10 Top Tips For Dating Over 50

Over 28% of the population in the US were 55 or older. The Pew Research Center has said that 10% of the 50+ population is divorced. In a recent poll conducted by the AARP, it showed that two-thirds of the 65 to 80-year olds still have an interest in sex.

All these statistics in the older demographic is an indication for dating. But when dating at 50, you may not know what to expect, and what you need to be doing in order to meet people that interest you, go on good dates, or even find a relationship.

Here are 10 important tips you can use if you are interested in dating and you are over the age of 50.

1. Stop Worrying About Age

It might sound like a cliché to state that “age is just a number”, yet it is actually the truth. Just because you have reached a specific age, it does not mean that you are restricted from certain things, and this includes dating. You are allowed to go on dates, visit clubs, stay out late, or even spend the evening with another person. Just make sure you are doing things that make you feel happy and that you are not trying to hurt another person in the process.

2. Set Yourself A Few Dating Goals

Many singles that are over the age of 50 are very eager to get into a relationship. Yet it will not always go according to plan, and you will want to avoid rushing into a partnership or relationship until you know you are 100% ready. It also helps that you are clear from the start, about what type of person you are interested in. Yet, at the same time don’t become distracted about meeting “the one”, straight away. Think about your short-term and your long-term goals. For example, a short-term goal could include having fun and making new friends, while a long-term goal would involve entering into a relationship that is committed.

3. Consider Online Dating

More than 49 million individuals have gone onto online dating sites, so there is definitely some appeal to this option. In addition, with over 8,000 dating apps and sites currently available, it becomes easier to choose the ones that match up to your needs.

4. Keep An Open Mind

Even though first impressions happen to be important, they are still not everything. For example, you may feel chemistry on the first date that you go on, yet you feel very doubtful that you will see that individual again. Maybe they are polite, they are able to make you smile or laugh, yet at the time you may be thinking they are not “your type”. You need to let these expectations go, and maybe even ask if “your type” worked out for you in previous years. It is obvious that you should not be settling for a person that you have no feelings for, yet it is still a good idea that you have an open mind, which is especially true when you enter the dating scene again.

5. Take Initiative

Today women do not need to conform to dating rules that are outdated which include having to wait for a man to make the first move. In fact, both women and men should not be sitting in the “backseat” when dating. This might mean sending that initial message when on a dating site, asking for the first date, or leaning in for a kiss when you feel like it. When you take this type of initiative it will help you to feel more confident, and it will also let the person you are on a date with know that you are interested in them.

6. Be Safe

Technology may have made drastic improvements to our lives, and online dating happens to be one of these examples. However, this type of technology has also invited negative factors such as romance scams, identity theft, along with other types of scary situations. You need to make sure you stick to a few things to make sure every dating experience is fun and safe.

Create another email account which you can use for any online-dating communications. Avoid putting financial or personal information about yourself on your profiles. Conduct a Google search on a date before you meet them. Also, let a family member or a friend know where you plan to go on a date as well as the time you should be home.

7. Get With The Times

What has become very clear from the previous generations is that there were fewer choices available on who you could date. In previous years people used to hook up with a person that was suggested by a family member or someone that lived in the same neighborhood. Today, with the assistance of the online dating world, you are now offered with just about endless choices when it comes to suitors.

8. Be Upfront

Today most singles are not out to play games. Factors such as waiting 3 days after the first date to text or call the person, or waiting for the person to first say that they love you is an outdated method to try gain power over a relationship, that many of the daters, especially the types that are more experienced or older will notice even quicker. Today, people have become a lot more upfront about how they feel, and they want a date that is able to be upfront about their feelings too.

If you are in search of a committed relationship, mention this in your dating profiles. If you do not feel an attraction to a person after the first date, rather let them know as soon as possible. Avoid dragging it out, only to hurt the person’s feeling because you failed to be honest and upfront.

9. Be Understanding

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many singles over the age of 50 that are divorced, and you might fall into this category. Avoid thinking that divorce stands for baggage, it is rather just something that a person has gone through, and it in no way defines them as a person. Keep in mind that many of the mature singles will also have kids. It is often a rewarding and rich experience to date a person that is experienced and mature.

You might meet a person who had a tumultuous relationship with their ex, or you might meet a person who is not interested in dating an individual that has kids, or you might meet people that are going through entirely different situations. The whole point of the matter is that you are understanding of the situations of these people, and you will probably find that they will be a lot more understanding when it comes to yours.

10. Stay Positive

When it comes to dating over 50, you may need to come out of that shell, and go out on a date with a person that you would not normally choose. You may go out on a string of bad dates, yet keep in mind that many people have gone through the same thing. Avoid giving up too fast.

Provided you make sure you are making yourself available, trying new things, and you have a goal to have fun, you will be sure that somewhere along the way you will meet a person that has the same intentions and goals as you. And who knows they might just be your perfect match.