I'm guessing this may be one of those articles which is rejected, but I decided to put my thoughts into words anyway )))

So, I have used these sites for a number of years. I have experienced most of the good and bad from these sites and feel I can recognise the real from the fake...however, occasionally I'm still shocked.

One thing I have noticed is that the women seem to read the profiles of the men less and less. At least 30% of my emails are from women telling me they can meet me in USA, despite my profile clearly stating I live in England.

I get a lot of the same questions, all of which can be answered by reading my profile. Where do you live? What do you do for work?

...and my personal hate, when women refer to photos of you, how they adore how handsome you are, when there is no picture on my profile and I've yet to send one to them!!!

Now, I'm a realist and understand that often women will contact me for other reasons than a genuine interest in a relationship. Likewise, often communication is copied and duplicated to a large number of men, not considering the individual location, or whether a photo is showing on their profile. However, this does create negativity from the man to the site and the genuine women here. 

While I'm sure the site works to reduce this and for the determined, it is worth deleting those who send the "standard" email. It is a shame that this is the introduction that many new to these sites experience and is probably why so many western men feel these sites are "fake". 

Personally for me, I put a fair amount of detail into my profile and those women who respond to this get more attraction from me. The women who send the same standard approach mail which you know they use for everyone, well they are quickly ignored. 

I guess I want to share some advice as a mail using these sites to those women who are genuinely looking for a partner. Take a little time to read about the man you wish to communicate with. When you send your introduction mail, make it specific to them. Make reference to their age, work, or where they live. Also, please stop adding that you will be coming to "my country" soon...if you are, say which country, which city, which date...otherwise we all know you are lying.

If you do get into communication with someone, then share things with them. If they are interested in you, they will continue contacting you so they can get your contact details after meeting the required minutes in chat, or emails sent. I have just stopped speaking with one woman, after her emails became one sentence, which makes me realise she either has nothing to say, or only an interest in receiving emails.

As I said, we are all adults and we can determine how to spend our money and time. For those on this site who wish to do so, there are many who will send emails and keep the communication virtual. For those who want to plan and build a future with a man, then do things differently, for fear of being considered the same as the rest.

Good luck to all and for those looking for love, I wish you the best.