Singles Over 50
Singles over 50 years of age are in luck, because the online dating demographic that's the fastest-growing in the country is the 50-65 crowd. In fact, a recent study showed that 2/3rds of the singles between 50 years old and 65 years old searched on the Internet for their next love match. Quite frankly, the best option for a person 50 years or older is to go online to find friendship and companionship.
There are Internet websites that cater specifically to the gray crowd, including "Dating After 50" websites, Seniors dating sites and other niche friend finders you can use to find singles like yourself. Just about any dating site, from eHarmony to Match, is going to have special forums and chats for people your age.
Also, most websites for singles these days let people set their own age parameters for talks, chats and dates, so if you're 50 years old and you find a 25 year old who has no qualms about dating a "veteran male", that's spelled out from the beginning, too.
Tips for Online Singles Over 50
If you're about to try dating other singles on the Net for the first time and you're 50 or over, here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
Buy a Membership to an Online Dating Site
Spend for a one-month membership at the online dating website of your choice. Don't try the free option and get disgusted, because no one replies to your emails. Nobody replies to any free customers' emails on most dating sites, because that's not an option, a lot of the times. You can browse profiles and pictures, if you don't pay money, but most of the time, someone else has to contact you first.
So splurge on a 1-month membership and really give Internet dating a try. Make sure to choose a month when you're going to have a lot of extra time on your hands. Browse and find people you want to get to know better. Then contact them. Most won't work out, but that's life. The same thing happens to the 20-year olds.
Decide What You Want
Make a list of exactly what you want from someone you date, whether it's friendship, an occasional date partner, "friends with benefits", a romantic partner or a new life companion. In any case, state right up front in your profile exactly what you hope to find.
Also make a list of the qualities you want in a romance partner. Be specific. Put these in your profile, too. Be realistic, but don't be spare with your words. In other words, don't raise your standards so high it's going to scare off people, but state your mind.
Finally, when talking about yourself in your profile, be truthful, but be upbeat. Present the most positive, attractive version of yourself, while staying within the truth. I tell this to teenagers, 20 something, 30 somethings and anyone else I advise about online dating. Show your personality, but an attractive side of your personality. Positivity is a big part of that.
List Your Joys and Hobbies
If you enjoy bird watching, list it. If you enjoy walks in the park, list it. If you enjoy rides on a Sunday afternoon, a trip to Barnes & Noble and a good book, time spent with your grandkids, working in your garden or watching "Pickers" marathons on the History Channel, list what you like to do.
People make a connection with these things. They round out your personality and tell something about you. Imagine each one of these likes to be a hook on a fishing line you string across the pond. Each new hook has a chance of catching another fish.
Network on the Site
Really give online dating a try. Find your online dating website's forum or message board. Browse for a while, then start posting. Post in the general forum or in the "over 50" category. Ask questions, if you have them. Post your thoughts or musings about online dating.
Meet people and make friends. Jump in feet first. Who knows? You might meet the person you're looking for on the message boards. Either way, you're more likely to make love match by meeting the maximum number of people.
That's the reason you started online dating in the first place.
Let It Spill Over into Everyday Life
Take that same attitude into your day-to-day life. Go to the coffee shop or go for a walk in the park more often. Hold your head up and have a smile on your face. Singles over 50 meet someone that changes their life every single day of the world; that can be you.
The fact is, if you're friendly, open and willing to meet people, you'll meet people. You don't have to like them all, but it doesn't hurt to pretend. When you go shopping, you look at everything the store has and find the option that is best suited for your needs.
Do the same when you start to date at 50 and over.
Dating After 50
Don't worry about what your friends and family are going to say. People who have lost a loved one or come through a bitter divorce around the age of 50 still have a lot of years left on this Earth. Starting a new love life at 50 is something millions of people worldwide are doing.
You might be lonely now, but there's a world full of lonely people. Look at your home computer as the friend who's going to introduce you to the next great love of your life.