Dear Gems from Jen,

I am male, 5’4″, 210 lbs, 55, own no car or real estate, haven’t worked since 1993, and haven’t had a date since 1999. What do you suggest that would improve my chances of landing a decent girlfriend? At this point I’m so hard up for some tender love that an indecent one would do, too. I have high morals (by force of circumstance), am well read, better than viewed or listened to, anyhow. I never gamble, smoke, or drink. I don’t know the meaning of life, and I don’t know what love is. I keep asking myself the same questions over and over, which is ‘what can I do for my country,’ instead of ‘what my country can do for me?’
 
Dear Dating Advice,
 
What can you offer to a potential girlfriend? The only thing you have told me so far is that you have high morals, are well read, you don’t partake in drinking/gambling/smoking, you don’t know what love is, you have no job, car, or real estate. You haven’t sold me on the idea that you are a good catch. Why would you want to date yourself? Ask yourself that question before you take any further steps. Next, focus on your positive traits.  Who are you? What makes you tick? What are your high morals? How are you well read?  What can you do for your country? What do you value? What can you offer emotionally? What can you offer in terms of a relationship? If you did know what love was, what would that look and feel like?  Stay away from the points that you believe are negative. Women want to meet men that are confident and know who they are.
 
What are you looking for in a girlfriend? What would you like a potential girlfriend to offer to you?  Be sure to include this in your profile.  Stay away from the superficial points and focus on personality and emotional traits. Be specific, but don’t box yourself into one particular type of person. Open yourself up to all of the possibilities that are out there.
 
Signed,
 
Gems from Jen