The Pros And Cons Of Dating Someone A Lot Older Than You
Never forget Richard and Monica. #iconic
I dated a guy who was 15 years older than me, and boy did I learn a few things. We ended the relationship because we both wanted different things for our future; he was a divorced father of two and I was in my last year of uni. And while our pairing may seem like a bad combination, this relationship was the best 10 months of my life.
If you’re about to enter a relationship with someone who’s older than you, there are a few things you need to know.
Dating an older guy means you’ll have to battle with the stigma, the jokes from friends and the rude assumptions. Will it be worth it? We broke it down so you can decide for yourself.
Pro: Knowing How To Hold A Conversation
Not only do older guys generally prefer to talk in person or on the phone, they skip all the small talk. No late night texts saying “wyd? Send pics”. Instead, most of the time you can expect intellectual conversations and being treated as an equal. This gives you the impression that you can really open up to an older guy and feel like he gets you.
Con: Having Different Interests
From my experience, talking about the Kardashians’ or wanting to watch Disney movies wasn’t really a hit with my ex. You may need to save watching certain movies or shows for when you’re alone or with the girls. This can also include some of his shows; forget watching Home and Away, you’ll be tuning into current affairs and documentaries.
Pro: They Don’t Mind Splurging On You
Older guys generally don’t mind picking up the cheque for dinner, shouting you coffees or even splitting costs on holidays! They have a “grown-up” attitude towards money, meaning you won’t have to worry about paying back that $2 he spotted you.
Con: Not Being Able To Splurge On Them
If you love being independent like me, sometimes not being able to splurge on your partner makes you feel inadequate. Trying to find a birthday or Christmas present on a student budget is pretty difficult and it can make that age gap seem all the more wider.
Pro: Not Addicted To Social Media
This can seriously reduce the drama in your relationship! They may not have social media or use it very often, which means no stalking of girls who like or comment on his pictures. This can go the other way too; they won’t fight about that guy who always likes your Insta photos.
Con: Posting Photos With Them
This can cause a problem especially if someone comments on your picture, “Who’s that old man in the photo with you” or “ Is that your uncle?” This is something that happened to me and it’s very deflating. So in every picture you post, you feel as if you need to make it clear that this person is in fact your partner to avoid these reactions.
So when entering a relationship with a big age difference, just remember to have thick skin, weigh the pros and cons, and do what you feel is right.
During the day you can find Teisha at the gym lifting heavy things or relaxing with a coffee. At night she’s watching sport and drinking wine. She’s all about balance.
(Lead image: Friends/NBC)