I think it makes a lousy idea, but on the other hand, you could get lucky with one of the following:

Dublin Personal Ads

Heavy drinker,35, Cork area. Seeks gorgeous sex addict interested in a Man who loves his pints, cigarettes, Glasgow Celtic Football Club and Starting fights on Patrick Street at three o'clock in the morning.

Bitter, disillusioned Dublin man, lately rejected by long-time fiancée, seeks decent, honest, reliable woman, if such a thing still exists in this cruel world of hatchet-faced bitches.

Ginger haired Galway man, a trouble-maker, gets slit-eyed and shirty after a few scoops, seeks attractive, wealthy lady for bail purposes, maybe more.

Bad tempered, foul-mouthed old bastard, living in a damp cottage in the Arse end of Roscommon, seeks attractive 21 year old blonde lady, with a Lovely chest.

Devil-worshipper, Offaly area, seeks like-minded lady, for wining and dining, good conversation, dancing, romantic walks, and slaughtering cats in cemeteries at midnight under the flinty light of a pale moon.

Limerick man, 27, medium build, brown hair, blue eyes, seeks alibi for The night of February 27 between 8 PM and 11:30 PM.

 Optimistic Mayo man, 35, seeks a blonde 20 year old double-jointed supermodel, who owns her own brewery, and has an open-minded twin sister.  

I was a pretty shy guy - took forever to get up the courage to ask a woman out. I was in law school at night, working full time - didn't leave a lot of time. I placed an ad in Concerned Singles, which I got from the ads in The Nation Magazine. 14 years later we're still married. I have to admit, it was a stroke of luck. The first two women I met were neurotic and intense. But it happened.

Would have to agree with the panel on this...You would have to be one sad mofo to run an add in the paper, much less respond to one?? My mom and dad did met this way so I think my disdain is well warranted PS...Just kidding of course...Luv u mom & dad :)

Okay, this is probably the lamest way to meet someone or anyone. I seriously doubt anyone who runs an ad on themself in the paper is telling the truth and if they are then you quickly learn why they are still single.

Same thing with Online Personal Ads--you wouldn't know what you'd get, and it could get ugly and even dangerous. It could work, but probably not worth the risk.