# Guys: how old a woman is too old ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 11, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385 "2011-08-11T22:31:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/244 "2019-01-04T21:26:34Z")
If she’s a zombie, she’s too old for me. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/245 "2019-01-06T03:52:36Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > [Gwen Stefani is seven years older than her husband.](https://www.google.com/search?q=blake+shelton+gwen+stefani&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS794US794&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=F9EOaS0OOZ4MKM%252CspfC3eS_WaTMUM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQCUam50SL5RKj2n7Rd_yW7hMmu1Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE_oCv_tTfAhUnneAKHcU9BqYQ_h0wInoECAQQBg&biw=1920&bih=938#imgrc=F9EOaS0OOZ4MKM:) > > [Lisa Loeb is eleven years older than her husband.](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS794US794&biw=1920&bih=938&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=5cQvXOLCL4Lj_AaCrbi4Aw&q=lisa+loeb+roey+hershkovitz&oq=lisa+loeb+roey&gs_l=img.3.0.0.109630.113397..115685...2.0..0.100.1292.13j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i67j0i8i30j0i24.2HlXmvUa3L4#imgrc=3VPt36qj8jppFM:) > > Yowza! **kaylasmom** is three years older than her husband. What? ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/246 "2019-01-06T04:16:55Z")
What’s so terrible about this thread? I don’t get the current trend on this message board that we can’t discuss people’s physical traits in any fashion. It’s all part of the human psyche, dynamic, and sexuality. Pretending it’s not appropriate doesn’t make it go away. People judge others based on their appearances, everyone does, get over yourselves! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/247 "2019-01-06T04:24:48Z")
> [@pool](#): > > What’s so terrible about this thread? I don’t get the current trend on this message board that we can’t discuss people’s physical traits in any fashion. It’s all part of the human psyche, dynamic, and sexuality. Pretending it’s not appropriate doesn’t make it go away. People judge others based on their appearances, everyone does, get over yourselves! It’s a complex topic, and probably deserves a more nuanced discussion than can be contained in the same thread with “yowza!” Appearance is a factor in relationships, especially at first, but drooling (and retching) about specific people is unpleasant to encounter pretty much at any time. This distinction seems hard for some people to understand, and that may be why the discussions in general get frowned upon. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/248 "2019-01-06T04:55:14Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > It’s a complex topic, and probably deserves a more nuanced discussion than can be contained in the same thread with “yowza!” Appearance is a factor in relationships, especially at first, but drooling (and retching) about specific people is unpleasant to encounter pretty much at any time. This distinction seems hard for some people to understand, and that may be why the discussions in general get frowned upon. Yeah but since I dodged it the first 23 times it came up ------------ I find as I age my opinion of “too old” has shrunk. In my 20s I could have easily seen myself in a relationship with a woman 30 years my senior. Now that I’m 60 lets call it more like 5-8 years. Looks never played into it for me but I got to be realistic about how much time I have left on this planet and could expect from a new partner. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/249 "2019-01-06T07:23:54Z")
> [@pool](#): > > What’s so terrible about this thread? I don’t get the current trend on this message board that we can’t discuss people’s physical traits in any fashion. It’s all part of the human psyche, dynamic, and sexuality. Pretending it’s not appropriate doesn’t make it go away. People judge others based on their appearances, everyone does, get over yourselves! It’s a long term effort at employing social pressure to dictate acceptable topics of discussion. But to answer the thread’s question? I honestly don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/250 "2019-01-06T07:30:27Z")
Mmm, Jeanne Calment, you naughty vixen. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/251 "2019-01-06T12:22:33Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Ok, somebody needs to make the obvious comment. Age may be just a number, but the use of purple comic sans is a dealbreaker. Honey, the use of purple anything. And if you give this old bitch a pink whatever you’re out before even getting in. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/252 "2019-01-06T13:00:19Z")
> [@Leonard](#): > > Having an age preference is not objectifying. If the age preference ran the gamut of all possible consenting adults, maybe. But that is not how it is. If you can’t understand how this whole thread partakes of objectifying, you are indeed part of the problem. The problem of objectifying, to be specific. This is yet another of the ten thousand misogynist threads on the Dope that I could not bear to read all the way through, so if I missed something profoundly compassionate, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/253 "2019-01-06T14:18:12Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > If you can’t understand how this whole thread partakes of objectifying, you are indeed part of the problem. The problem of objectifying, to be specific. > > This is yet another of the ten thousand misogynist threads on the Dope that I could not bear to read all the way through, so if I missed something profoundly compassionate, I apologize. The OP is female. Tell her what a misogynist you think she is. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/254 "2019-01-06T15:06:51Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The OP is female. Tell her what a misogynist you think she is. OP: I’m a woman who is potentially dating again after umpteen years of marriage and am curious for honest opinions about what I might be in for based on my age Various people: Here’s my opinion Other people: How dare this misogynistic thread exist ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/255 "2019-01-06T17:00:05Z")
I just turned 70 at have recently started dating a little bit after the passing of my long time girlfriend. The youngest I have dated is 42 and the oldest 72. As much as I hate to admit it I am having problems being sexually attracted much past 60. I don’t think I will start a relationship with anyone under 60. As far as good company goes age is no factor but it would be very awkward telling someone you just aren’t feeling a sexual attraction. They might very well be thinking the same thing about me. I am at a time in my life where I would place good company ahead of sex in importance but I just can’t imagine telling someone I have no sexual attraction to them. Something I will add, a couple of days ago I was helping a lady with her car. I am guessing she was in her late 40’s. When I got done she gave me a hug and then a light kiss on the lips. Suddenly she came back for a second more serious kiss. The lady really knew how to kiss and she suddenly went from a 3 to a strong 8. Physically I had no attraction to her until after the kiss which seemed to change her whole appearance. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/256 "2019-01-06T17:37:24Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > This needs to die again. Disgusting zombie thread. > [@Ulfreida](#): > > If the age preference ran the gamut of all possible consenting adults, maybe. But that is not how it is. > > If you can’t understand how this whole thread partakes of objectifying, you are indeed part of the problem. The problem of objectifying, to be specific. > > This is yet another of the ten thousand misogynist threads on the Dope that I could not bear to read all the way through, so if I missed something profoundly compassionate, I apologize. I’m also failing to see the misogyny in this thread aside from the stray comment here or there. Are you offended by dating or relationships with large age gaps? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/257 "2019-01-06T18:56:17Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I’m also failing to see the misogyny in this thread aside from the stray comment here or there. Are you offended by dating or relationships with large age gaps? Nope. But that would be a thread called “At what age point does the opposite sex become unattractive to you?” with people of both sexes weighing in. As it is, it is another “when does a woman’s expiration date occur?” thread. I don’t care who started it, it’s all about how women’s attractiveness is based entirely on her youthful appearance. You all may be interested in hashing it all over again. Knock yourselves out. Would you like to read a detailed discussion on how men become disgusting to women over time? No? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/258 "2019-01-06T19:06:29Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Nope. But that would be a thread called “At what age point does the opposite sex become unattractive to you?” with people of both sexes weighing in. > > As it is, it is another “when does a woman’s expiration date occur?” thread. I don’t care who started it, it’s all about how women’s attractiveness is based entirely on her youthful appearance. You all may be interested in hashing it all over again. Knock yourselves out. > > Would you like to read a detailed discussion on how men become disgusting to women over time? No? Ah. I totally missed that the OP was specifically about women being the older one of an opposite sex pairing. I skimmed the beginning and then read the last couple of pages. I humbly stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/259 "2019-01-06T19:40:49Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Would you like to read a detailed discussion on how men become disgusting to women over time? No? There are hundreds of topics that don’t interest me. You’ll know which ones because I don’t post in them. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/260 "2019-01-06T19:48:26Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I’m also failing to see the misogyny in this thread aside from the stray comment here or there. Are you offended by dating or relationships with large age gaps? Those stray comments add up til the back of the camel gives way. I don’t care who started the thread ( being is was a while ago by a poster who is banned). Things are changing on the board from what I can see. And thank goodness. IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/261 "2019-01-06T20:11:39Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > There are hundreds of topics that don’t interest me. You’ll know which ones because I don’t post in them. I agree with you, I was very uncomfortable posting in this thread. I wish I could take it back. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/262 "2019-01-06T20:13:03Z")
I’m 36 and want kids sometime, so I probably wouldn’t go out with someone who was post-menopausal. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/263 "2019-01-06T20:20:41Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > There are hundreds of topics that don’t interest me. You’ll know which ones because I don’t post in them. Yep. The context of this thread is perfectly appropriate. It may be that a few posters have been inappropriate, but you don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. It is reasonable for women of a certain age (of which I am one) to wonder if we are still found attractive. I really am not fond of MILF threads or posts - those are objectifying, but knowing that 50 year old men find 50 year old women attractive is rather heartwarming to my 52 year old self. And the way to find that out is to talk about it. When this thread comes up, its good for my self esteem as a woman - not negative. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385.md?page=14)