Senior Dating Etiquette Tips

Senior Dating

3 Senior Dating Etiquette Tips

April Braswell

Written by: April Braswell

April Braswell

April Braswell is a senior dating expert, dating coach and professional dating profile writer. She leads dating, relationship and communication skills workshops throughout California. You can sign up for her ezine at www.AprilBraswell.com and get a free gift ecourse when you do.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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If you’re anything like all the other senior singles looking to date again, it’s likely been quite awhile since your last date.

Whether you’re re-entering the mature dating game after a divorce or death of spouse, you’re likely wondering what the current dating etiquette rules are that you and your date should expect to follow.

Well, here are my top 3!

1. Men Should Pay for the First Date 

I’ve already covered how midlife women expect a mature man to pay for the first date. However, ladies, many senior men who have transitioned to living on Social Security are wary of being treated as a meal ticket. Keep your beverage and meal choices modest. Tonight is not the night to sample the surf and turf entree.

Secondarily, bring a $20 and some singles with you just in case he’s expecting you to pay or at least pitch in. Perhaps you could pick up the tip?

2. Both Parties Should Be on Their Best Behavior

Gentlemen, if you’re feeling a wallet pinch, keep your selection of venue in mind to manage your funds. Pay for dinner and take her to a free concert once you’re past the first date.

Secondarily, when you’re spending less on her, that’s the time to do all of those extra gentlemanly things that cost you nothing and help her feeling of attraction grow. Open the restaurant door for her. Open the car door for her. Give her a single rose cut from your garden. Help her with her chair at the restaurant.

3. Take Your Time 

Since many senior couples have their first date as a result of their meeting on a senior dating dite, that means, of course, you two should meet in a well-light, public venue.

However, once you’ve met, she’s expecting gentlemanly behavior from you. That means, yes, you drive to pick her up. Only after the two of you are a couple and well past your third month of commitment can you start asking her to meet you at the venue.

Why? Because your courting behavior creates and fosters a woman’s feelings of attraction. It’s not always about the money.

Relying on more traditional manners from Emily Post to start out any relationship will stand you in good stead. She’ll never fault you for behaving like a gentleman on the first few dates.

Once you have transitioned to a committed, exclusive couple, then you can open up the discussion about what matters to the two of you specifically. Being the gentleman you are gives you the best chance to get past the first date and move into the senior coupledom you seek.

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