ClueChick: real clues from a real chick

I arrange most of my hookups by way of Craig's List, as you all know, and specifically the casual encounters section. I've taken to joking with my friends that you can get anything you want on CL: a new bed, a language class, a lover. I love the internet!

And CE is pretty clear: people are looking for hookups, FWB, what have you. So I'm always confused when I get a response from someone saying he's looking for The One. I, of course, am lacking the tendency toward traditional romance, anyway, and this whole "The One" concept is like a foreign language to me. But even setting that aside, I can't help wondering what's wrong with these guys who are looking for something serious on a board that's explicitly and specifically for non-attached hookups?

Do they want something casual but think their odds will be better if they make out like they're big romantics? Do they want something serious and have struck out with all the women who are on the road to marriage? Are they just deeply, deeply confused?

I always want to write these guys back and say, "Listen, that's sweet and all, but you look kind of pathetic and unfortunate when you start trolling the casual board for your one-and-only." I know that more than one long term relationship has come out of what was supposed to be a fling, and maybe there are women who are specifically hoping for that. But all that faking around would make me worry about what kind of honesty I was about to get in a relationship.

But, then, honesty -- and I don't mean honesty about, say, minor details, but, rather, honesty and forthrightness about how one is oriented towards oneself and the world -- seems not to be a huge priority for a lot of people. No wonder so many people end up unhappy.