It's getting really tedious to have to go in and delete the stack of notifications that I get. Just one a day would be plenty.

Click on your inbox (the icon that looks like an envelope)
Then you will see "mail preferences".
You can stop the emails there.

you are correct, the system keeps switching it back to "yes".
And I'm still getting message notifications.
Oh well, I really haven't found anyone serious about a long term thing anyway,

I guess everyone need the mail notification

Like Cloven says, the system doesn't let you change it from yes.

I've also discovered that there's no support or help. In addition, no way to hide your profile or delete it.