Strictly platonic

Through my recent exploration of Missed Connections, I've started picking up on a few formulas that are often followed...

Plaid shirt and tattoos, KOP mall, Macy's- Sunday - w4m - 24 (King of Prussia Mall- Macy's)

Hi. I've never posted one of these, and hadn't planned on it, but you were too cute and I am too curious.

It was Sunday afternoon, I was working at the MAC counter in the Macy's at King of Prussia mall. You were walking towards the crosswalk, and we locked eyes for a long moment before I looked down. I was hoping you'd come up and say hi, but I'm sure I didn't look approachable.

You were wearing a plaid shirt, had longish hair, and I'm pretty sure I caught glimpses of some script on your chest.

I wonder if you'll see this. That would be rad.

This example focuses on a specific encounter (or "connection" if you will).

The author started with a descriptive title and included: the who, the what, & the where.

In the post, she wrote what happened with more detail- getting more specific with the when and the where.

She also revealed who she was in the situation, described a connection, and further again described the man that the post is for. With hope, she ended with "I wonder if you'll see this.."

Red Head at a Newtown Gym - m4m - 29 (newtown/Yardley)

You in the locker room....6ft red head hot body like 22 or 23, you also swim sometimes. You were coming out of the steam room around 5:45 pm. Probably you wont see this but hey giving it a try....you have the entire packaged

This example explains who the post is for with no hint nor description of the author. It also lacks a moment of a specific connection between two people.

The author's title started with a description of the who and the where.

In the post, he wrote a specific where, a description of the who, and a when.

He ended with a hopeless remark followed by a compliment.

Valentines Day - m4w (Better Off )

well, this was the second year we did not celebrate Valentine's Day together, I have to admit....it was alot easier. Thank you for your continued participation in the mutual silent treatment, its really working.

This post is very general but was obviously written toward a specific person that the author knows or at one point did. There is no hint as to who the author could be; he is completely anonymous. In place of Location, the author provided "Better Off."

Craigslist's Missed Connection

Introduction

Personal ads are generally meant to spawn some type of relationship whether it be romance, friendship, casual or sometimes sexual. These ads are almost always anonymous. They started in newspapers, now also appear online

Since newspaper ad prices were based on lines of text, abbreviations were generated and have carried on (W:white, F:females, T:transgender...)

Examples: Craigslist- strictly platonic, casual encounters, missed connections

City Paper- "I love you, I hate you"

City Paper: I love you, I hate you

Jan.27-Feb.2 2011 #1339

Shiny Wig

I stood behind you when I was about to get off the train and I looked at your wig from behind! I said to myself, what is wrong with some women, are we all that lazy not to do our hair anymore? What the fuck! Then it looked like the woman had a whole bunch of greasy lube or some other substance in her hair! Then she ran her fingers through it and looked and smelled her fingers. I thought to myself how nasty I thought you were. It didn't make any sense. I know when you got home and took the wig off you were all sweaty and shit! I think that it is fucking disgusting! I hope that I don't see you again or moreless stand behind you!

This writing is informal and I notice switches audiences. The writer begins with "you," switches to "her," and ends with "you."