I'm not sure depressing is the correct word, but it does seem that whole concept of 'dating' these days is a completely different animal to the one that I used to know.
It seems to have evolved into a series of tests and guidelines that I just don't really understand, but again that's probably down to me being a forty-something happily married fella.
Hard work indeed and I don't envy you chaps at all, but best of luck with it