What are the worst online dating messages?

Sending the perfect first message should always be your priority when using online dating sites, as it will give you the best possible chance of success.

After all, many people will simply not respond if you do not grab their attention with a message that intrigues them, so it is effectively your one shot at striking up conversation with someone you like the look of.

Unfortunately, not everyone always manages to get it right when it comes to the first message, as Shape magazine has documented in a recent piece about the worst lines that have been used.

For instance, it started by telling how one person opened his correspondence with a prospective date with the words: "Oh my! … What BIG teeth you have!"

Pointing out abnormalities or features that people might be conscious of is unlikely to ever lead to a meaningful relationship, so steer well clear of such a tactic.

Another bad idea is to open an exchange with a lustful suggestion, as online daters typically want to be wooed. Getting to know someone is a must, so trying to make a relationship physical too soon – especially with someone you have not met – is reckless.

One man opened his conversation with a potential date by asking whether she enjoyed foot rubs. While this might simply have been him showing he is willing to please, keeping slightly unusual fetishes a secret is a must.

Remember not to go over the top too soon, just like one online dater did when he suggested he would be happy to swim the Amazon in order to win a webcam date with one lady.

Instead, users are perhaps better off focusing on the profile of the person they are sending a message to and working out whether they have mutual interests to discuss or, failing that, simply revealing interesting features of their own lives.