Everyone on dating sites say they're are funny, good company, sociable, good listeners/conversationalists, respectful, bladiblablar.
Way back when there was newspaper and magazine dating sections where people were restricted by space or how many letters they could afford people had to concisely describe themselves in as positive a way as possible to be as attractive to as many people as possible.
People then went to the internet and brought that style with them.
And now it's just perpetuated.
Those people that are "everyone on dating sites say..." aren't taking a lot of time to think about what they're writing, they're just trying to get the quickest thing out there that conveys the most generally attractive qualities as possible to get the most amount of responses.
If you truly are all that, then why do you (have to) resort to dating sites to find dates/a partner?
This seems to be like asking "if Mercedes' are such great cars, why do they have to resort to advertising?"
Just wondering if it's a myth that you only find "left-overs" online.
I think when you're over 30, 40, 50, 60, and you've been actively using online dating sites for 10, 20 years, then you can probably start considering you are either a "left-over" or you don't really want to be in a long term relationship.
if you are truly such a great catch ... men/women should be falling at your feet? So what the heck are you doing here?
Maybe the "right one" isn't falling at their feet.
Maybe people fall at their feet every day.
Maybe the people that fall at their feet are a certain type or "quality." But they're all the unwanted kind.
Maybe they've had so many "unwanted kind" falling at their feet those are the only kind they can really identify anymore.
They've acclimated to the ease by which they spot the "unwanted kind."
They may have the "right one" fall at their feet but since they don't really act the same as the "unwanted kind" their behavior is not understood.
Eventually, day after day after day of the "unwanted kind" falling for them they are going to go somewhere to 1. get away from them, 2. try a new venue to find the "right one."
If a million people come up and slap you and steal your money for every 1 person that comes up and ignores you as their way to communicate wanting to give you money, you're going to spend more time and learn to spot those that are going to hurt you, not give you stuff.
And eventually, you'll move and look for a place where people aren't slapping you.
Not to mention, one thing that isn't ever mentioned in this stuff ("funny, good company, sociable, good listeners/conversationalists, respectful, bladiblablar") is "highly capable in making good dating decisions and identifying the ideal partner."
-Do people not socialize enough anymore to find someone in real life?
The internet is just becoming "real life."
There is less disconnect.
There's less "live my life la dee da, then go home and sit on a desk top for too long oh no it's detracting from what I really want and should do, I have to disconnect, wake up and go back to my real life tomorrow, and then come back to my second world."
Internet is incorporating into basic social interaction and fulfilling what people want and should do in their daily life.
Some people treat it as a second existence. To more and more it's just real life.
-Are their practical reasons?
There are always practical reasons not to do something.
-Or are many ppl on dating sites "leftovers" after all?
IMO yes, if you're referring to something more like "bottom of the barrel" or the "dregs."
Online dating sites are no different than the corner bar.
Eventually, over time, it's mostly just the bar flies and alcoholics, and neighborhood regulars.
The "new meat" want the shiny new dance club that is catering to them.
I don't see using dating sites as "resorting". Well sometimes it is kind of a "resort"; the games, jokes, and poems are kind of relaxing. The forums are interesting and sometimes funny. 
If I'm honest, I just really don't like dating all that much. Once you've met someone and go on 2nd, 3rd etc. dates, yes! Great! Love that! But all those meet & greets ... I often just can't be bothered. And I know I will have to, otherwise I'll never meet someone. 
