Dating 101

Well, don't forget it altogether. Just forget it long enough to listen to these wise words from Ann Wood, a Washington matchmaker of more than two decades: "Snow White was a jerk; she was lying there waiting for life to come to her."

Amen.

It's true, of course. Every fairy tale has white knights just showing up. But unless you order a lot of pizza and are convinced that a delivery guy is your perfect destiny, well, you're going to have to get off the couch.

Repositioning yourself in a dark movie theater doesn't really count either.

"You want to get out and meet enough people, but you have to put yourself in a position to meet the right people," says Amy Schoen, the dating coach who also runs a Web site called DCDatingInfo.com.

"Doing stuff" can feel like a chore, especially if you're forcing yourself into situations that don't feel natural (e.g., speed dating). So, okay. Just promise yourself you'll try two new things a month, and only things that are legitimately interesting to you. An opening night reception at an art gallery, a two-hour introductory sailing class, a community service project, happy hour at a new lounge. Whatever -- as long as it's fun.

And you know Snow White missed some awfully good times holed up in those woods, just waiting.

Tip: There's no shortage of stuff going on in this town, and there's a group for just about every activity. For all-purpose events, try the International Club of DC ( http://www.internationalclubdc.com) or ThingstoDo.com. If you're politically minded, think about volunteering a few hours with a campaign you support.

Everyone Needs an (Online) Editor

About me: I'm a kind, caring, person with a good heart. I'm fit, smart, ambitious. I love spending time with my family and friends. Outside of work, I like to read, travel, eat out, see movies and hang with friends. I love to laugh and really just want enjoy life.

About you: Please be intelligent, attractive and in shape. I hope you have a good sense of humor, like great food and enjoy the occasional adventure. You'd be game for a hike in the woods or a black-tie gala. I'm looking for someone who knows who they are and wants the best life has to offer! Is it you?

Read, rinse, repeat. Now go claw your eyes out or toss your laptop into the path of an oncoming MARC train. Seriously folks, who doesn't like to laugh? Where's the random specimen of humanity hoping for a long slog through a joyless, tortured existence? (At least that dude would be interesting.)

Romantic or not, online dating is almost a given part of the process today. Match.com alone has more than 15 million registered users, and the Washington area has the site's fourth-highest concentration of members.

But just paying the fee and slapping up a blurry photo isn't enough to reel folks in. Your profile has to be engaging, original and ideally funny (ha-ha funny, not absurdly pathetic funny).

A sharp-tongued friend with decent writing skills can probably polish your profile into second-glance condition. After all, if half the world is going to have access to this, a once-over by a trusted set of eyes isn't going to hurt -- if only to make sure you're not getting an automatic dismissal for spelling errors or misplaced commas. Or for treating yourself like a cliche. (Read: Please, please cut the crap about the sunsets.)

Tip: Don't happen to have a gaggle of friends with English lit degrees? Okay, well, a little cottage industry has popped up to serve you, for a fee, of course. Check out such Web sites as http://www.romancelanguage.org and http://www.targetlove.com, which promise to up your online appeal.