Some people are not very friendly with " Hi, how are you " messages! Because imagine that a certain type of group: women and native english speakers receive these messages constantly and they cannot be available for everyone. 

So I'd suggest you guys to try being more specific in the message, show that you are really interested in whatever you're interested in. Don't write too few but don't write too long, I think that's the key and try to target only people that could benefit from you as well. If you're a Persian speaker, go for Persian learners that seem to be serious about it! 

Wish you guys luck! 

I don't like native English Speakers who  message me and write that they want to practice Spanish and they never get online on Skype. Also, I don't like that American Mormons message me offering a language exchange and then on Skype, they only want to try to convert me and when I tell them that I'm not interested in their religion they tell me that I'm going to burn in hell. Then, I'm like "See you there".  Also, I don't like people who write things like "I have 24 years old" and charge money for teaching English giving good teachers on Italki a bad name. 

I don't like when people don't reply to messages. I think it is quite impolite. I don't like the people who reply once and then disappear.  These people are really annoying. And what I hate the most is the people,especially boys, who think this site is a dating site. 

Funny conversation. I am an English speaking woman and I put on my profile I am not looking for language partners now and the requests died down. Also, I put my age (which is on the older side for italki) thinking that might deter some folks . . but my mom said men generally don't start leaving you alone until your 50s despite attempts to reduce attractivness. 

(Hopefully you all can see my reply is meant to be funny -- I think the woman out there will understand :) )

I agree with Mr. Bear that actual good discussions and debates on iTalki are hard to come by. Most people on here seem to be mature adults, but yet we still have some members who don't understand that disrespecting people and attacking them are not valid ways to contribute to meaningful discussions. And they kind of ruin it for everyone, I think.

Also, something else I'd like to add: I find that ever since I changed my picture from that of myself to an inaminate object, I've gotten less messages and friend requests. I still get some once in a while, but not as much as before. I know a lot of people want to keep pictures of themselves, which is fine, but if you already have all the friends and language partners you need and you're not looking for anyone else, changing your picture might help keep some unwanted people away (sorry that sounds kind of mean but I couldn't think of a good way to phrase that). Just a thought!