# Age differences, where do YOU draw the line? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 28, 2005, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377 "2005-10-28T22:28:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/41 "2005-10-31T19:42:56Z")
I’m 28, female, and wouldn’t be caught dead dating an 18 year old. (Incidentally, does anyone else think these read a little like singles ads? “I’m an SWF, 28, and like hiking and books…” Hee.) When I was in college and 21, one of my physics lab partners was a returning student studying engineering. He was funny, and cute, but when I found out he was 26-27ish (and had a girlfriend, too), any romantic interest ended there. I still valued him as a friend, but any thought of dating went out the window. At that point in life, it was too big a difference to me. At a later point in life, it probably wouldn’t matter so much. Sometimes, you’re just at two totally different places, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/42 "2005-10-31T19:56:51Z")
I don’t judge by age, but by maturity. Although more than 10 years probably would be hard. I wasn’t very mature at 18, but this board is evidence that many others are. I do caution though, that at age 18 and age 28 one’s goals and desires are often very different. It can be done, with a lot of understanding on both parts. I used to have a firm rule never to date any guy younger than me. \*That \* went out the window when I got with my current SO, who is younger than me, albeit only by a few months. So I decided not more than a year below. And then I met a whole bunch of guys that I’d be interested in, were it not for my current relationship, that were a few years younger. So I’d have to go with **Harimad-sol** (I knew there was a reason we got along). It depends. ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/43 "2005-10-31T20:12:50Z")
Alright **Epi** , how’s this for weird: I’m in a similar boat (27, tho). I’ve randomly picked 21 as the lower bound (mostly because I don’t want to worry about sneaking someone booze or drinking when they wouldn’t). BUT… I was a high school teacher for the past four years. Dating someone 21 y/o would be dating someone I could have _taught_. That’s not to say I wouldn’t, necessarily, it’s just another thing to make ya go hmmm :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/44 "2005-11-02T02:44:03Z")
:smack: …like… :smack: That should read: Dating someone 21 y/o would be **like** dating someone I could have _taught_. That’s just creepy without the like. I’ll go hide, now. :o ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/45 "2005-11-02T02:52:17Z")
> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#): > > I am 37, my wife (the lovely **nocturne** ) is 22…Age is, ultimately, irrelevant in terms of ability to have a good relationship. I have dated women substantially younger than I am (and I still pass for 25 easily enough) as well as older. I was also in a relationship with a guy some 30 years my senior. No big deal Wow! You really are a modern guy! ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/46 "2005-11-02T13:40:01Z")
Age is a number, as long as both parties are of age, I see no problem. [quote=r4nd0mNumb3rs Personally, when I see an older man dating someone my own age (I’m 20) I tend assume that that person can’t attract people their own age.[/quote] Okay, the smart ass answer for this is… “Why would I date a 40-something woman when I can get one that’s a hot 21?” The truthful answer is, why would I eliminate someone from my love life just because she’s young? ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377/47 "2005-11-03T04:03:27Z")
Truthful? It’s typically a matter of lust not love, and almost any man over 40 (discounting homosexuals of course) is attracted sexually more by a 21 year old than by a woman his own age. Then there are other considerations, such as the desire to display his prowess. Still a million miles away from “love”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-differences-where-do-you-draw-the-line/328377.md?page=2)