Atheists 'have more success at online dating'

[Synnical]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6196584/Atheists-have-more-success-at-online-dating.html

References to "Christian", "Jewish" and "Muslim" boosted a message's success rate only marginally, while mentioning "god" in a first approach actually discouraged people from replying.

The analysis suggests online daters should avoid making personal compliments too early - "sexy" and "beautiful" sent response rates plummeting - and instead express an interest in their target's hobbies.

People who used the words "good taste" or "you mention" in their messages pushed their response rates close to 50 per cent.

Originality is also key to making a good first impression, according to the analysis. Dreary greetings such as "hi", "hey" and "hello" are far less successful than sparkier openings like "how's it going" and "what's up".

Men who use self-effacing terms such as "sorry" and "awkward" are also more likely to get responses, although the words had no magic effect when used by women.

The results of the analysis were published on OkTrends, the dating website's official blog, to help users get the most from the service. OkCupid claims that all the messages it scanned were anonymised, protecting the privacy of customers.

OKCupid Blog:

http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/2009/09/14/online-dating-advice-exactly-what-to-say-in-a-first-message/ - < ---- Yeah, click there, trust me on this one!

#7 – Consider becoming an atheist.

Mentioning your religion helps you, but, paradoxically, it helps you most if you have no religion. We know that’s going to piss a lot of people off, and we’re more or less tongue-in-cheek with this advice, but it’s what the numbers say.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale


:applause:

Edit to add the blog and detail link.

[BlueJazz]

1. Well....ah...I feel a little awkward posting this but you mentioned that...

...Atheists seemed to bring in more Responses.
That's interesting and shows your intelligence and good taste.

[salvorhardin]

2. I saw that on OK Cupid's blg on Monday

I would have liked to see a state-by-state breakdown of those stats. For instance, do they hold true in the Bible belt? Or are large metro areas skewing the numbers?

[goddess40]

3. That's cuz atheists put out

and we don't have any morals so we're a lot of fun.

Sorry, I couldn't resist - when "religious" people find out I'm an atheist they tend to change the way they treat me. Prior to their finding out they are friendly and open to what I say after they find out it's like I no longer exist. I'll put my ethics and morals up against any "religious" nut any day!

[WhollyHeretic]

4. No wonder I met my wonderful wife online

I'm a self-effacing vegetarian atheist who often starts emails with "howdy", loves zombie movies and literature (or zombie literature*), and pretty much never uses net speak (besides indications of laughter).


*

[Ignis]

5. Sounds like the best online pickup line is:

"What's up? Sorry, I'm an atheist, lol."

[Synnical]

6. Atheism: Bringing the Sexy Back

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2009/09/24/atheism-bringing-the-sexy-back/

Just sayin'.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale.