How Men Over 50 Should Use Dating Sites

Do you find yourself single again? How long has it been since you’ve been “on the market?”

W​ell, fellas, the times, they are a changing. Technology allows us to swipe right or left instead of engaging in a genuine conversation. Seems easy enough, right?

U​nfortunately, they get to give you the swipe treatment too. So if you don’t know how to use these sites, your swiping finger will get awfully tired as you become increasingly frustrated by modern dating.

I​f you find yourself meeting the wrong people on a dating site, it’s likely your profile that’s to blame. As you get older and look less like a male model, you must customize your profile for success.

H​onesty is the best policy

Y​ou might think it’s okay to subtract a decade or so from your life experience but remember, you get what you give.

Like you, t​hat young hottie might not be as spry as they look in their pictures. If they do, good luck showing up looking like their dad.

T​he ball cap you’re wearing in every picture isn’t fooling anyone. It’s a sure sign that you’re hiding something, and it’s probably not hair.

I​f you like eating Cheetos while watching the ball game every evening, don’t say you hit the gym every day after work.

T​he Mercedes you’re standing beside in your profile picture should be yours. Saying, “My car is in the shop,” doesn’t work when you roll up in a 2005 Buick LeSabre.

B​e honest about who you are and how you look. Otherwise, you’re the old guy in the bar with a bad toupee and cheap cologne.

Consider the type of person you’d like to meet and be that guy.

Photography 101

A profile needs more than one photo, and your LinkedIn headshot shouldn’t be one of them.

Neither should you use group photos or include pics of your children or grandchildren. It’s a privacy issue for your friends and family. Save the introduction to your children and ask if they prefer Mimi or Gigi for a much later point in the relationship.

It’s best to use recent photos, even if you still fit into those jeans from twenty years ago. Also, don’t take pictures of pictures in an old photo album. Nothing says “old guy,” like not using a camera phone and recycling Polaroids.

When it comes to additional photos, you can tell people that you like to travel without sharing a photographic travelogue. Keep the pictures of you standing in front of random monuments and “the most amazing pad thai you ever ate” to yourself.

Finally, avoid using memes in your profile photos. Memes aren’t clever and interesting; they’re cheesy and weird on a dating site.

Y​our resume

A​n online dating profile is your resume for prospective companions to review and decide whether or not you’re worthy of their time and attention.

Take the time to craft a unique description of who you are and the type of person you wish to find. There’s no need to be Hemingway. Write how you speak and share your personality.

T​oo many dating site profiles contain vague comments like, “Ask me later” or “Find out when you meet me.” Once again, you’re not being clever and mysterious. You’re hiding something.

T​he intro

When you get a bite on your profile, your first communication is vital to turning it into a date.

“​Hey” or “What’s up” are not the way to introduce yourself. “You look pretty” or “Where do you live?” are straight-up creepy.

S​tart the conversation by commenting on something you noticed in their profile. Play it safe and avoid mentioning their appearance. Ask questions that engage and require a response other than “Yes” or “No.”

Think about your introduction as you would meeting someone at a party. Keep it light and be polite.

Most importantly, reply when people connect with you. As you’ll quickly discover, putting yourself out there can be unnerving. Play nice!

I​f you’re not into somebody, don’t just ignore or block them. Let them know that you don’t think you’re a good match, and wish them luck in their continued search.

 

O​nline dating is not something that you should be good at unless you’re a serial dater. The goal should be to find someone compatible and leave the site.

Y​ou’ll need a bit of patience and a sense of humor to survive. Good luck!

 

T​ake care, even down there.

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