Age Gap in Relationships

[lily.]

Following on from the indecent proposal (lol)...

What age gap do you personally think you'd be comfortable with in a relationship?

This debate isn't about what you think is right for other people, but what you think is right for yourself.

I'd say 5 years either way would be ok for me, but I doubt I'd go beyond that.

[Annie]

I would say upto 10 years older and 3 years younger. I dont think age really matters. Its how you feel with that person.

[Mark]

For men: half your age + 7 and upwards, when you are 18+


That's "the rule" :thumbs:

[SiaSiaSia]

I'm 17.
I think I could go out with anyone up to around 34? (Unless they were David Tennant... <3)
But I don't think I could date a 15 year old. A 16 year old I reckon would be okay...

so that's like 17+, and 1- hahahaha

[Barbie]

At 18 i wouldn't go for anyone under 17 or anyone over 21..

[lily.]

Originally posted by ***********
Clearly if a young guy about 18 is with a gorgeous 29 year old or 25 year old... HES AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND!!

If theres a man 49 going for a girl 16, he deserves to be in prison

See, I don't get that.. yet my male friends have said the same thing... it's the shizzle for an 18yr old lad to score with a woman in her 20s or 30s..

[lily.]

Originally posted by Mark
For men: half your age + 7 and upwards, when you are 18+


That's "the rule" :thumbs:

Wait...


So, a 40 yr old guy can have a 27 yr old gf.. ? Am I doin it right?

[Mark]

Yep, 27+ :dance2:

[Harry!]

Madonna and Guy and 10 years gap

[John.]

Originally posted by lili
Following on from the indecent proposal (lol)...

HEHE! offer still stands!:laugh2: < this is a joke for those who don't get it!

[SiaSiaSia]

Originally posted by Barbie-big-bro
At 18 i would go for anyone under 17 or anyone over 21..

Anyone under 17?!
-Expects to see Barbie-big-bro on the sex offenders list :wink:-

[Annie]

Mark I have heard of that rule as well when Matt was 24 and seeing me I was 19, so that makes it perfect.

24/2 = 12 + 7 = 19!! That is me!

[lily.]

Originally posted by JD.
Originally posted by lili
Following on from the indecent proposal (lol)...

HEHE! offer still stands!:laugh2:

Seriously man.. cut it out!!!!

Mark, sort him out lol

[Annie]

Originally posted by SiaSiaSia
Originally posted by Barbie-big-bro
At 18 i would go for anyone under 17 or anyone over 21..

Anyone under 17?!
-Expects to see Barbie-big-bro on the sex offenders list :wink:-
Yeah i think she meant WOULDN'T

[Barbie]

Originally posted by SiaSiaSia
Originally posted by Barbie-big-bro
At 18 i would go for anyone under 17 or anyone over 21..

Anyone under 17?!
-Expects to see Barbie-big-bro on the sex offenders list :wink:-

Ahh i meant i wouldn't oh no.. editing it now :blush2:

Edit: edited! :thumbs:

[lily.]

Originally posted by Mark
Yep, 27+ :dance2:

Does this rule only apply to men then?

[lily.]

Originally posted by Barbie-big-bro
Originally posted by SiaSiaSia
Originally posted by Barbie-big-bro
At 18 i would go for anyone under 17 or anyone over 21..

Anyone under 17?!
-Expects to see Barbie-big-bro on the sex offenders list :wink:-

Ahh i meant i wouldn't oh no.. editing it now :blush2:

I wondered if anyone was guna call you on that one lol.. shoulda known Sia would do it.. :nono: Lmao!

[Captain.Remy]

I don't think I could go out with an older (like really older) woman than me. I mean, I always like to be the oldest. It feels like I'm in control of God knows what but still. I'm a bit macho on that point lol

But hey, people can do whatever they want with their a$$, their privacy. I can see why it can shock people but mentalities are changing and it's becoming more and more accepted.

[lily.]

It is more socially acceptable now Remy. I think people are more inclined to mind their own business nowadays.

I personally couldn't imagine going out with a guy under 30 now though... that would just make me feel like a relic! LoL.. At the same time, I draw the line around 40, cuz I don't want to go out with a relic.. (haha.. I'm bad!)

[Annie]

Originally posted by Captain.Remy
I don't think I could go out with an older (like really older) woman than me. I mean, I always like to be the oldest. It feels like I'm in control of God knows what but still. I'm a bit macho on that point lol

But hey, people can do whatever they want with their a$$, their privacy. I can see why it can shock people but mentalities are changing and it's becoming more and more accepted.

I am older than you! Dont you love me anymore? :rolleyes:

[CiaraD]

Well Im 14 so I think I could go out with a 14 year old or 15 year old, maybe 16.
I don't think anyone under 13 lol

[Wildcat!]

As long as people dont confuse her for my mom at a restaurant, Or later on maybe something like, sir, your daughter is beautiful, then its OK!:angel:

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Annie
Originally posted by Captain.Remy
I don't think I could go out with an older (like really older) woman than me. I mean, I always like to be the oldest. It feels like I'm in control of God knows what but still. I'm a bit macho on that point lol

But hey, people can do whatever they want with their a$$, their privacy. I can see why it can shock people but mentalities are changing and it's becoming more and more accepted.

I am older than you! Dont you love me anymore? :rolleyes:

You're less than a year older than me, it doesn't matter then. :love:

I'm saying I couldn't with older like 27+. At this age, women know more about sex than a 19 y-o guy and I couldn't bare it. Like I said, I need to feel I am the big one. Especially in bed lmao :hugesmile: OK I stop now, kids are reading.

[lily.]

hahaha AMA... yeah, that would be bad!


Oh but Remy, I could teach you so much.......:wink:

[bronaaaa]

I'm 15, atm I'd go out with anyone up to 18, or a 14 year old. When I'm older I'd prefer to be the younger one, by no more than about 5/6 years :hugesmile:

[Annie]

OMG! This is kinda on topic but my dad used to work in Norway and had a house over there.
And I was stressed out in the UK and took a month off work and flew over to live with him for a while and get away etc.
And I went out with my dad and I was 18, he would have been 51. And in this pub, everyone was soooo rude, and just looking at us because they all thought that I was his little hooker! Like I wasnt dressed like a hooker or that. And then the barstaff refused to sell anything to us because they thought my dad was a sicko. It was actually so horrible being judged in another country. Because I go out with my dad all the time here and people like know that its my dad if you know what I mean, its not like we hold hands or look like a couple but the people in Norway just made me feel VERY strange about being with my father.
I later found out that its because its extremely rare for daughters to be seen with their fathers in bars etc.

[*mazedsalv**]

At my age (16) dating a girl who was 2/3 years younger than me would be WRONG because they would be 13/14 and that just wouldnt look good. But when you get older age gaps dont matter.

Come to think of it, my friends friend who is 17 now, last year has sex with his teacher who was 31 in the office. Now i didnt if it was true, but his Mum said it was and he got suspended... and she got sacked.

[lily.]

bl00dy hell Salv.. she shoulda got prison for that ... abuse of trust..

Annie, I didn't know that about Norway's culture.. I've learned something today.. I feel all edge-joo-cated now..

[30stone]

When i turn 18.
Id not touch someone under 16.

It would worry me.


When im older i want to be 56 with a 27 year old.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : 30stone
When i turn 18.
Id not touch someone under 16.

It would worry me.

That's exactly what I said when I turned 18. I couldn't do it with a girl who is my sister's age. That frightened me.

[lily.]

Originally posted by 30stone
When i turn 18.
Id not touch someone under 16.

It would worry me.


When im older i want to be 56 with a 27 year old.


*does some maths*..




Awwww shittttt..

[*mazedsalv**]

Originally posted by lili
bl00dy hell Salv.. she shoulda got prison for that ... abuse of trust..

Annie, I didn't know that about Norway's culture.. I've learned something today.. I feel all edge-joo-cated now..

I guess she didnt because he was 16, if he was a few months younger she would have. But from my friends telling me, it was him that made the first move. not sure if that maes it any better lol

[30stone]

Yes 15 year old.
You think i could go jail for this... lol how worrying.


And aww linda im sure i can change the age difference.

[Arneldo]

I'm 18. I dont think I could be with anyone aged 20+, or aged 16 and under. Just because all my older sisters are 20+ and my younger siblings are 16 and under.

[pinkmichk]

i wouldnt go no younger than 18 older i'm not sure when i was 19 i dated a 34 year old now perhaps no older than 40 ish

[Wildcat!]

MAn whats wrong with your friend Salv! If I got it on with a 30 year old at 15, no one would ever find out! I would ride that gravy train forever!

[*mazedsalv**]

Originally posted by ***********
Originally posted by *mazedsalv**
Originally posted by lili
bl00dy hell Salv.. she shoulda got prison for that ... abuse of trust..

Annie, I didn't know that about Norway's culture.. I've learned something today.. I feel all edge-joo-cated now..

I guess she didnt because he was 16, if he was a few months younger she would have. But from my friends telling me, it was him that made the first move. not sure if that maes it any better lol

What did the teacher teach? If it was sex ed,,, he wudve had the greatest time of his life

Business Studies teacher lol

[lily.]

Originally posted by Aint_mad_atcha
MAn whats wrong with your friend Salv! If I got it on with a 30 year old at 15, no one would ever find out! I would ride that gravy train forever!


See,,. this^^^ I seriously do not get..

This is what my male friends say too.. and I just don't get that at all...


edit to add: Salv, him making the first move really doesn't make it any better.. she had a position of responsibility.. And, man, what is wrong with her... I would never have even considered shagging a teenager when I was 30.. There's something pretty effed up about that.

[Princess]

As long as it's legal it doesn't matter. You can't help who you fall for,even it is seem weird sometimes. Love is love.

[Wildcat!]

Originally posted by lili
Originally posted by Aint_mad_atcha
MAn whats wrong with your friend Salv! If I got it on with a 30 year old at 15, no one would ever find out! I would ride that gravy train forever!


See,,. this^^^ I seriously do not get..

This is what my male friends say too.. and I just don't get that at all...

Whatcha dont get? at 15, you get a 30 some year old? OMG! That was the dream. LOL!:laugh:
But see they get caught because they always have to brag about it!

[lily.]

I guess, I don't get it cuz I'm female, and at 15, I wouldn't have looked twice at a 30 yr old guy.. but it's different obviously.. men are *****s.. fact.


Nah, seriously.. apparently men are at their prime at age 19, and women aren't in their prime til they hit their 30s, so that's the perfect sexual match.. So I have read..

[*mazedsalv**]

Originally posted by lili
I guess, I don't get it cuz I'm female, and at 15, I wouldn't have looked twice at a 30 yr old guy.. but it's different obviously.. men are *****s.. fact.


Nah, seriously.. apparently men are at their prime at age 19, and women aren't in their prime til they hit their 30s, so that's the perfect sexual match.. So I have read..

For a school kid being with a older woman especially a teacher is a dream for most teens. But i agree that girls would ever think a 30 year old guy were fit when they are 15 year olds.

Even if the teacher was 40 years old and "ugly" a 15 year old boy would just brag about it because having sex with a teacher is just different, it makes them think they are more of a man because regardless of what age a teacher was, if you say "Yeahh i shagged a teacher" all other guys would say "Your a legend".

Do you get me??

[lily.]

I do yeah. I get it.. I just don't feel it.. cuz I'm female lol..

It's an achievement to have notched one up with an older, experienced woman.

It's the whole Mrs Robinson, Stifler's Mom thing..

[Spike]

I don't think a relationship should be formed because of the age but because of a connection between the two people
I would prefer someone my around my age but boundaries can change if you meet the right person

[lily.]

I think the internet is responsible for a lot of relationships with big age gaps, cuz when you are online, you connect with people of all ages.

I have lots of 'friends' online, and some of them are in an age group I wouldn't connect with in my real life.

[Legend]

My ex of 8 months was 30, we got together when I was 17 ... never thought I'd ever get with someone so much older than myself but it happened because we fell in love .. it's life and it happens. It was frowned upon by some people but they were soon told straight. However, the majority of people, well the people who mattered bar a couple, they really didn't care, probably because they were living in the 21st century ...

[lily.]

o/t - we were just talkin bout you Ant.. in the Meet The Members thread.

[Legend]

Nice things I hope, I'll go and see. :whistle:

[Z]

Mark; I love the rule you posted, nice one!

Two years either way for me; I don't really know how much in common you could realistically have with someone older/younger than that?

[Tom4784]

I'm 19, couldn't be with anyone younger then 18 (Perhaps 17 at a push). I don't mind older women at all i'd be cofortable going out with someone like 10 older if we clicked. But then again if I liked the person I'd probably try and get with them regardless of how much older they are.

[arista]

Originally posted by Dezzy
I'm 19, couldn't be with anyone younger then 18 (Perhaps 17 at a push). I don't mind older women at all i'd be cofortable going out with someone like 10 older if we clicked. But then again if I liked the person I'd probably try and get with them regardless of how much older they are.


Yes a Older Woman is Ideal for you.

[Tom]

Originally posted by lili
I do yeah. I get it.. I just don't feel it.. cuz I'm female lol..

It's an achievement to have notched one up with an older, experienced woman.

It's the whole Mrs Robinson, Stifler's Mom thing..

LOL my friend (19) 'did' a 38 year old abroad ... he got ribbed like hell. He couldn't believe it when he sobered up :joker:

Anyway for me I'd never go out with anyone over a year younger and 5 years older ... current gf and ex both 3 years older which for me is just about right. I think its just odd for anything older, though have nothing against it in the slightest and as long as its legal then I don't see a problem ...

[hannah.]

im ok with older guys as long as they dont go on about it or clearly think im not mature enough for them

[arista]

Originally posted by hannah.
im ok with older guys as long as they dont go on about it or clearly think im not mature enough for them



You Sound Mature Enough
and Fun at times.

[hannah.]

hahahaha thank you arista

[\PJ/]

I know a women who is a desprate old slag and she goes to places young men hang around it repulses me she once went out with an 18 year old for a year and she is 40,and she had him on a dog lead for most of there relationship thats why he fled.

[Sam!]

I think it depends on the gap and how much the couple love each other.

[Sam!]

Originally posted by PJ
I know a women who is a desprate old slag and she goes to places young men hang around it repulses me she once went out with an 18 year old for a year and she is 40,and she had him on a dog lead for most of there relationship thats why he fled.

Delicious!

[Princess]

I don't think should say 'Oh I would never go out with this many years younger or older' Your soulmate could be like 10 years older than you and you don't date them because of age would be stupid. Age is but a number,you can't help who you fall for etc etc

[Hugo]

It depends on age, like a 15 and a 25 year old wouldn't be acceptable, but a 25 and a 35 year old would be quite normal.

[Tom4784]

Originally posted by arista
Originally posted by Dezzy
I'm 19, couldn't be with anyone younger then 18 (Perhaps 17 at a push). I don't mind older women at all i'd be cofortable going out with someone like 10 older if we clicked. But then again if I liked the person I'd probably try and get with them regardless of how much older they are.


Yes a Older Woman is Ideal for you.

Thanks Cilla.

[Jessica.]

apparently men are at their prime at age 19

:joker:

[Ninastar]

I couldn't go out with someone younger than me. Possibly not even the same age as me. They have to be older, or really mature. I hate most people my age... especially younger people.

My limit is probably 27/28. unless they looked really young

[Jessica.]

I couldn't go out with someone younger than me. Possibly not even the same age as me. They have to be older, or really mature. I hate most people my age... especially younger people.

I agree with you completely, I could never imagine myself with someone younger than me or the same age, it just wouldn't feel right, I would only want someone who is mature and also, you can tell a lot about a person by how they spent their teens and 20's. :joker:

My boyfriend is seven years older than me and his age doesn't bother me in the slightest, he is on the same maturity level as me and that is what matters the most.

[Ninastar]

I agree with you completely, I could never imagine myself with someone younger than me or the same age, it just wouldn't feel right, I would only want someone who is mature and also, you can tell a lot about a person by how they spent their teens and 20's. :joker:

My boyfriend is seven years older than me and his age doesn't bother me in the slightest, he is on the same maturity level as me and that is what matters the most.

Aww that's cute

Yeah I agree about being able to tell what a person is like from their teenage years. I just hate the idea of dating someone who goes out every weekend and drinks all the time and that's what 90% of the people my age are like here

[Nemo123]

I guess, I don't get it cuz I'm female, and at 15, I wouldn't have looked twice at a 30 yr old guy.. but it's different obviously.. men are *****s.. fact.


Nah, seriously.. apparently men are at their prime at age 19, and women aren't in their prime til they hit their 30s, so that's the perfect sexual match.. So I have read..

Nah, I think you're mixing up prime with horniness. Women have greater sexual appetites, apparently, in their thirties than in their teens or twenties.

[Nemo123]

As far as I'm concerned, if a woman is lovely and well preserved, then her age doesn't matter. I've noticed black women wear their age much better than white women, or as someone once said to me, "Black don't crack".

[Roy Mars III]

women discontinue being sexually attractive at 35

[Natalie.]

I couldn't go out with anyone younger, maybe when I'm older :laugh:
I would go out with someone my age, depends really but I prefer a man a bit older than me

[Nemo123]

women discontinue being sexually attractive at 35

That's BS!

It's just too much of a generalisation.

[Me. I Am Salman]

women discontinue being sexually attractive at 35

Mariah Carey, J-Lo, Eva Longoria, NICOLE SCHERZINGER

[Nemo123]

Mariah Carey, J-Lo, Eva Longoria, NICOLE SCHERZINGER

http://www.whitegadget.com/attachments/pc-wallpapers/89541d1323843810-marisa-tomei-marisa-tomei-pic.jpg

Marisa Tomei

49!!

[Nemo123]

What's happened to disagreement here?

[Roy Mars III]

Mariah Carey, J-Lo, Eva Longoria, NICOLE SCHERZINGER

only Eva Longoria is attractive of those four

[Z]

Mariah Carey, J-Lo, Eva Longoria, NICOLE KEA

fixed

[Me. I Am Salman]

:laugh2:

[lily.]

Christ, this is a stoory thread from 2009...

[Jessica.]

Christ, this is a stoory thread from 2009...

What is a stoory?

[lily.]

stoory = dusty

I meant it like it had been in a dusty corner for 4 and a half years, and someone resurrected it. :)

[Z]

A Jessica special

[Livia]

Following on from the indecent proposal (lol)...

What age gap do you personally think you'd be comfortable with in a relationship?

This debate isn't about what you think is right for other people, but what you think is right for yourself.

I'd say 5 years either way would be ok for me, but I doubt I'd go beyond that.

Missed that... I miss all the good stuff.

I'd say 5 years is pretty reasonable. But I have dated someone younger than me, and someone quite a bit older... It all depends how old the other person is mentally and how good a nick they're in.

[Jessica.]

A Jessica special

Are you saying I'm dusty? :bawling:

[lily.]

Liv...

http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31705


Feel free to bump it if you can be bothered to read through 4 pages of mostly me, Girth and Baz lol

[Nemo123]

A few years ago I was in what can only be described as a slap-shod brothel in Lagos in the western Algarve in Portugal. Anyhow, over the course of 2 nights I spent hours in the company of one girl. She was a bit dippy, maybe on drugs, who knows? I was offered a gorgeous 19 year old, as I sat in her company, but she was so nice and I wasn't going to jump ships after I had spent so much emotional time, note: not money, because it would not have made any difference to my bill. Anyway, in the context of this discussion, she was nearly twice the age of her flatmate, as it happened. And they were equally lovely. Note, equally gorgeous, 19 and 35.
So, although I was tempted, I didn't jump ship, and I'm glad I didn't.

[james130]

I'd go 5 years either way and that's about it.
Only once i'm 23 aswell.
Couldn't go for anyone under 18.
Would just seem so wrong!

[smeagol]

age does not matter and should not matter. people are far to obsessed with age.
what matters is the person. the personality the way they look and act.
its sad when you see people put restrictions on the people they will date whether its age race or circumstance. as they are blinding themselves closing them selves of to possible love or good times.

whats interesting is those that do would date a older famous person or younger in a heartbeat. how many would turn beckam down lol or demi moore ?

[Jords]

age gaps = differing interests = in the end will NOT work

Also it is not nice to think your partner will die and youll still be a middle-aged wo/man seeking another life partner.

Shouldnt be no more than 10 years ideally.

[smudgie]

women discontinue being sexually attractive at 35

:joker::joker::joker:
Try telling my hubby that:spin:

[lily.]

:joker::joker::joker:
Try telling my hubby that:spin:

And mine. lol

[Z]

age gaps = differing interests = in the end will NOT work

Also it is not nice to think your partner will die and youll still be a middle-aged wo/man seeking another life partner.

Shouldnt be no more than 10 years ideally.

Yeah I think that's the thing that bothers me the most - even if the relationship lasted despite the likelihood that you'll want different things from life at different times if there's a large age gap; the chances are, one of you is going to die and the other one is still going to have many years of life left and they're either going to spend the rest of their life alone or try to find someone new... maybe it's a bit old fashioned but I think most people want to end up with someone, spend their lives together and then, although nobody wants to die, ideally you're not going to lose your partner and be alone for long, you know? It's a bit grim but I suppose most people would rather die with the one they love than be the one left behind to pick up the pieces and grieve...

[thesheriff443]

for men every five beers takes ten years off a women's age:joker:

[AnnieK]

Yeah I think that's the thing that bothers me the most - even if the relationship lasted despite the likelihood that you'll want different things from life at different times if there's a large age gap; the chances are, one of you is going to die and the other one is still going to have many years of life left and they're either going to spend the rest of their life alone or try to find someone new... maybe it's a bit old fashioned but I think most people want to end up with someone, spend their lives together and then, although nobody wants to die, ideally you're not going to lose your partner and be alone for long, you know? It's a bit grim but I suppose most people would rather die with the one they love than be the one left behind to pick up the pieces and grieve...

I can't agree...you could lose your partner at any age, so that doesn't really stack up. You can't choose who you fall in love with based on their life expectancy. I was with a guy a lot older than me and he was by far the kid in the relationship...he is the eternal Peter Pan...he is now blissfully married o someone 19 years his junior

[Z]

I can't agree...you could lose your partner at any age, so that doesn't really stack up. You can't choose who you fall in love with based on their life expectancy. I was with a guy a lot older than me and he was by far the kid in the relationship...he is the eternal Peter Pan...he is now blissfully married o someone 19 years his junior

Oh I know, you can't plan for the unexpected - that's life; but for me personally I just couldn't knowingly commit to someone who was, I dunno, 15 years+ my senior, knowing that if we both lived healthy, normal lives; they would likely die long before I did. It would be so difficult to just... start again, meet someone new, when you're at that age, and I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life alone and mourning forever.

[lily.]

My dad is 10 years older than my mum, and we lost her this year.

The weird thing about it is that I always expected to lose dad first. It just shows that you can't really predict these things.

As long as both people are adults, if they love each other, they should be together. You never know how long you have, and you only have one life to live.

[AnnieK]

My dad is 10 years older than my mum, and we lost her this year.

The weird thing about it is that I always expected to lose dad first. It just shows that you can't really predict these things.

As long as both people are adults, if they love each other, they should be together. You never know how long you have, and you only have one life to live.

I'm sorry to hear that :hug:

I agree, age is but a number, happiness is priceless...

[lily.]

Thanks Annie. It's been a difficult year. Dad is having to adjust to life without her.. it's so sad.

[AnnieK]

That must be so tough....my dad would be completely lost without my mum...I must be awful or you too, grieving but worrying about your dad too...

[Z]

Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall is an example. Jury's out on whether they actually loved each other but he died in 1995, aged 90, when she was 28 years old. I mean I just couldn't do that. His wife of 30 years died in 1991 and then he was old and lonely so he married this young girl 14 months before he died. That man is the perfect example of my hang ups - you marry someone you love but they die, you're alone, you try find someone new but you're so old it's just not likely that you're going to find someone who could ever match what you had with the person you wanted to spend your life with so you end up dating someone much younger than you... ah I dunno. Obviously that's an extreme example but yeah, I'd rather date someone in my age range (now that I'm 22, I'd go 20-25 maybe)...

[Ammi]

Oh I know, you can't plan for the unexpected - that's life; but for me personally I just couldn't knowingly commit to someone who was, I dunno, 15 years+ my senior, knowing that if we both lived healthy, normal lives; they would likely die long before I did. It would be so difficult to just... start again, meet someone new, when you're at that age, and I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life alone and mourning forever.

Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall is an example. Jury's out on whether they actually loved each other but he died in 1995, aged 90, when she was 28 years old. I mean I just couldn't do that. His wife of 30 years died in 1991 and then he was old and lonely so he married this young girl 14 months before he died. That man is the perfect example of my hang ups - you marry someone you love but they die, you're alone, you try find someone new but you're so old it's just not likely that you're going to find someone who could ever match what you had with the person you wanted to spend your life with so you end up dating someone much younger than you... ah I dunno. Obviously that's an extreme example but yeah, I'd rather date someone in my age range (now that I'm 22, I'd go 20-25 maybe)...

..yeah, like you said, I think Anna Nicole Smith and J Howard Marshall is an extreme example though...and I guess like anything else, it's just a personal preference and no different from..do you prefer blonde/brunette...tall people/shorter people etc..I can't think of any examples lol...some people are naturally attracted to older people or younger people..same age people etc as a general thing but then, they may meet someone who doesn't fit into that and it could be an attraction much stronger than anything else they have felt and the person they want to be with...and I guess for them to not pursue that wouldn't make sense in that they wouldn't think...oh, I usually like blondes and you're not blonde, so go away...it's interesting what you said though, that you wouldn't want to spend the rest of your life mourning someone, if you were left without them...but if you met someone and they were much older and you denied/walked away from that because of their age..(if they were much older..)..would you not then be spending your life mourning them because you'd denied someone who could have made you happy..?..but I guess the difference would be that you would have also denied being left with beautiful memories of them as well, which in the end is all any of us have and something that I just would never ever want to be without....

[joeysteele]

I don't take age into consideration in any walk of life. If I like people I like them in my life no matter what age they are.

As for perhaps committing to someone much older,say in marriage whatever, if it happens it happens, age wouldn't matter as to being with someone for me at all.

[Z]

..yeah, like you said, I think Anna Nicole Smith and J Howard Marshall is an extreme example though...and I guess like anything else, it's just a personal preference and no different from..do you prefer blonde/brunette...tall people/shorter people etc..I can't think of any examples lol...some people are naturally attracted to older people or younger people..same age people etc as a general thing but then, they may meet someone who doesn't fit into that and it could be an attraction much stronger than anything else they have felt and the person they want to be with...and I guess for them to not pursue that wouldn't make sense in that they wouldn't think...oh, I usually like blondes and you're not blonde, so go away...it's interesting what you said though, that you wouldn't want to spend the rest of your life mourning someone, if you were left without them...but if you met someone and they were much older and you denied/walked away from that because of their age..(if they were much older..)..would you not then be spending your life mourning them because you'd denied someone who could have made you happy..?..but I guess the difference would be that you would have also denied being left with beautiful memories of them as well, which in the end is all any of us have and something that I just would never ever want to be without....

I'm quite pragmatic when it comes to dating though, like I could have dated someone when I lived in Germany who was interested but I said no because I knew that it would have to end when I moved back home again so I didn't get into it in the first place. I wouldn't mourn something I never had in the first place - if I really liked someone but I felt that, practically, it wouldn't work... I would always walk away from that situation. I wouldn't ever want to throw myself into a situation that I know would only end in heartbreak for me.