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Age difference

(120 Posts)
Annaram1 Wed 06-Feb-19 11:13:44

I go to church irregularly. perhaps once or twice a month. Recently I noticed that a much younger man in a seat just across the aisle from me kept looking at me during the service and he also smiled in a friendly way. I pretended not to notice. The next time I went he did the same thing. I often go to the after service coffee which is held in the church hall. This time he came in and sat at my table and introduced himself. He is Italian and has recently moved to the area. He is tall and quite attractive, lovely dark greying hair, and good teeth. And a very sexy accent.
We had a good chat about all sorts of things. He hasn't asked me out but now I am a bit nervous that he will. I would not know what to say. He is at least 15 years younger than I am. What would others do in my situation?

HannahLoisLuke Thu 07-Feb-19 15:26:28

Annarami, I don't know why but your remark about no dancing or anything sporty made me giggle.

I agree with others, if he asks then go, but be sensible and go where there are lots of people, keep your hand on your ha'penny ( as my mother used to say) and just enjoy his company.
Don't accept a lift in his car, have your own transport.
Can't wait to hear how this progresses. Good luck.

Liz46 Thu 07-Feb-19 14:52:21

My (second) husband is seven years younger than I and we are still very happily married after over twenty five years. When I met him (we were introduced by a friend), I was about to get divorced and the very last thing I wanted was another man!
He persuaded me to go out and we got on like a house on fire straight away.

Caro57 Thu 07-Feb-19 14:41:31

Nobody would think twice if he was 15 years older so why worry the other way round - go and enjoy

minxie Thu 07-Feb-19 14:19:21

Go girl, but what M0nica said

Jalima1108 Thu 07-Feb-19 14:03:35

Go out, enjoy yourself but hold back from any further commitments, take it slowly.

I say this as two older women I know have been 'swept off their feet' by charming new suitors, one lost her house, her savings and her pride and the other escaped by a hair's breadth.

T1nkerBe11e Thu 07-Feb-19 13:56:34

Enjoy his company, get to know him. I have great male friend who I met through work. We enjoy each other’s company. It’s purely platonic. Only small minded people make judgement.

Annaram1 Thu 07-Feb-19 13:52:46

Telly, no way would I invite him to my home to meet my family, not for a long time.
Oh Romeo! You are such a nice man, and all the Gransnetters are dead jealous of my fancy man. I hope he turns out to be really sweet and as nice as he seems to be so far, I do not expect a big romance at my age, but it would be nice just to have somebody around... You know what I mean.

grandtanteJE65 Thu 07-Feb-19 13:50:11

You know, he might just feel that church is such a respectable place to meet that you couldn't possibly think he was making a pass!

Sorry, couldn't resist the temptation.

If he asks go out and enjoy yourself, it's easy enough to mention your children in conversation and ask about his family, whether he is living here permanently or going back to Italy.

ENJOY YOURSELF.

Annaram1 Thu 07-Feb-19 13:45:58

Gabriella and other ladies who are older than their men. You all inspire me. I shall go to church this coming Sunday and see what happens,
A year ago I met a man (English) on a dating site. He seemed OK, close to my age, and took me to a garden centre for tea and a teacake. Then a week later he asked me to go to a local theatre to view an opera beamed over from London. The moment the theatre lights went down he grabbed my hand. I was not ready for that and wiggled it free. He drove a lovely green Jaguar. I am not a fast mover. I decided not to see him again and now I regret it . He told me I was beautiful!!!

Noreen3 Thu 07-Feb-19 13:43:48

I'd be very flattered,and want to get to know him better,but ,as people have been saying,keep safe and go to somewhere where you can just sit and chat.I know a couple where the woman is 15 years older,they are so happy,she's in her 70s.

Telly Thu 07-Feb-19 13:43:14

Reality check - Tall dark handsome stranger chats up ladies at church for friendship? I think there is something in the adage 'if it seems too good to be true then it probably is'.
I would just keep to meeting in church with coffee. If he suggest other meetings, ask him to Sunday lunch with the family!

ExaltedWombat Thu 07-Feb-19 12:55:00

Where are you MEANT to meet people? Church has always been a dating service. But make it clear you only fancy him sexually, and are after his money. (Well, you're worried it might be the other way around, aren't you? Equality is available, you only have to pick it up.)

GabriellaG54 Thu 07-Feb-19 12:41:36

Urmstongran

Gosh! You are a card.
I exploded with laughter when I read the Ms Macron bit. Who on earth would want to look like her? Gee whizz, not me. shockwinkgrin
I'm a size 16/18 up top and 14/16 on the bottom half, depending on where I shop. Marry that to 5'7" and that's me. Not pretty, possibly mildly attractive but it's all about personality, it must be. My OH likes the fact that I'm totally different to anyone he's met as regards personality and no bs. We talk a lot and I give him nice back massages.
All good. smile

Patzee Thu 07-Feb-19 12:33:07

I would be very wary. My husband is a pastor; the 'new visitor' I watch closely is the single male. Sometimes, they come to church with a different agenda that spiritual growth. I don't know enough of the details to say that he has ulterior motives, but I have seen it done in church before. 'Church people' can be very trusting and naive. Just be really, really careful! A 60-year old man has a large pool of available females to choose from. Does it seem interesting that a handsome foreign stranger would choose a church to meet women? H-m-m-m ........

ElaineRI55 Thu 07-Feb-19 11:57:38

Relax and enjoy the friendship as it develops. If it becomes a romantic involvement, you can discuss whether the age difference would cause you any problems. The difference may turn out to be less than you think. You can presumably also find out quite a bit about him from other folk at church/in the neighbourhood before you accept an invitation for a date. If he is pretty comfortably off, as you seem to have discovered, it is unlikely that he is looking for financial support or a roof over his head - but it is always best to be cautious. I had a friend who got involved with a Turkish man. She went to live in Turkey and they were supposed to be getting married. She lent him some money but it became very nasty ( including violence) when he realised she was not as rich as he had thought and then it turned out he was actually still married although he had said he was divorced (he had shown her what was meant to be divorce papers) .
Good luck - hopefully it will become at least a good friendship and maybe more.

ReadyMeals Thu 07-Feb-19 11:57:23

My husband is 15 years younger than me, but we did come from similar backgrounds and he had elderly parents so was almost like my generation. We've been together over 25 years now, so it can happen. But, at the risk of sounding xenophobic or something, some cultures are more flirtatious than others, and one tends to think of a smooth talking Italian romeo, and not take it as seriously as if a normal working class English guy started coming on. So by all means enjoy it but always view it through the context of this person's own background and personality, so that you're not reading him wrong. Also I don't know your financial situation but there is always the worry that someone might be after material benefits - another problem I didn't need to worry about with mine as he was better off than me. We basically came together, initially as friends, over a shared hobby.

Urmstongran Thu 07-Feb-19 11:39:12

He sounds gorgeous! And no need to jump ahead to ‘a relationship’ just meet up (I agree not a cinema, no chatting there), not a meal (you might find it stressful and want to bolt) but a cafe/bar would be fine.
Yes, go to church this Sunday. If you don’t you’ll beat yourself up all day! Try not to think others are judging you. So what if they are? You might if the shoe were on the other foot anyway. That’s life!

And GabriellaG54 I’m so impressed at the age gap with your partner! You sound as though you have a good figure and without a fat tummy to contend with that must give you such a confidence boost. I shall think of you now as Mde. Macron! Love it!

Milly Thu 07-Feb-19 11:33:12

I had a nice male friend six years younger than me, and just when I thought things were hotting up he told me he was gay grin we are still seeing each other as good friends.

mabon1 Thu 07-Feb-19 11:27:52

Agree with ClareAB, go for it IF he asks, but tread carefully !!!

nannypiano Thu 07-Feb-19 11:27:19

If you own your own property, be very careful. He might be looking for a roof over his head. I'm not saying it's a given but say no if this is the case. A partner as such does not need to live with you for long these days before they have some entitlement to the shared property. But good luck. I hope he is genuine.

Lancslass1 Thu 07-Feb-19 11:26:37

Just play it by ear.
Good luck.

JanaNana Thu 07-Feb-19 11:21:38

I tend to go by my gut instinct, if yours tells you he seems an ok sort of man, then continue the friendship and see where it leads. Really age is just a number if you are mentally in tune with each other. You could find that a romance blossoms from this or just good friendship.

sandelf Thu 07-Feb-19 11:19:18

Don't let the friends sit and gossip! Introduce him, tell him a little something about each person - and introduce him to others you know at church.- Tell them what you know about him etc - keep it open, light and friendly. Then - when you know a bit more about him, and he knows about you and your life... IF it develops into a closer friendship fine. THE RULES still apply whatever your ages. If you have never read it read it now - how to have a happy life, be a nice person, and keep yourself safe.

Buddly Thu 07-Feb-19 11:13:45

Go for it and enjoy yourself. Life’s too short.
You must let us know how you go on.

red1 Thu 07-Feb-19 10:55:55

there is a general rule than max 10 years differencein age gap is ok,there are lots of exceptions of course. ive a friend who is 70 im 63, could the friendship turn into a relationship? I don't know .with a bigger age gap,you came from a different era.i think relationships are hard enough why make it more difficult? also he has only smiled and had a chat with you,why
do you think he wants more?