There are more single people in the world than ever before, that’s a fact. So, dating when you’re over 50 shouldn’t be tough, there’s a whole sea of interesting and available men but you’ve gotta make that first voyage onto the open waters. Let online dating be your emotionally secure boat as you wade through what’s on offer, making it easier, safer and ultimately more successful to find love.
1. Stop making excuses
You’re busy. It’s not the right time for it. You need to remodel the bathroom. There are always a million reasons not to do something; if you look for them, you’ll find them. The great thing about online dating is that it’s never been simpler and more accepted. According to the PEW research centre, around 50% of people know someone who uses online dating or have met their own spouse/partner through it. So stop making excuses, set up a profile, take a nice picture and start chatting. SilverSingles is one of the best websites for over 50s dating, specifically those who are looking for a long-lasting relationship – meet someone who has also stopped making excuses.
2. Think about what you want from online dating
Thinking about what you want before you start online dating is one of our top dating tips for women over 50. This is a self-preservation tactic, because jumping into a potential relationship without thinking about the future can be a messy business. Do you want something long-term? Can you only commit to seeing someone every now and then? Do you want this person to be special to you for a while before introducing them to the rest of your life? These answers will, unknowingly or not, influence how you write to people and how your profile appears. Make sure you’re confident in what you want before you go out and seek it and be upfront with your matches.
3. Be safe
Online dating is very safe nowadays which is why taking the search online is one of the top dating tips for women over 50. However, make sure the service you’ve signed up with is thorough with its security. At SilverSingles,e profiles on our website are manually vetted by our Customer Care team, so no one joins the site without their profile being checked beforehand. So you don’t have to worry about anything, except chatting with your matches. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our online safety guide.
4. Stay positive
One of the most attractive traits is a positive attitude. Even the grumpiest of people can’t fault someone with a sunny disposition! So when in doubt, just remember to stay positive. A quick message to remark on the excellent weather, a great sports result or a very cute dog you just saw is welcomed by everyone! This should also shine through on your profile because a bright profile is synonymous with being relaxed, fun and excited to try new things – all traits you should be trying out with online dating!
5. Respect your time and effort
Dating online means that you’ll be trying on a few hats at a time, chatting with some people, meeting others etc. Sometimes people won’t get back to you or chats will peter out, this shouldn’t upset you, it’s simply the nature of online dating. That said, SilverSingles uses a matchmaking algorithm that sends you matches of only highly compatible people so, unlike other fast-paced dating sites, it probably won’t happen as often with us. Remember to respect your time and the effort you’ve put into chatting. If someone is cancelling dates or not replying, simply tell them you’re looking for a long-lasting commitment and thank them for their time.
6. Dress to impress
Women over 50 have a whole slew of options when it comes to dressing up for a date. However, most of your first dates with be in coffee shops, pubs, museums, parks – so no need to dig out any of your gowns and jewels. Shopping does have a relaxing effect and even buying something small for a date is guaranteed to make you feel more confident. If you’re feeling brave, why not step outside of your comfort zone a tad and wear a bold lipstick or an item you’ve always wanted to buy. One of the best things about online dating is that the person you’re meeting will have no idea what you’re ‘typical’ style is, so it’s a great time to try something new and feel confident doing it.
7. Pick the perfect place
As previously mentioned, one of the most sought-after dating tips for women over 50 is ‘where do I go on the first date?’ A daytime date is the best way to take the nervous edge off any meet-up. Museums, coffee shops, parks, zoos, cinemas etc. All these date venues are jam-packed with conversation starters so you don’t have to worry about any potential awkward pauses.
8. Ask and listen, listen, listen
It’s not fair to lump over 50s men into two categories but we’re going to anyway. You tend to have over 50s men who are very chatty and others that could be mistaken for a statue because of how little they talk. Most of the time this is down to the first date jitters; it can take some people a lot longer to relax so just be patient. A great tactic and one that works for both of these types of men is to just ask questions. For the chatty man you might offer a tidbit after you ask the question i.e. ‘so where did you grow up? I grew up around here but moved away for university, was that similar for you?’ For the quiet man just ask enough questions until you strike upon a topic he’s comfortable with.
9. Get out of your comfort zone and have fun
One of the most cliché dating tips for women over 50 is simple – just have fun. Busy, successful women tend to have trouble letting themselves out of their comfort zone and living in the moment. Whether your work keeps you busy, your family, social life or a combination of it all, you have to remember to stop and smell the roses. If you have a great date but aren’t sure it’s going to go anywhere, then don’t stress, enjoy the fact that you enjoyed yourself. Use dating as a way to also date yourself and as a great excuse to try new things.
10. Embrace life
One last dating tip cliché before you go. Remember, online dating is all about finding someone special to have a connection with. It’s a journey with a start, middle and end that you get as much out as you put into it. SilverSingles has built a community where mature singles can talk, meet and fall in love in a safe and welcoming environment. Foster your confidence and discover some things you didn’t know about yourself on this journey and, most of all, enjoy yourself.
Sign up to SilverSingles today to start your journey.
About the author: The Editorial Team
Bringing you the very latest dating trends, relationship advice and news from Inside SilverSingles, the Editorial Team are on hand to guide you through the online dating game...