Are you mad, Pastafreak? You're asking CBers to read The Independent!!!!!! CB is for Sun readers, 'News' is for Mail readers. Perhaps 'Society & Culture' has the people who read The Indie?
Oh, you wanted an answer? Actually, I'm inclined to agree. I've only ever once met someone through a 'lonely hearts' ad (which I responded to, rather than placed). I felt awkward and constrained by the English conventions relating to being 'polite'. I'm sure that if I was French or Italian I'd have handled the situation with far greater ease and confidence.
Chris