretty slim. Keep your head girls, your best bet is the "average" man.

6. Not looking for any "mama drama". One hardly ever mentions anything on a profile that you haven't experienced. Which means that he has experienced "mama drama" personally; is this with the woman or women that he has had children with? Maybe he should not worry about you bringing about "mama drama" but that there is a woman in his past that may bring YOU mama drama.

5. His home town is listed as "Bagdad" and somewhere in the profile he is looking for a nice american woman whom he will cherish. Ok, women, remember that the culture that a man grows up in makes the man. It is like finding a man who is native to the north country and you are shocked that he is planning a hunting trip in November! I do not like to "dump" a group of people into a basket and make generalizations...however, it is difficult to think that a man from the middle east will have similar views to womens rights. Before you jump into a relationship with this man, rent the movie "Not Without My Daughter" and then make a decision.

4. He has more than one profile, using different names on the same dating sight. The pictures kind of look like him, and his home town, while in the same region are listed differently. Do I even need to comment on this one??

3. While he is emailing you, he is also emailing a friend of yours. Of course he is just emailing her to ask about YOU and tell her how wonderful YOU are. However, your friend reports that he asks her about meeting. Again, 'nough said. Why would your friend lie, is she your friend? Remember he is just a guy on the internet and you know your friend.

2. His second email is a poetic piece of art. Does the average guy have the skills to write you letters that sound they came from Shakespeare, pronouncing his love to you. Make sure the emails equal the level you know each other. No one can fall in love with you over the intenet. Love takes time to grow, and while you may be attracted to someone quickly, it is NOT love. Love takes experience with each other, it takes at least one experience of looking into each others eyes. Love takes the assurance that the person you are in love with is real. Ask yourself if you think you are in love with this person, or in the thought of "being" in love. Don't allow yourself to be swept off your feet, and swept right into a place that causees your life more trouble than you can imagine. Remember, love should enhance your life, not bring you crazy drama.

1. "I have no baggage." Is he old enough to be participating in the single dating sight? If he is over the age of 25, he has some kind of baggage, we all do. One thing that women do to themselves is that we believe that everyone in the world is a better catch than we are. You know what? It ISN'T true! People have problems, people have things to overcome in your life. So, keep it balanced, between not looking for someone who is perfect and someone who has baggage that you can't deal with. We can all deal with different things in life, make a list of the things that you COULD deal with, and all the things that are deal breakers, and STICK TO IT! You know yourself best, be your own best friend and don't allow yourself to end up with someone that you wouldn't let your best friend date. Treat yourself in a way that you deserve.

The older we get, the harder it is to find that someone special. It is the truth. It is my opinion that the older we are the harder it is for us to be secure in ourselves, too much has happened, we have made too many mistakes, and we feel that we have to cover things up or we will look stupid, not responsible enough, not smart enough, blah, blah, blah. We are so much more alike than we are different. Question things that don't make sense, use your voice and ask questions, if they don't like you asking the questions, than he is not for you. Other than that, have fun, be safe and hopefully we will all find that someone special.