Dating Rules For Seniors

Oct 16, 2013 Dating After 60 Can Actually Be Fun. Dating coaches take a more positive stance on dating after 60. They explain that a change in mindset is essential for women over 60 who want to find romance. In my recent interview with dating coach, David Wygant, he suggested that men are often the ones who lack confidence and suffer from fear of rejection. Senior dating websites are an excellent way for seniors to find love later in life. The website is suitable for single, separated, or widowed seniors who want a second chance at love. These senior dating websites allow all types of relationships and genders. It does not matter if you are bisexual, gay, transgender, straight, or lesbian.

By Gordon EdwardsSubmitted On November 03, 2009

After several months of using an internet dating service, I decided to read some books about online dating. They all suggested a series of rules to follow, most of which were intended to help women feel safe. Their rules often failed to deal with what people in their 50s and 60s could expect. So here are some alternative rules that I think fit senior citizens a lot better.

1. The guy usually initiates contact.

This is not so much a rule as a practical expectation. There have been times when the woman contacted me first, but she usually asked me not to tell anyone that she took the initiative. Most of the time, women seem to prefer having the man start off communications. I can't speak for all men, but I am comfortable with women initiating contact and there have been times when I was very glad they did.

2. Beware of false intimacy through online or telephone conversations.

Keep your e-mails or telephone calls to basic introductory information and avoid getting too personal until after you have met in person. There is a false sense of intimacy that can come with e-mail conversations and could lead you to get into very personal information too quickly. The time to share deeper and more personal matters is after two or more in-person meetings have gone well and you have a more direct impression of the other person. Before the face-to-face meeting you may share your private e-mail address and phone numbers.

3. Suggest a face-to-face meeting by the fourth e-mail.

Some women will want to continue e-mail for a few weeks and some will want to talk on the telephone before an in-person meeting. I usually agree to as many as two telephone conversations before a meeting. If they aren't comfortable meeting you for any reason, it is usually best to move on to others who are ready to meet face-to-face.

4. Meet for lunch or a drink in a convenient, well-lighted restaurant.

Some books suggest meeting for coffee but that has always struck me as the cheap skate's way of meeting people. Never meet in a dimly lighted bar where the noise level may be too high for conversation. Never meet in the evening when it's the first time. This helps the woman feel safer and the atmosphere is much better for conversation.

Dating rules for seniors over 80

5. Swapping cell phone numbers is often a good idea.

This is especially helpful if you are meeting at a location not familiar to you. I usually make it clear that the phone should be used primarily if the other person is going to be late or has difficulty finding the right location.

6. Guys should be prepared to pay the check nearly all the time.

Sometimes women will offer to help pay. Less often they may insist on separate checks before the meal is ordered. Most of the time, however, women will assume the man is going to pick up the check unless other arrangements have been discussed.

7. After three dates, expect her to show some initiative.

Dating guidelines for older women

Men will usually do the asking for the first two or three meetings, but it is fair to expect some show of initiative after three dates. My experience is that if a woman really wants to see you again, she will find a way to invite you for dessert or a glass of wine or even dinner. If she doesn't take some action to indicate she wants to continue seeing you, it is time to move on to someone else.

These rules worked for me as I dated nineteen women in a period of four months. Fortunately, I found someone worth waiting for and we then enjoyed a year-long relationship. I can't promise these rules will bring you similar results - but I am sure they will save you some wasted time and effort.

Gordon Scott Edwards is the author of the memoir Internet Safari, Finding Love Online at 65. More online dating tips for senior citizens can be found on his website at [http://www.gordonscottedwards.com].

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gordon_Edwards/463669

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Edwards, Gordon 'Online Dating For Seniors - Seven Practical Rules.' Online Dating For Seniors - Seven Practical Rules. 3 Nov. 2009 EzineArticles.com. 23 Dec. 2021 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Online-­Dating-­For-­Seniors-­-­-­Seven-­Practical-­Rules&id=3201360>.
APA Style Citation:
Edwards, G. (2009, November 3). Online Dating For Seniors - Seven Practical Rules. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Online-­Dating-­For-­Seniors-­-­-­Seven-­Practical-­Rules&id=3201360
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Returning to the dating scene can be terrifying for seniors. What am I supposed to do and when am I supposed to do it? What should I wear? Where should we go? Questions! Questions! Questions!

Common sense should prevail when it comes to proper dating etiquette for senior singles. Here are our Top 10 quick tips to proper dating etiquette for single seniors who are starting to reenter the dating arena.

  1. Be ready with some open-ended questions.
  2. Keep your conversation appropriate.
  3. Allow the first kiss to happen naturally.
  4. Only date one person at a time or be upfront about it.
  5. Take your time.
  6. Have fun.

Read on for a further explanation.

Contents

  • 2 Our Top 10 etiquette tips for single seniors
  • 3 Allow the first kiss to happen naturally

What is etiquette?

Wikipedia says that etiquette is the set of conventional rules of personal behavior in polite society, usually in the form of an ethical code that delineates the expected and accepted social behaviors that accord with the conventions and norms observed by a society, a social class, or a social group.

Our Top 10 etiquette tips for single seniors

With apologies to Emily Post, here are suggestions. Rules seem to be too rigid and harsh. Rules stifle fun. Common sense fosters fun!

Be honest in your search

After my wife passed and I decided that I should start dating, I turned to online dating. Having married my high school sweetheart, I was really, really inexperienced at dating. She was really the only one I seriously dated in high school. It was terrifying, to say the least. We had moved quite a bit over our almost 40 years of marriage.

I knew of and about people all over the country. I was totally surprised to see people I knew pop up in my searches. They could have won awards in creative writing. Many of the pictures were twenty years out of date as well.

Senior Dating Tips

Be comfortable in your own skin. You are what you are. We all have warts. There is nothing to be gained by posting old pictures and phony bios. How would you explain the differences during the first date anyway? That’s not a good way to establish a relationship. I wrote about online dating in an earlier article. You can read it here.

Men should pay for the first date

Senior

I am a bit old fashioned but I believe men should always pay for the first date. If finances are a bit tight, choose the venue for your first date accordingly. Conversely, women should be prepared to offer to pay their share or to leave the tip.

Focus on the little things that do not cost anything. If you are spending less on her, ramp up the attention.

In the liberated environment of today, women can and do take the lead. A new line of thinking is that whoever extended the invitation should pay. However, I am a traditionalist. I think it is best to follow tradition no matter who extended the invitation and the man should pay.

Always choose a public place for a first date

Safety has to be the first rule of senior dating, especially if you met online. Never propose or never agree to any venue that will put you in jeopardy. Chose public, well-lighted places. It is best to meet at the chosen venue. Meeting rather than being picked up has the added benefit of being able to leave when you want to leave if things are going badly.

Follow your gut. If things feel uncomfortable, end the date immediately.

Always let a friend know when and where you’re going and when you will be back. It adds another layer of safety.

Best behavior is mandatory

Both parties need to be on their best behavior. So, what does best behavior look like for you? First of all, avoid the big three topics that might not end well: religion, politics, and money. Everything you do should be built on the foundation of respect – for yourself and for your date.

Relying on more traditional manners from Emily Post to start out any relationship will get you started right! One never has to apologize for being a lady or gentleman.

Be ready with some open-ended questions

Long pauses in the conversation can seem like an eternity. Avoid them by having in mind a few open-ended questions in mind to stimulate the conversation.

Consider it your responsibility to keep the conversation going – not by talking but by asking open-ended questions. You know, who, what, why, when, where questions. They stimulate conversation.

Avoid closed end questions. Those are questions that can be answer by yes or no. They kill conversation. Consider what answers you will get with “what are your hobbies”versus “do you like to ski” and you will get the idea.

If you ask your date about themselves and speak little of yourself, your date will think you are a wonderful conversationalist. In fact, they will be right. You will be!

eHarmony has a great article. Check it our here.

Keep your conversations appropriate

Senior Dating Tips For Women

Forget about past relationships. Whether past relationships were good or bad, nothing good comes from looking back while you are getting acquainted on a first date, a second date, or even a third date. There will be plenty of time for that later if the relationship develops.

Focus on the one you are with today and look forward. It is extremely bad form to go on and on about an ex. Conversely, going on and on about a departed partner can be just as bad. It is OK to answer questions but do not dwell on the past.

Be cautious with financial information. Of course, full financial disclosure is mandatory at some point if the relationship develops. Finances should be a taboo subject on a first date and a red flag if it comes up during your date.

Allow the first kiss to happen naturally

Remember your first kiss when you were a teenager? It was exciting, exhilarating, and scary all in the same moment. You probably were not very good at it either. But, it all turned out alright, didn’t it?

Unleash your inner teenager. Just don’t rush it. Who initiates that first kiss? Either one of you can.

First date? Second date? Third Date? It doesn’t matter. You’ll know when the time is right. Here’s another place to follow your gut.

Aren’t butterflies fun!? They are not exclusive to teenagers and young adults.

Only date one person at a time

It is not unusual to date many different people at a time. The caveat here is that you always need to be open and tell your date. The decision to go exclusive should be a mutual decision. It is not a decision to be rushed.

Take your time

Although, as seniors, our time may be limited, senior dating is more of a marathon than a sprint. Courting requires time. Your courting behavior creates and fosters a woman’s feelings of attraction. The opposite is true as well.

Have fun

Remember that your goal is to get acquainted not a life mate. It is the first date after all. Relax. Smile. Have fun. What is the worst thing that can happen? Quite frankly, if you watch out for your personal safety in your planning, the worst thing that can happen is you don’t go out again. The best thing is you go out again. Isn’t that a win-win proposition?

Best senior dating sites

Following are my Top 5 dating sites for seniors.

  • Match
  • eHarmony
  • Christian Mingle
  • Silver Singles
  • Elite Singles

You can read my review of them here.

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