Posted: May 8, 2008, 11:54 AM CST
First of all, there are two ways to rate photos. One isn't necessarily gay, lesian or bi searching for a partner by looking through profiles of the opposite sex to rate them.
If you click on rate photos, you can specify just men or just women or better yet all, which will give you a really nice cross-section of photos of your fellow CS Members. For a woman, haven't you ever told a girlfriend she looks great? That's all you're doing here by rating photos. Take a look - there is nothing wrong with seeing who is on CS in a general way by flipping through and rating photos. You should, however, rate each photo honestly--is the person smiling, looking pleasant or pensive, angry or is it crude and lewd. Did the person put some time and effort into it or are they in the bathroom taking a picture with their cell phone in their grungy clothes (or worse, without them). Those who rate a photo 8 or above are recorded on a list, so you can look to see who they are and even thank them for their kind rating if you want to. I have received many kind notes from peope whose photo I rated 8, 9 or 10. It's a nice way to start a conversation. It is not a beauty or popularity contest and I think it would be nice if more people showed maturity and self confidence regarding the issue. People aren't rating photos because they are bored - they are rating photos because that way they get to see their fellow CS Members, a cross-section of the countryside as well as various interests, hobbies and animals.
I do find it disheartening when I see a profile photos of a woman in some state of undress with the lowest cut top and photo taken from above. There should be some "truth in advertising" here. How can you question being treated like a piece of meat, when meat pictures are all you post? Show your best side with class. Advertise the way you'd like to be treated. Not sure if anyone here will agree with me, but that's the best part of the forums - everyone can have their own opinion.
Smile and laugh every day - it will make the world smile with you!