I can see what you're saying.. And agree about the pre-selection. Women simply feel more comfortable when they see you with another woman. Doesn't make a whole lot of logical sense, and from an STD sense, but it makes sense from a safety perspective.
But your generalizations about meeting people online or in the newspaper are not correct in every case.
I met my current wife through the newspaper personals.
Point is, busy career professionals often don't have the social contacts or the free time to meet in person. And bars or the workplace are simply not an option.
We had both waded through most of the lunatic fringe, that were content to stay in the shallow water and move from one superficial failed relationship to another.
It worked out great for us, and this is our 9th year.
Now if you live in an area with plenty of social opportunities, or where workplace romances are encouraged, etc.. then that's fine and it can be a decent way of meeting people, but these relationships have a no better success rate than other forms of meeting. And a lot of course depends upon the two people involved.
Easy come, easy go.
The thing I liked especially about meeting women in the personals were that many of the assumptions and pre-conceived notions about the person you were meeting were already squashed before the first meeting. And their was no doubt the two of you were looking for something.
I met many different types of woman. Mostly women looking for a no commitment type of sexual liaison (some married, some with BF's, some trash). Generally the type that had been failing to get them what they wanted for years already. So people who are stuck in old or unproductive behaviors tend to stay that way regardless of the way they meet.
Fortunately in my and my wifes case, we were both a couple of intelligent people who were looking for something more. Neither of us had kids, we were beyond the ego stroking stage, in our '30's, our careers were advancing and we were ready to get on with our lives. Without all the games, deceit, selfishness, promiscuity, and things typical to many relationships that ultimately cause them to fail.
One more thing. If a guy you're with is with a girl, and she's sending you IOI's, it says more about the girl that it does about the guy she's with. You may have a better game than he does, or not, but that doesn't really matter. And if you get married to a loser you'll know what I'm talking about. There's always somebody better around every corner. Due to age, experience, employment, etc.. The challenge is to find a decent woman (I think the term is character) that will stick with you through good times and bad. Rather than one that will just appeal to your ego when your game is at its best.
At the stage in your life when your just trying to get laid and develop your personality, etc.., I suppose it doesn't really matter whether she's loyal or has character or not. There's another easy lay around every corner. And for some people, variety is the spice of life. They tend to be the ones still living in apartments or mom and dad at 50 y.o.
