A question for men in their forties and fifties

Hello all.

After reading this very 'spirited' thread, I decided to post my own experiences, as well. Here's my .05 worth. lol.

Firstly, inasmuch as we've all been guilty of making sweeping generalizations at one point in our lives or another, we really cut ourselves out of meeting some truly wonderful human beings when we impose such strict, and unyielding, 'rules' upon those we have not yet met.

Fortunately, I've been blessed with great genes and have been told that I look 10 to 15 years younger than my true age. I believe that while genes may have some affect on us, it is our overall attitude about life and people which affect our happiness, and therefore our health. I am always smiling,laughing,joking,or cutting up in general, therefore I give off a vibe of genuine happiness and radiance. This seems to make me attractive not only to men, but to women as well. After all, who wants to be around a grumpy person... younger or older.

Because of my youthful exuberance towards life, I find men of ALL ages attracted to me, and yes, I've dated men much younger than myself...19 years old to my 49; men my own age; and then men much older than myself... 72 to my 50 years of age. I've 'tucked in' the younger 'boys' at 1 a.m. and then headed off to dance or to a party till 5 a.m., and literally 'dragged' another young one, aged 23, along behind me, as we hiked the Smokey Mountains. At 49, I also met a 19 year old who was very intelligent and mature, who rocked my world. I also met a man my own age at the time, aged 48, who was a Reservist chopper pilot in Iraq AND an accomplished Chiropractor with his own office who 'went the distance' with me all night long as we danced the horizontal mambo.

So, what I'm trying to say is, if we impart such strict criteria to our matches, we are going to end up missing out on a vast WORLD of awesome human beings, regardless of their age. And, really, which amongst all of us here, is such a perfect diamond ourself? Surely, we ALL have some faults...no???

That said, by stating that 'younger women' have nothing to contribute to an older partner, that is simply NOT TRUE. I've always been an extremely disciplined and motivated person, and my life's accomplishments began at an early age. At age 17, while working at a bank by day and attending University by night, I established credit independently of my parents, and purchased my own brand new vehicle. I made all payments, including insurance and gas, myself, as my parents could not afford it, nor would I allow them to even if they could. By age 25, I had an excellent career in the medical field, and purchased my own brand new townhouse on a lake...by MYSELF. Your slamming of young women sounds like the ranting of a petty and jealous person, at the very least...not at all flattering for an older woman.

And, yes, I've been 'poofed' aplenty, and I'VE 'poofed' some men, myself. Some reasons I 'poof' men include, but are not limited to: (a) lack of education/intelligence, or an inability to hold my interest during a chat or conversation. I enjoy intellectually stimulating conversation. It is CRUCIAL to my well being and survival; (b)a man who is too pious, conservative, or who holds a very narrow minded view of the world, and those in it; (c)a man with no sense of humor. In today's day and age, how can one live without it? Also, men who are too full of themselves are an instant turn-off, as well, regardless of their age, intellect, looks/physique, occupation, or standing in the community.

I think what it all boils down to is that we all have people to whom we are attracted, and those who are attracted to us; and that a host of biologically driven responses, as well as visual cues, determines who we ultimately end up falling in love with.

In closing, I'd like to wish everyone on these boards much luck in finding whomever, or whatever, they are looking for.

~greeneyedkitten