So is it only me, or is age just a number? Lately when I've talked to people about dating I think I'm getting the subliminally raised eyebrows (i.e. they don't actually raise their eyebrows but they are surprised) about my acceptable age range. I think 10 years higher or lower is acceptable, and for the right person (who I obviously haven't met yet), I'd consider older (though probably not much lower).
I don't think that as long as you make each other happy, have things in common, communicate well, etc. that age makes that much difference. Is this wishful thinking? I do find differences in what people remember, what music people like, etc. since most people in my crowd of friends are about 10 years or so younger than me. And the fact that they're younger may mean that they are in slightly different places in their lives. But I guess I don't see it as problematic, it just gives us differences to talk about.
I seem to get the surprise about age in both directions. In talking to a friend I mentioned that a guy in his mid 40s could be interesting - he might be more cultured, have different interests he could introduce me to, might be a bit more financially secure, etc. (Just look at Viggo Mortensen... mmmm.... Yeah, like I'm going to date him!) But I don't think dating a guy in his mid 20s is a deal breaker either - less money is no biggie as long he's ok with it, we could learn stuff together and he's going to have different interests than me anyway.
Why are people hung up on age differences? Why all the ink on Demi/Ashton? Is it just that it's more socially acceptable for the age difference to be that the man is older, rather than the other way around? (No one makes a big deal about Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, right? Well... ok... a small deal.) I think that early in our lives it might make a difference - the maturity difference in your teens between men and women is large enough for it to possibly be a deal breaker in a relationship. But does it really matter much once we get past 25 so long as other things work in the relationship?
It should be noted that I'm not into extremely older or younger guys. I have a friend who's always had a thing for guys closer to her father's age than her age. That's not what I'm talking about - just 10 years (ish) here folks. Whaddya all think? What arguments am I missing here? (I'm sure I'm missing something important.)
Posted by cshell at April 7, 2004 02:50 PMI've been having the same thoughts. I say you'll never know until you try it. Go for a really old guy and a really young guy. Then you'll know what you want.
Posted by: f at April 7, 2004 03:58 PM