ATTN: NIGEL.

[Luna]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

[AFK]

That age difference, however, can rear its head again in the elder years.  Which is something I'm experiencing first hand with my in-laws.  My mother-in-law is in her late 50s my step-father-in-law is 75.  She still has some spring in her step and would like to go out and do stuff.  Step-father-in-law is feeling his age and wants to stay home and watch golf and NCIS re-runs. 

[Luna]

That age difference, however, can rear its head again in the elder years.  Which is something I'm experiencing first hand with my in-laws.  My mother-in-law is in her late 50s my step-father-in-law is 75.  She still has some spring in her step and would like to go out and do stuff.  Step-father-in-law is feeling his age and wants to stay home and watch golf and NCIS re-runs. 

That can happen at any age, really...  Hell, that was one of the problems with MY marriage, I wanted to DO things, HE wanted to sit at home... and managed to sap my will to go do anything on my own. 

Be aware of it, sure...  But really, it shouldn't control who you choose to associate with.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'ma be 25 next year.  I don't seem to have much problem visualizting problems with decision making, maybe.

I didn't make up biology, man. Don't blame me. Just look forward to things getting even better before they start to get worse.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

Nonsense. Age is not just a number. Actual things happen to our physical bodies as we age, and the length of time that we have spent cognitive affects many aspects of our lives. It doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but we aren't the same physically or rationally at 40 as we were at 20. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

[Luna]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

Nonsense. Age is not just a number. Actual things happen to our physical bodies as we age, and the length of time that we have spent cognitive affects many aspects of our lives. It doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but we aren't the same physically or rationally at 40 as we were at 20. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

Of course we're not.  However, where I was at 20 may be where YOU were at, say, 15, or at 25, or at 30...  We don't all change at the same rate, and dismissing a potential partner because they're "X" years younger, or older, is downright silly.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

Nonsense. Age is not just a number. Actual things happen to our physical bodies as we age, and the length of time that we have spent cognitive affects many aspects of our lives. It doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but we aren't the same physically or rationally at 40 as we were at 20. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

Of course we're not.  However, where I was at 20 may be where YOU were at, say, 15, or at 25, or at 30...  We don't all change at the same rate, and dismissing a potential partner because they're "X" years younger, or older, is downright silly.

I disagree. There is no way in hell I'd date someone 20 years younger than me, for a huge array of reasons, and I don't need to stop and consider any other factors besides age for that to be a completely rational dismissal.

[Luna]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

Nonsense. Age is not just a number. Actual things happen to our physical bodies as we age, and the length of time that we have spent cognitive affects many aspects of our lives. It doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but we aren't the same physically or rationally at 40 as we were at 20. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

Of course we're not.  However, where I was at 20 may be where YOU were at, say, 15, or at 25, or at 30...  We don't all change at the same rate, and dismissing a potential partner because they're "X" years younger, or older, is downright silly.

I disagree. There is no way in hell I'd date someone 20 years younger than me, for a huge array of reasons, and I don't need to stop and consider any other factors besides age for that to be a completely rational dismissal.

I'd think about it... but then, most of the guys I've met 20 years younger would be rejected for other reasons, mostly, "dear god, have him call me when his brains grow in." 

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

Meh, age is a number, that's all.

Though I have, on occasion, wanted to smack people when they make me think about what that particular number IS...

Nonsense. Age is not just a number. Actual things happen to our physical bodies as we age, and the length of time that we have spent cognitive affects many aspects of our lives. It doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but we aren't the same physically or rationally at 40 as we were at 20. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

Of course we're not.  However, where I was at 20 may be where YOU were at, say, 15, or at 25, or at 30...  We don't all change at the same rate, and dismissing a potential partner because they're "X" years younger, or older, is downright silly.

I disagree. There is no way in hell I'd date someone 20 years younger than me, for a huge array of reasons, and I don't need to stop and consider any other factors besides age for that to be a completely rational dismissal.

I wouldn't date a guy 20 years younger.  Use and abuse most definately, but actually date... what would we have in common?  45 seconds of conversation?  No thanks.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I have kind of a... thing... about wanting a partner who has a roughly similar level of intelligence and life experience. I don't think that even a very extraordinary 19-year-old would have any chance of being in that ball park. I was an extraordinarily experienced and mature 19-year-old once... and I was still 19, and could have done with a few more years of dating other 19-year-olds for my own growth benefit, rather than what I did, which is marry a man ten years my senior. I would feel irresponsible to willfully engage in a relationship with someone that young... they deserve a chance to be 19.

In ten years, I might consider dating a 29-year-old... but right now that 20-year age difference would be trouble, and it would be unfair.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

My 42-year-old boyfriend with a psychology degree has a hard time defending himself from me... I think I would probably do irreparable damage to a much younger man's psyche, without even trying. Probably without even knowing.

To me, a 19-year-old is for parenting, not for a mature sexual relationship between people of equal power.

[Freeky]

I've done an almost-20 year age difference thing.  It's not so bad, if you have a lot of common hobbies. It's fun to tease with the age difference thing, though.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

I've done an almost-20 year age difference thing.  It's not so bad, if you have a lot of common hobbies. It's fun to tease with the age difference thing, though.

Granted, there is no better to flirt with than someone drastically younger/older..... 

[Luna]

Eh, we'd have something in common...  I don't date outside the SCA any more.  (I might be tempted to make an exception, but he'd have to be at least willing to try hitting events.  Last time I dated outside the society was a fucking nightmare.)

Intelligence is important (see above re: "dear god, have him call me when his brains grow in"), but that doesn't always come with age.  Maturity is important... again, that comes with time, but how much comes how fast?  It's different for different people.  

I don't think I've ever been attracted to anyone THAT much younger (other than, "oooh, pretty," I mean)... but, I can't say I'd shut someone out for the crime of being too young, either.

(I HAVE, for the record, dated someone nearly 20 years older...)

[Suu]

I keep telling you, I'm already married.

Either way, I'm a fan of the 5 year rule. No more than 5 years difference in either direction...though I don't think I want to date a guy younger than me EVER. I have enough of a hard time with guys my own age.