There's nothing wrong with being single. After spending a fair chunk of my life riding solo I know the pros and cons pretty well, but recently I've become aware of more complex issues, and they have nothing to do with loneliness and desperation, and plenty to do with the dating scene in general.

I've never looked at singledom as a problem or a curse. I have, however, got some gripes with the stigmas, labels and unwanted drama that come along with trying to find a compatible partner.

Why is it so difficult to meet the right person? Are singles' priorities so completely mixed that finding someone on the same page is miraculous?

This shouldn't be the case, but after meeting all sorts of women I'm beginning to feel that it is.

Here's why:

Playing games
I shake my head when people refer to dating as a game or a playing field. Since when is learning about others a game? I find that idea slightly disingenuous and I hope I'm not the only one. Game playing and manipulation ruin relationships and are the distinct signs of immaturity, selfishness and a complete lack of self-worth.

Presenting something other than the real you insults people's intelligence. It's not like you can sustainably be anything other than yourself anyway, so why bother? Learning to be comfortable and confident in who and what you are is surely more beneficial than faking it under false pretences.

Unfortunately, when it comes to dating, you have to second guess everything someone says, and it's a bit depressing.

All about using the other person
Women don't want to be used for sex. I get that. What I don't understand is the assumption that men only want them for it. Does this paranoia come from being too easy or duped in the past?

Chatting with another guy about this I started to get a grip with the mindset. He said he went on three dates with a girl and paid every time, so he assumed she'd sleep with him soon. It sounded almost like delayed prostitution, but I got his point (as warped as it seemed).

If sex is a reward for buying a girl drinks or meals then it's fairly obvious why no guy has bothered to stay around with her. Act like a prostitute, get treated like one. It's simple.

Chivalry isn't dead by any means, but if the man is paying for everything past the first date you have to question what the girl's reasons are for being there. Isn't she just using that guy for a couple of free nights out?

Please, people, let's split the costs so there's no guilt or mistaken intentions. As for sex, well it should be a result of great chemistry, not obligation or assumption. Girls probably don't want a player, and guys don't particularly want an easy girl.

Ticking the boxes
Women frequently appear to head out on dates with a checklist. I understand that there are certain desirable qualities (humour, looks, ambition etc) and certain undesirable qualities (arrogant, flashy, bad breath etc) but none of those require a checklist to notice. They come from a person's aura.

Why is it, then, that dates feel like a job interview? I'd rather leave a date feeling positive and somewhat inspired, not like I've been cross-examined and put under a microscope.

Women, ditch the checklist and try and move past your thoughts on whether our job title's good enough, we earn enough money or drive a cool enough car.

Unfortunately I feel women are motivated by watching shows like Sex and the City, and it's not a realistic portrayal of singledom. It's the equivalent of every guy thinking he's Vincent Chase out of Entourage. A nice thought. Hardly rational.

If you stick to being yourself, avoid games and try and offer new people a fresh slate, dating would (hopefully) be a much nicer experience.

Of course you need to have your standards, and settling for second best can only lead to a miserable existence, but the right person is surely out there.

After all, if you don't believe in something, you can't ever expect to find it. It's the looking, however, that seems to bring me down.

What frustrates you the most when it comes to dating? Are women to blame or are we both at fault? Have your say below.