You're never too old to date and love does not know a number. But a lot of older Americans struggle to find love and romance, most often using age as an excuse. The truth is that over 50 dating is actually a large part of the dating marketplace - with a number of dating sites targeting this specific demographic.
So what do guys want when dating? Lucky for you, I am a guy who has dated plenty before finding love. Here are some rules of thumb to go by.
Tip #1 - Want him for the person he is.
Men want to be wanted for who they are. They don't want to be changed. And when you are over 50, you are basically who you are. Expect men to be men, and find one that really does it for you. Don't place unrealistic expectations on men, and don't mistakenly think you can change or mold them into who you think they ought to be.
Tip #2 - Remind them of their masculinity.
Men want to feel like men. They don't want to compete for some alpha-like status. This does not mean that they want to feel like they are superior to you. But it does mean that you need to approach being independent differently. Remind them of their masculinity and let them know how much you miss having that in your life. Men love a woman who admits she misses having a good man around.
Tip #3 - Let them woo you with their actions.
What type of actions can men show you that really drive home this tip? How about a simple bouquet of flowers? Or maybe a few honey-dos scratched off your list. A home cooked dinner with candles also does the trick. Intrigue the man so that he will in return try to intrigue your interest with his actions.
Tip #4 - Let them give to you.
Men want to show you that they care about you, and want to protect you and make life easier. This involves simple manners like pulling your chair out, opening the door for you, listening to you gripe about your bad day. The only thing you need do in return is let them know that you appreciate such candor.
Tip #5 - Lift a good man up.
Remind a good man that he's valuable to you. Don't focus on every error that you can find in him. Instead, highlight the good things that he does; the small things that really matter when they all add up. Men don't want to feel emasculated. When you remind them of their good qualities, it makes them want to demonstrate them more often.
Tip #6 - Don't be over demanding.
Be honest to yourself and who you are, but don't come off sounding like a spoiled diva. Some women make it apparent in their dating profiles that they expect a certain salary, certain treatment and usually accompany this by a long list of demands. Instead, write about who you are and what a good man does to make you happy. Talk about your strengths. Men don't want to feel like they are getting the third-degree before they even meet you. They just want to find a woman that they can love.
Tip #7 - Men are not houses; don't try to remodel them.
This is a simple tip. Men are who they are. Accept us as that or move along. You won't teach an old dog new tricks.
Tip #8 - Men are actually fairly insecure.
Men are more insecure than women are. Most are actually shy. We fear failure and rejection. In fact, we're five times less likely to ask you out as a result. So do us a favor, drop us a line once in a while and see where the conversation takes you. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised.