Just curious doncha know....I confess to having tried Match and the like a few times. Occasionally some 30 something guy pings me back. I find myself thinking they couldn't possibly be very interesting, not having enough life experience under the belt. But let's face it, they may have other things 'under the belt' that could compensate for that :)

I'm 49, relatively young at heart, divorced for several years and still trying to figure this dating thing out.

Whatcha think?

I have always been attracted to younger men but in general I wouldn't put too much bearing on age. When I was going through my separation/divorce back in 2001 (at age 36), a guy 12 years my junior asked me out. In debating whether to meet up with him for a Dave Matthews concert in Houston, my good and wise friend said 'Why not?'. She was absolutely right. I met up with him and ended up having a wonderful 6 month relationship with him. He was smart, funny, loving and attentive and an amazing lover!! He was just what the doctor ordered at that point in my life. At 42,I am now married to a wonderful, super smart, funny fellow who is 5 years my junior (and an amazing lover!). Anyway...two good examples of why age is just a statitic. Go with your gut and your heart and forget about the numbers.

It sounds like you have done well in the below the belt department with the younger guys :) Thanks for your encouraging stories!

I think you're right and probably instead of thinking about it I should just try it and see whether it suits me well or not a la your advice.

I do think I'm a better 'fit' for guys somewhat younger, like your 5 years...I'm pretty young in heart and spirit. I don't know if it's just the older guys I've met but it seems as though once they get into the 53 or 54 range, they are ready to slow down.

Could it be because they've been fighting their way through the corporate jungle for 30 years and need a well deserved rest? Understandable.

I feel I'm just getting started and revved up in many ways especially professionally. There is still a lot I want to accomplish :)

You're right. The only things that matter with age is wine and cheese! lol
We are individuals with individual tastes and desires. No matter the age, you will find men of all ages either energetic or lethargic, interesting or dull and with an active libido or impotent.
We live in a smorgasbord of dating opportunities. Why not take a taste of everything to eventually find out what you want on your plate?

So Mr. Tell Tommy,

I find so many women revving up big time starting in their late 40s. I found that as soon as I crossed the 50 mark, my experiences in online dating took a dramatic turn. From having LOTS of attention on there, to a complete change in the kind of attention I got.

Suddenly, mostly guys 10+ years older than me, and having already been widowed once, I'm not wanting to stack the deck that way right off the bat. I'm usually mistaken for being 7 to 10 years younger and still get attention just out and about so over 60 for those reasons just doesn't feel right. The guys in my age range stopped being interested and started looking for women 10 - 15 years younger than themselves.

I hear that story a lot from women this age. What gives do you think?

And, what is your website?

Allison

Hey Allison,

As men age they question their own mortality. As young men we believed we were immortal, hence the risk taking and stupid things we did in our youth.
Suddenly we see more gray, wrinkles, and thinning and we freak. We work out, we dye our hair we do any and everything to defy the aging process; and one of those things is the desire to be associated with younger women so we can convince ourselves that we "still got it."
Of course, there is the risk factor of making fools out of ourselves, but if immortality is the reward, so be it.
Now, after all that; believe it or not, there are men out there who appreciate women their own age. I know I don't want to be bothered with children at my age or have to stay up until 3 am every Saturday night and boogy til the sun comes up. Been there, done that; and I am not alone.
Also remember, we see what we choose to see and if older men with younger women is what you want to see, you will. If, however, you'd like to visualize a man your age interested in you... you'll see it when you believe it.
Check out my myspace page/howefare and that also has a link to womens online mag where more of my articles are.
Nice talking with you.
Tommy