@Mila14 Unfortunately I have no idea how to set the criteria properly. I'm using Match and I've worked out how I can do a search, but can't see how to set my own criteria to screen out people I'm not interested in. I've been getting messages from guys young enough to be my son, and people living at the other end of the country from me. It's ridiculous! And I'm extremely hesitant about using free apps becuase I've had a difficult experience with stalking before and I'm hoping that the persons involved wouldn't bother with a paid-for app. Another reason why I feel slightly nervous about the whole thing.
But something MrStars said yesterday made me pause for thought... He's a very kind, thoughtful person and I keep thanking him for it and saying how much I appreciate it. To which he said he doesn't think he's behaving in any way out of the ordinary. Which made me think about how I've been treated by men in the past and generally expect to, I guess, be treated pretty badly, or if not badly then thoughtlessly or without much consideration... to the extent that when someone is actually nice to me in a totally normal way, I'm pathetically grateful. It's not the nicest realisation. 😕