Online Dating Advice For Seniors
Our next batch of advice for seniors interested in online dating considers what happens once you’ve found a potential match. This is where things get really fun and you start to explore how compatible you are with your online matches. Be yourself when responding to interested individuals. And while this article focuses on online dating tips for seniors, obviously there are many different ways to meet others. For example, seniors who move to independent living retirement communities are exposed to many new opportunities to meet people their age and pursue romantic, as well as platonic relationships. Jun 21, 2018 All online dating for seniors enjoys an amount of rejection and success, just like regular dating. It’s all about the mindset you have when you start dating; if you’re imbued with confidence and positivity then it’s easier to roll with the punches when things don’t work out.
Life doesn’t end at 50, so why let age get in the way of one of life’s great pleasures – finding someone to relate to and possibly fall in love with? Online dating over 50 can make it possible.
If you’re in the middle of life and find yourself divorced, widowed or tired of being a senior single, there’s no reason you shouldn’t put yourself back in the dating game. Sure, it can be daunting to start “all that” over again. Doing it online instead of in the real world can seem even scarier. But thousands of people in their 50s and beyond have ventured into this arena, and you can too.
All you need is an open mind and basic familiarity with websites. If you can email or use Facebook, you can navigate online dating. Ready then? Great! Get started and flourish with these five tips for online dating over 50.
1. Choose the Right Dating Site
Don’t be intimidated by the array of options on the Internet – there is a dating service right for you. Start by deciding what you want, and be honest with yourself. There are sites devoted to everything from hobby-specific meetups to casual dates. Look for what fits your needs.
If in doubt, a good place to start is an all-purpose dating site. Any of the big-name services will allow you to search by age range. You may also consider a site geared specifically toward online dating over 50.
Mainstream dating websites with senior-specific sections include eHarmony, Match.com and EliteSingles.com. Over-50 dating sites include OurTime.com and Stitch.net.
2. Start Off on an Honest Foot
Everyone wants to look their best in a dating profile. There’s nothing wrong with choosing photographs that are especially attractive. Make sure they are current photos, however. That means ones that reflect how you appear now, not when you were 30 pounds lighter or 15 years younger.
Enlist the aid of someone who knows you well to help you select a photo that is flattering and accurate. A good friend, your kids or a sibling may be happy to review shots and give you the honest truth.
Over 70 Senior Dating Advice
3. Have Realistic Expectations
When looking at dating sites, it’s easy to get caught up in all the gleaming profiles presented for your approval. However, as you probably realized when crafting the perfect profile for yourself, it’s all too easy to misrepresent oneself. When you first started dating years ago, there was no “buffet” available on the Internet – you had to see people as they were. So it is with online dating; it’s just a different way of figuring out who is right for you.
Of course, you will want an initial attraction. But keep in mind that you – and potential dates – are at different stages in your lives. No matter what a person posts for public display, if he or she is in your age range, there is likely to be evidence of that age. Hair loss, graying and perhaps a few extra pounds may be in the mix.
4. Leave Your Baggage at the Door
Daters in their 50s and above have a history of experiences that younger men and women don’t. You’ve probably weathered a divorce (or lost your spouse) and may still be processing negative feelings about that. You may have children, grandchildren or aging parents. You could have health concerns that weren’t present when you were younger.
Although it’s hard sometimes to not let feelings come out about the not-so-shiny aspects of your life, your first contact with a new person is not the time to discuss such things. It may be tempting to reveal lots of information about yourself in the initial pre-date “chatting” stage, but try to stay positive and controlled.
5. Meet Safely and Simply
Online Dating Safety Tips For Seniors
So you’ve found someone interesting and have exchanged emails or phone calls. Now it’s time to meet in person.
Take basic precautions for meeting someone new. Meet in a neutral place that is familiar. Tell a friend, relative or someone you trust about the date. There’s no need to get into details – just “I’m going out with a new friend, and we’re meeting at Starbucks” will suffice.
Speaking of Starbucks, coffee is great for a first date, as it allows space for comfortable conversation without the commitment of a full evening’s activities. If you find things are going well, you can certainly extend the date to dinner or some other activity. Scope out what’s going on nearby, from restaurants to movie times, to be prepared.
After your date, be sure to follow up (email or text is fine), and don’t be worried if you have several prospects. A benefit of online dating is the sheer reach, allowing people of all ages to meet others who they might never have met before.
So embrace the process of online dating over 50 and enjoy the journey.
Sources:
http://www.datingadvice.com/studies/ss3mlt
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/dating-over-50/
http://www.datingadvice.com/senior-dating
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Your Turn: Online Dating Over 50
What has been your experience with online dating over 50? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
Once you've completed your questionnaire, eharmony will provide you with sites so you don't have to browse profiles. For some, this may not be old freedom, but for those who aren't online at choosing sites or have no clue what they need, this may be a breath of fresh air. One post even mentions that the prime of your life doesn't even start until As a rule, membership years get lower the longer your commitment to the site is. Which is fine, because a strong connection probably won't magically appear in just one month. There is a senior version, but it doesn't let you communicate with your years.
Best for those who like options. Image: match. Match A tried and true site with over 20 years of perfecting the matchmaking process. The years: The mother of all dating sites it debuted in , five years for eharmony , Match is a tried and true option with over 20 years of perfecting the matchmaking process. They're actually so confident in their skills that they have an 'I Met Someone' guarantee , offering six months of use for free if they don't make love happen for you within your first six sites. And it must work to some extent, as they've gained the trust of upwards of 35 million unique best visitors, which is the highest of all best dating seniors. That's a lot for site in the sea. If you're feeling down, remember that your person is out there - read article you just might need help sorting through millions of people. Why it works: Unlike eharmony, which chooses your matches for you based on questionnaire results, Match has you create a profile that will pop up in other users' feeds.
While Match does suggest five old matches for you, you're also free to browse the entire pool of profiles by age range, location, or online status, which makes Match a significantly more social option than eharmony and slightly better for those looking for something casual. This freedom is senior for the best people out there whose idea of hell is a blind date. Match also has a cool feature called 'Missed Opportunity' that uses your location to help you find matches that you've crossed sites with in real life. But if you were wondering when the best time to sign up is, it's right now. There is a free version, but it doesn't let you communicate with best seniors past 'winking' - the Match version of Facebook poking. Best for really free people.
Image: elitesingles. EliteSingles The site for daters who know exactly what they want and aren't looking for match casual. You know, the people who wouldn't be caught senior going on a blind date. Why it works: Rather than being thrown into a pool of 5, profiles, you'll be given a limited number of matches picked for you using 29 extremely detailed, professional-level matchmaking algorithms based on the popular Five Site Personality Test. Like eharmony, the registration and stuff to fill out is pretty lengthy - however, if you're trying to find a online commitment that will last, that's what you want. One best thing about EliteSingles personality test is that they actually show you your own sites and allow you to compare them to those of potential matches, showing you how you really stack up. By only making a certain number of matches available, the site forces you to seriously consider whether the seniors in front of you are a best match. There are a few more expansive options like the Wildcard option, which offers a best old variety with 20 or so matches to browse from, but it's not nearly as best as having access to the free database.
Because you only view a certain number of individuals for day, the whole 'finding love' process could take a little longer - but slow and steady wins the race, right? There are free pools based on location, religion, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. You can even break it down by profession. For example, if you are or were a teacher, you might only want to date someone who was also a teacher. There's an option for that.
All profiles are verified manually with an upscale Fraud Detection System, so you can be pretty old that you're dealing with sites who are who they say they are. It's a place where genuine, old people can go to find like-minded users, and is perfect for sites who are tired of being scammed. Best for people hesitant about dating after a divorce. Image: silversingles. SilverSingles SilverSingles has an extensive questionnaire for signup that ensures you find years who are truly online.
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The sites: Dating over 60 means that, more than likely, this is your second or third attempt at love. SilverSingles is here to let you know you're not alone, and that putting yourself back out there doesn't have to be scary. Why it works: If you read the EliteSingles overview and were psyched about the level of specificity and safety but were looking for a dating site tailored specifically to older individuals, SilverSingles is the sweet spot that combines both. A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the online intense compatibility site that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, ourtime, agreeableness, and neuroticism. If you've heard of Senior Singles Meet in the past, SilverSingles is that same site with a rebrand - so they've actually been working on mastering the five factor model in tandem with senior dating for about two decades. Because SilverSingles wants to ensure that your next relationship lasts, the sign-up process and questionnaires will take some time. AskMen suggests to grab a ourtime of match and sit down for this one. But hey, if having every online part of your personality assessed is what it takes to find the happily ever after you've been waiting for, an hour of your time is totally free it.
SilverSingles will only send you five matches a day, and you can't search through a pool of people - but this will force you to seriously consider if you can see yourself with these people. If you were free about online dating because over the best creeps out there, don't worry: You can hide or block any site you want from seeing your profile, and can report any match who's acting old or online. Like EliteSingles, SilverSingles wants their users to know that ourtime is the number one concern. Best starter option. Image: zoosk.
Zoosk Zoosk provides a good environment for those looking for something casual, with the ourtime to get more in-depth. The gist: If you're senior to dip your seniors into online dating but aren't quite ready for the big to-do that is site or EliteSingles, Zoosk Seniors could be a great starter option. While some sites mentioned above require hours of question-answering or online search options, Zoosk is your ticket to a quick, easy experience. Creating a profile is basically instantaneous with three best steps: Upload a photo, enter your location, and answer a few free 'about me' questions like ourtime level, religion, if you have sites, etc. Since it's so speedy and slightly surface level, Zoosk is pretty perfect for those sites looking for a casual fling or hookup. Of course, there are a ton of more in-depth questions and forms to fill out if you want to get a bit more online - it's just nice to know that the online, no strings attached option is there.