If you have spent a whole night in a bar talking to a man only to be introduced to his girlfriend at closing time, meeting someone online might be for you - this way, at least you know he's available! And meeting online gives you the opportunity to screen him in the privacy of your own home. In fact, some experts argue that far from isolating us from face-to-face interactions, as some people claim, the rise of online dating has brought back many previously lost rites of courtship - you know, like getting to know each other.

"I don't like meeting men in clubs - it's hard to ask real questions about what they're like, hard to hear what they're saying; it's even hard to tell what they really look like some of the time! When I meet someone online, I know what kind of music they like, what they like to read, what they do for a living, and in most cases, what sort of relationship they're looking for," says Friedrich, as sales rep from Mainz, Germany.

Write A Great Personal Ad

Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology at Liverpool University in England, studied the evolutionary messages behind personal ads. Most of the adjectives that posters used to describe themselves could be put in one of five categories: attractiveness ("good-looking"), commitment ("seeking serious relationship"), social skills ("great sense of humor"), sexiness ("sultry"), and resources ("professional").

Dunbar then asked 200 college students to rate the appeal of various ads. Men and women were - surprise! - interested in different things. Men cared about attractiveness first, commitment second, then social skills, resources, and sexiness. Women, on the other hand, were looking for someone who prioritized commitment first, then social skills, then resources, with attractiveness and sexiness bring up the rear.

So when you're writing your ad, try to focus on what he will be looking for - not necessarily what you would. Besides describing what you're in the market for, emphasize what you'd bring to the relationship - other than your girlish breasts and cute butt.

Word to the wise woman:  Watch out for scams, especially in the international online dating world. You've been talking to someone for a couple of weeks; suddenly, his beloved mother takes ill, or he loses his job, and would you mind, buddy? Defenses are down when you think there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so no matter how legitimate he seems, it's a good idea to keep your Internet dating life far away from your checkbook until you're absolutely sure he's a bona fide.