When you have it written in your online dating profile that, for example, you aren't interested in meeting anyone who has children already, but you still get messages from people who are very proud parents, it can be frustrating. Not just because it is a waste of your time to get messages from people you know you aren't really interested in (and okay, they could make the argument that how do you know you won't be interested in ALL parents and not just some?), but because it means that the person either read your profile and ignored your request, or didn't read it at all.

It's irritating when someone blatantly ignores your profile. You took the time to write it carefully, putting in things you're looking for in a person as well as explaining what sort of person you are, and the person who sent you a message just bypassed all that information.

Aside from being irritating, it can also come off as arrogant—if, for example, you say you're not looking to date anyone over a certain age, and someone older messages you, it's as if their line of though is that while you might not want anyone else who is over the age of 45, you might want them.

Regardless of whether your parameters are fair—some people may argue that putting things you don't  want in a partner is detrimental and you should be more accepting—it's still sort of annoying when someone discounts your preferences in hopes that you'll change your mind.

That said, if you come across something in someone's profile that eliminates you from the running, it may be tempting to message them anyways just to see if they'll give you a chance, but for everyone's sake, just move on to the next profile.

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