Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Dating: Younger vs. Older -You Decide!

It was recently brought to my attention that I have been dating nothing but "younger" men lately. It was more of a chastise than a comment. I was a little taken aback by my friend's remark. "So what?" was my response. Because really, it irritated me just a little bit. She went on to tell me that dating younger men was just a way for me to avoid commitment. Seriously? Because we all know that younger men are not "commitment" material? Whatever. I had never heard of something so ridiculous! (ok, yes I have but for the sake of this blog, I haven't) Her comment stayed with me for a few days. I did a self-inventory of my dating life to date. In the end, I counted 4 younger men in the past couple of YEARS that I had either dated for a little while or went out with a few times. Meh. I wholeheartedly disagree with her. Sure, I get the "Mrs. Robinson" reference a lot, or the "Cougar" label, but I don't really care about that. I actually find it funny and sometimes I'm kind of smug about it. I don't intentionally go out looking for younger men. They just happen to be the ones that I have been connecting with lately. I mean, I don't discard a man my own age or older either--I'm an equal opportunity dater.  The youngest man I have ever dated was twelve years younger than me. Twelve. It's funny how society either embraces you for dating the "older woman" or "younger man" or they totally anihilate you. In my case, I go out with whomever I please. If there is a mutual attraction, great! If not, we both have a good time and make the most of the date and then go our separate ways. Dating is difficult enough, why make it more so? And what a one-sided comment about dating younger men as a way to avoid commitment! Apparently, according to my lovely friend, she seems to think that because I'm over forty, clearly it is my commitment phobia that is keeping me single.  No my friend, I don't have commitment issues. In fact, I am a "commitment all the way" kind of girl.  It's just that, again, I haven't found someone that I want to commit to.  At least, not yet.

4 comments:

Belle said...

Dating is tough. I'd say it is fine to date any age guy you want.

Anonymous said...

Some people are always fast to give advice and opinion, but slow to take any. No worries about them. Enjoy yourself!

Karen M. Peterson said...

People have a lot of opinions and, in my experience, the ones quickest to share their opinions often have the least valuable input to give.

Date whomever makes you happy. That's all any of us can or should do. And if it makes other people unhappy, well, that's on them.

Jenny said...

The only thing that matters is how you feel, personally, about your own choices.

My second husband taught me a wonderful retort when people say nasty things about issues that are none of their business.

"Why would you ask me that?" I enquire with big, innocent eyes.

And they stutter and become uncomfortable.

I'm visiting you from the Weekend Link up.

I'm number 71 if you'd like to visit me back.

Chapter 56

The sunlight peeping through the curtains, stir her from her sleep.  Her eyes open and she rubs them a bit before sitting up in bed.  Eyes n...