ClueChick: real clues from a real chick

A lot of the photos I get were clearly taken when the subject is inebriated. This strikes me as okay, especially if you're a party guy, since you're telling your prospective dates something about yourself with your photo. As long as you don't have that slack-jawed, empty-eyed look of someone who's about to make a break for the bathroom, or, in case of a line, the nearest planter, drunk photos are fine. In some cases, they're better than fine, because there's a lot of entertainment to be had with a picture of a strange guy singing karaoke with another guy in a plush turtle suit (don't ask; I didn't).

One thing, however, that I advise against, is the photo of you plus some random chick. Especially if you've done that goofy black-bar-over-her-eyes thing. If you have the technology to make her look like a Glamour "don't", you have the technology to take her out of the picture entirely. If you have your arm around her like she's your girlfriend, it's just kind of weird to send that to a potential fuckbuddy. If she has a black bar over her eyes in a picture of her sucking your cock, not only do I think it's weird, I think you're an asshole to boot.

The best thing to do, if you can, is to have a good picture of yourself without anyone else in it. If you can't do that, you should cut as much of the other person or people (if they're recognizable) out of the picture as possible while still giving a reasonable impression of you. Whiting out the other person's face, or just her eyes, is nothing more than weird. Don't bother.

I'm all for openness in relationships, and I'm no stickler for monogamy, so I'm not saying this because sending a picture of yourself with a woman will make you look like you're cheating or anything like that. Rather, it makes you look like you don't care about the privacy of this chick whose picture you're sending out to strangers.

Also, I don't like it if she's prettier than I am. Call me shallow and insecure, but I hate to feel like I don't measure up. If I think you're going to ding me because I'm not a 10 (and I'm not), I probably won't bother being in touch with you.

Think about what you're saying with your picture. Are you saying, "I will use photographs of you without your permission in the future," or "I look good when I'm three sheets to the wind," or "I fucked this girl before you, don't you feel special?" Personally, I suggest the message should focus, rather, on you, and it should say, "I'm attractive, well-groomed, and will give you a great orgasm if you just give me the chance."