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I love Craigslist. Ever since I stumbled upon this site a few years ago, browsing the various Craigslist categories and listings has become an almost daily habit. As one of the largest – or the largest – online classified in the world, the sky is pretty much the limit in terms of what you can find, buy, see, or sell. There’s something for everyone. And, for me personally, although I have bought and sold many items on Craigslist, and I have even found a few pretty good part-time jobs on Craigslist, there has been one particular area on Craigslist that I have been perusing quite frequently lately: the personals!

Yes, the personals section. More so out of curiosity than anything else, I often browse through the daily personals listings to see who or what is out there. And being that I’m a guy who likes women, I stick to either the “women seeking men” category or the “strictly platonic” category. And I have noticed that when it comes to describing themselves physically, many women seem to be a little less than forthcoming (dishonest?).

Now, what I have noticed a lot in these personals ads from women is a recurring theme in which women who are, how should I say, a little on the larger side who don’t really want to admit that they are. I know that we all come in different shapes and sizes, and we all have our unique bodies and shapes. I’m fine with that! But what I don’t understand is why so many women – at least on Craigslist – use “code words” to describe the fact that they are large or big.

I’ve learned to spot these code words from a mile away now. Most of the time I will read an ad from a woman who will use words like “curvy” or “thick” or “shapely” to describe the fact that when they fly on a commercial airplane they more often than not have to buy two seats even though there is only one of them flying! A person who is “curvy” or “thick” would not have to do that. There is a difference. On Craigslist, the description a “little extra padding” seems to include anything up to about 50-75 extra pounds. There is a tremendous amount of “false advertising” that many women partake in when describing themselves on a personal profile.

And yes, I know men do the same thing. I know men can be just as devious and creative with the way they describe their physical attributes as women can. But I’m a guy, and I like women, so my focus is only on the male perspective. So, what gives? I mean, if you are describing yourself in great detail on a personals profile, and if you are in any way motivated to actually meeting a guy who reads your profile, why would you lie when the truth is going to be readily apparent at the first meeting?

What is the logic behind that? I can see trying to sell yourself and to focus on your strong points and good qualities, but a physical description is a basic part of who you are. I’d personally love to be 6′4” but I’m not. I have to settle for my 5′9 1′2” height. I can’t fill out a personal profile being guided by “wishful thinking” on my part as to what I would like to be. I have to go by what I am. The old saying “the truth shall set you free” doesn’t seem to ring true with a lot of women nowadays. If you are large, say you are large! A woman who is 5′2” and weighs 190 pounds is not a little “thick” or “curvy”; let’s get realistic here!

So, women, please take my advice. Be true to yourself. Let’s drop the soft, nice, fuzzy-sounding code words designed to put a positive or less-negative spin on your physical dimensions.