Peeves: People who can't spell

MG told me eharmony.com matched her with a man whose profile was full of misspellings, though it mentioned he is "bright." I have seen so many women's profiles with creative spellings for "intelligent" that it has become a joke. Why can't some people spell (or be honest)? Is it deficient schooling, lack of attention, lack of interest, lack of intelligence, lack of discipline -- or some combination? Is it so hard?

That said, I worry much less about spelling in personal email -- which is meant to be informal and convenient -- than in any venue that is professional or reflects poorly on the writer. As LK says, often one letter or email is all that others will receive in order to form an opinion about you!