Only beautiful and desirable women get inundated with emails, so maybe men struggle because they are all going for the above average woman. I know a lot of desirable men online get inundated as well. The better you come across, the more you get. And I have found that women tend to be more realistic about who they can "get" than men. An average or below average man will still try for the above average woman, but the average/below average woman will still choose within the realm of her reality. I am not saying that is true ALL the time - there are always the exceptions.
I wouldn't exactly go the route you have.
I would say that men tend to be the aggressive actuator in relationships moreso than women.
IOW women tend to watch more than men. They think about it longer than a guy does. A guy will look and see a pretty woman and act regardless of knowing anything about her. So the men may send more emails than a woman will...but women can act as well; especially when they see an opening of some kind for a dialogue.
And as far as "marrying up" or Dating out of your league?
Kinda judgmental there eh?
I would say that "water finds it's own level". IOW you date/marry who is more of an even match with your own emotional and psychological needs. Physical appearance or financial standing really doesn't hold much water at all.
As an "old guy" I have dated both ends of the financial and physical appearance spectrum. I have found happiness with someone that met my needs. Her physical appearance and financial status was unimportant. She isn't a trophy...she is a true friend.
That is the thing about single life that I personally hated the most. When I walked into the Single's class at church and listened to those in the room I noticed a subtle difference in the way and manner they spoke. I was so offended that I instantly prayed that I would not be like them. (Flirty and yet self focused at the same time...always trying to improve their appearance, financial status, and health as if they could improve on what they had to offer a potential mate...you know...add more to their "package" of benefits) Not once did I hear about how they wished to give more or do more giving or be more of a friend to anyone. Sure they had projects as a class but...it just was different.
And I had been in a married class before that...and I really noticed the difference. It was really glaring. Now I am married and visit the members of that class. We are all still friends. They see how happily married I am and simply don't understand and are jealous of the relationship that I have found.
One lady is especially jealous. In a lot of ways she resembles my wife. (similar careers and interests) She always dresses impeccably, has better financial status, has a theological degree, and was a beauty contest winner. But guess what? She didn't stand a chance against my wife. She still hasn't even gotten a date in the last three years of my marriage. My wife is the wife of Noble Character that is more precious than diamonds and rubies. Mainly because both of us weren't so much into improving our personal "total package" that we forgot to share ourselves. And who you are is more important than what you are in the scheme of relationships.
