A Few Men Have Asked Me Out Online. Should I Go On Dates with All of Them?

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Written by: Dr. Wendy Walsh

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, radio host & podcaster, and the author of three books on relationships and thousands of print and digital articles. More than 1.5 million people follow her sage advice on social media. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and teaches in the Psychology Department at California State University Channel Islands and has been the host of "The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show" on iHeart Radio's KFI AM 640 since 2015. Walsh is also a former Emmy-nominated co-host of "The Doctors," as well as former host of the nationally syndicated show "EXTRA." She was named a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2017 after speaking out about harassment at a major news network.

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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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Reader Question:

I’m 46 years old. I’m on online dating sites. I have a few men asking me out at the same time. I’m not sure if I should tell the others.

These men express they are looking for a girlfriend and want a relationship, which is also my goal.

Should I go on dates with different men to see which one pans out?

-Kris (Ohio)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Excellent question, Kris! Remember, dating is supposed to be partner assessment time.

You have no obligation to be exclusive to one person after a date or two, since that isn’t enough time to assess them for their full boyfriend potential.

But you have some moral and health reasons to be exclusive after the onset of sexual activity.

So if you’re not sleeping with any of the men you meet, then you are a free agent.

As for how much to disclose about your dating life, I’m a believer honesty is the best policy. Explain you are dating one or two other people and will be making your selection soon.

As long as you don’t enter a sexual relationship or disclose too much personal information about the other men (which could be construed as a boundary violation), then you are free to happily date whomever you like.

If your dates don’t like this and are pressuring you for too much too soon, then you have some information about their ability to delay gratification.


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