DEAR ABBY: I am single, 33, and have two kids. I have dipped my toe in the dating pool without success. I am not lonely, but I find myself wanting a relationship.
When I tried dating websites, I got a mixed bag of colorful characters. When I do find someone I'm interested in, it fizzles out quickly.
We start out by messaging on the site, then we text each other. The problem I am having is that these men don't ask "get to know you questions" or keep up a conversation at all. If I don't text first or keep the conversation going, there's no communication at all. All of them state they want a relationship, but they don't put forth the effort. I'm not sure what the problem is.
Every time this happens, I forget about dating for a while, but it happens again and again. Have any sage advice for me? -- LOOKING IN NEBRASKA
DEAR LOOKING: You say you are messaging back and forth. After a few days of conversation, have you suggested getting together for a coffee date? It might provide an opportunity to find out more about these men. If you have done that and encountered resistance, it might suggest you are coming on too strong or they aren't quite as ready as they have advertised.
Because there is so much distraction and so much choice in online dating, perhaps you should consider meeting men the old-fashioned way -- through friends, relatives or social groups. Meeting someone special when one least expects it has been known to happen.