I may be ill informed but dating seems to have physical expectations that I'm not interested in meeting. As I've mentioned here, I'm a virgin and that's totally fine by me. If it wasn't, there are plenty of ways for me to have rectified the situation. But dating is tough in the western world unless you're religious and seem to get married at any early age or don't seem to have any hang ups about physical relationships. 

Let me get something clear. Socially I'm a very personable individual. I'm funny, decent looking, in decent shape, well dressed, well spoken, and not awkward.  I make friends really really easily and most of my friends growing up were female and I still feel more comfortable around women than men. But being of low self esteem and having my insecurities constantly reinforced through rejection in a multitude of forms constantly has me questioning my worth to anyone. 

But even while I push through all that and try (I've been on a multitude of dating services for nearly 2 years now) I'm faced with no reciprocating interest from anyone. It doesn't exactly bode well for my esteem when you get no matches on 4 different services over the span of more than a year. Forget fear of rejection. I'm not even given the opportunity to be rejected. 

it's not that  hard to get a shag

I may be ill informed but dating seems to have physical expectations that I'm not interested in meeting. As I've mentioned here, I'm a virgin and that's totally fine by me. If it wasn't, there are plenty of ways for me to have rectified the situation. But dating is tough in the western world unless you're religious and seem to get married at any early age or don't seem to have any hang ups about physical relationships. 

Let me get something clear. Socially I'm a very personable individual. I'm funny, decent looking, in decent shape, well dressed, well spoken, and not awkward. I make friends really really easily and most of my friends growing up were female and I still feel more comfortable around women than men. But being of low self esteem and having my insecurities constantly reinforced through rejection in a multitude of forms constantly has me questioning my worth to anyone. 

But even while I push through all that and try (I've been on a multitude of dating services for nearly 2 years now) I'm faced with no reciprocating interest from anyone. It doesn't exactly bode well for my esteem when you get no matches on 4 different services over the span of more than a year. Forget fear of rejection. I'm not even given the opportunity to be rejected. 

I don't think that's true.

It may no longer be as widely seen as an essential prerequisite for sex or a serious relationship, (which isn't a bad thing in my opinion) but it's certainly in no danger of disappearing.

It doesn't need to be in danger in order to be "slowly dying", but, anyway, I said that based on some responses here and on some declarations I have heard in many places over the years. I know that (naturally) this experience doesn't represent the whole trend, so I may be completely wrong.

In a long term relationship for 5.5 years at this stage. She is starting to hint at a ring but I won't worry about that until next year at least

Also, the amount of single people voting is frightening. 

Not for you maybe.

If it helps at all, I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. I'm 27 as well, and while I have dated in the past, I started much later than my peers, (first date at 23) I've been in a total dry spell for some time now, and I too have tried multiple dating services and had absolutely zero success. Basically, you're not alone in finding dating a basically unwinnable game.