Dating after 50 means tossing out some old rulebooks that never made sense anyway. You’ve lived long enough to know what works and what doesn’t in relationships.
With age comes the wisdom to recognize which dating traditions are helpful and which are just plain silly.
Let’s look at some dating rules you can happily break now that you’ve reached the fabulous fifty milestone.
1. The Three-Day Calling Rule
Remember that agonizing wait after a great date? Forget it! At 50+, playing phone tag is about as fun as waiting for a doctor’s appointment.
Life’s too short for games—if you had a good time, say so! Send that text when you get home or call the next day. Your date will appreciate your honesty, and you’ll save yourself from staring at your phone like a teenager.
Maturity means being straightforward about your interest. Besides, at our age, we might forget we went on the date if we wait three days!
2. Hiding Your True Self
Spent decades trying to appear perfect on dates? Those days are over! Your quirks, opinions, and that slightly inappropriate laugh are exactly what make you interesting.
By 50, you’ve earned the right to be unapologetically yourself. The relief of not sucking in your stomach all evening or pretending to love football is absolutely liberating.
Dating success now means finding someone who appreciates the real you—dentures, reading glasses, strong political views and all. Truth is, hiding your authentic self just delays the inevitable discovery anyway.
3. Always Letting Men Pay
Ladies, you’ve been earning your own money for decades—why pretend it’s 1955 at dinner time? The awkward check dance is exhausting, especially when you’re perfectly capable of treating someone else.
Modern mature dating means equal financial footing. Sometimes you pay, sometimes they pay, sometimes you split it. What matters is feeling comfortable with the arrangement.
Many men actually appreciate not bearing the entire financial burden of dating. And honestly, there’s something empowering about saying, “This one’s on me” while confidently handing over your credit card.
4. Avoiding Talk About Past Relationships
The notion that discussing exes is taboo makes little sense after 50. You’ve accumulated decades of life experience—pretending those relationships didn’t exist is like trying to hide an elephant under a napkin.
By now, past marriages, long-term partners, and significant relationships have shaped who you are. Sharing these stories provides context and demonstrates growth.
A mature conversation about what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned shows emotional intelligence. Just maintain balance—a brief mention of your ex’s snoring habit is fine, a two-hour analysis of their character flaws is not!
5. No Intimacy Until X Number of Dates
Arbitrary timelines for physical intimacy belong in the recycling bin along with your cassette tapes. At 50+, you know your body, desires, and boundaries better than any dating rule book.
Some connections warrant taking things slow, while others have chemistry that’s too powerful to deny. Trust your instincts—they’ve been developing for half a century!
Physical compatibility matters in relationships, and you’re old enough to decide when the time is right without counting dates. Besides, who has time to waste? We’re not exactly spring chickens with endless dating seasons ahead of us.
6. Dating Only Age-Appropriate People
Who invented the “half your age plus seven” rule anyway? At 50+, compatibility trumps birth certificates every time. Maybe you connect with someone younger who appreciates your wisdom, or perhaps someone older shares your retirement dreams.
Dating someone who remembers the same TV shows is nice, but shared values and chemistry matter more than shared decades. Age-gap relationships can bring fresh perspectives and energy to your life.
The real question isn’t “Are they the right age?” but “Do they make me happy?” As long as everyone’s a consenting adult with realistic expectations, let your heart decide rather than your calculator.
7. Pretending to Be Tech-Clueless
Ladies, feigning technological incompetence to appear non-threatening went out with shoulder pads. Your smartphone skills aren’t emasculating—they’re essential life tools in 2023.
Men, asking for help with apps doesn’t diminish your manhood. We’re all navigating this digital world together, often with the same confusion! Authenticity about your tech abilities (or limitations) creates honest connections.
Nothing’s more refreshing than seeing someone confidently video-call their grandkids or troubleshoot their dating app without pretense. Besides, finding someone who can explain how TikTok works might be the most valuable relationship benefit of all!
8. Hiding Health Issues
That knee replacement? Your cholesterol medication? By 50, perfect health is rarely anyone’s reality, so why pretend? Concealing health conditions creates unnecessary anxiety on dates.
Most mature daters understand bodies come with maintenance requirements. Mentioning relevant health information when appropriate shows self-awareness and honesty. Nobody expects you to lead with “Hi, I’m Janet, I have arthritis,” but natural disclosure builds trust.
Finding someone who accepts your whole package—including your pharmacy rewards card—is the goal. After all, a partner who can’t handle your lactose intolerance probably can’t handle life’s bigger challenges either.
9. Always Being Available
Dropping everything whenever a potential partner calls? That desperate availability routine belongs in your younger days, along with all-nighters and unfortunate hairstyles.
Your life at 50+ is rich with commitments, hobbies, and relationships that deserve protection. Maintaining boundaries shows self-respect and actually increases your attractiveness.
Saying “I’d love to see you Tuesday, but Monday and Wednesday I have my painting class” isn’t playing hard-to-get—it’s having a life worth sharing. The right person will respect your established routines and find ways to complement your already full life, not demand you abandon it.
10. Avoiding Online Dating
“I’ll never find love on a computer” is the dating equivalent of refusing to use GPS. The dating landscape has changed—meeting organically at the grocery store happens about as often as finding a payphone these days.
Online dating isn’t desperate; it’s efficient! At our age, why waste years hoping to bump into someone special when you could be browsing compatible matches in your pajamas?
Dating sites for the 50+ crowd have exploded in popularity for good reason. They connect people with similar interests and relationship goals. Besides, there’s something wonderfully honest about everyone admitting upfront that they’re looking for connection.
