I agree with AKI 110%!!!!!!!!!! The "dating pool" out there is getting uglier by the minute. I too have tried the "Online dating". The "Set-up" from a friend. Going to bars. Flirting endlessly with any guy at the grocery store or any waiting line. I have even volunteered at local festivals or events to "meet" someone. I have stopped short at the church/employment arena. I figure the men at church I like are the ones there praying for forgiveness on what they did the night before. (I know because I've sent them there ) The employment route isn't good as then you have the "Sexual harassment" line to negotiate for the rest of your employment/career.
I too have given up completely on the whole "dating" thing but not without a signifcant fight or scars to prove it. I gave myself 6 months to concentrate on finding someone. I mean completely open to EVERY option. I didn't hold back or brush everything to the side immediately. I agreed to dates from every source friends, internet, or brief meeting. Something, I promise you I would have never done in a million years. I announced to ALL my married friends what my intentions where. That if in this 6 months I did not find someone that I would dedicate myself to being single and they are NEVER to say anything about it to me again!!!
Well in that 6 months, I lost about everything. I lost 2 of my dogs, a good friend (died), my health, and my job/career. Those were just the highlights amongst everything else. Now I am still single, unemployed, and going broke fast.
I've turned into someone I wouldn't date myself!!! The 6 months are about up now. I think my friends have finally "seen the light" and will get off my case for awhile. Now, they have my "Jobless" situation to worry about. I find it completely ironic that I had to lose almost everything else in my life before anyone ever got over the fact I was just missing one thing and that was a man! My advice to anyone and everyone: Be happy with what you have, and don't let what you don't have make you miserable!