Dating Over 50 Tips and Tricks for Taking On the Dating Scene

With many singles over 50 being firmly part of Generation X and comfortable in a digital world, over 50 dating has reached a juncture between tradition and modernity. Anyone giving  dating over 50 tips needs to recognize this. So let us help you navigate it with our updated over 50 dating advice using our 20 years of online dating expertise.

Spotting three of the dating over 50 red flags

Learn what to look out for with these dating over 50 red flags:

• A study from Change Research found that having no interests or hobbies is one of the biggest red flags.¹ And your interest are really important to compatibility as single over 50
• A Personality and Individual Differences study found clinginess to be the most undesirable short-term personality trait and apathy to be an undesirable long-term one
• Always look out for early signs of toxic partners. They often express controlling behavior early on and are uncomfortable with being told no²

Now let’s look at some dating over 50 tips that are more affirming. 

Mastering dating over 50: Rules and top tips for success

Before delving into dating over 50 tips, let’s take a look at some general dating over 50 rules. 

• Focus less on physical imperfections and more on being in the right mental space to date successfully
• Spontaneity is important in attraction but you should also put some thought into how you come across online, creating memorable dates and avoiding uncomfortable topics. Make every interaction with you a positive experience
• Decide your dating goals before you start
• Don’t dwell on the past but rather look towards your shared future 

Our top 10 dating over 50 tips

Now let’s look at our top ten dating over 50 tips.

1. Cultivating a positive mindset

Staying positive about dating scene can be hard as you get older. While cynicism can be good for a laugh and keeping yourself emotionally guarded, negativity doesn’t often engender affection.

Worse, it makes you plan for failure which is a waste of your time. One of the best pieces of over 50 dating advice is to embrace the unknown, date for your own enjoyment and look at every date as a freshly swept stage for a new love story.

2. Building up confidence

Insecurities can plague middle-aged singles, particularly around issues like attractiveness and physical fitness. 

Among the best over 50 dating tips are to not let stereotypes and people’s innate tendency to be their own harshest critics warp your sense of self. There are always risks but almost no-one over 50 has the body of a 20-year-old, so try to focus on the value your character and experiences bring, imperfections and all.

3. Effective online dating strategies

Online dating can be different for singles over 50, particularly when it comes to how certain generations approach it. Let’s explore.

• Set your goals beforehand to pick the right over 50 dating site or app.  Middle-aged singles tend to be more likely to pay for premium services whereas more casual daters opt for swipe-based apps
• Be honest in your profile. From up-to-date pictures to a more modest breakdown of your interests, don’t give people an excuse to dismiss you in the name of boosting your ego
• Be authentic in messages. Singles are more interested in sincerity than perfection. And you get to have an actual meaningful conversation
• Try to meet in person as soon as possible. You can’t establish chemistry without a proper face-to-face so get it out of the way sooner rather than later.

But how do you tackle that first date?

4. Making a memorable first date as single over 50

Forget first dates being like interviews and try to rediscover your optimism. Most people will focus more on whether you’re good company than establishing soul mate candidacy. Here’s how.

• Choose the right venue. If the connection is tentative, maybe try for something quick that can be expanded on if it goes well. But don’t be afraid to plan something more elaborate either
• Don’t let nerves get to you. Prepare backup conversation topics and run through your inventory of qualities to get those confidence levels up
• Be open and authentic with your date, even if it feels a bit scary, to spark a genuine connection. At worst, one of you can end the date early

5. Work on your communication skills

Being open may not be how you generally interact and that’s fine. But you should try to strike a happy medium because dating is about achieving intimacy and you can’t do that with your emotional guard up.

A good way to work on your communication is to always consider your audience. This will help you be more empathetic and active listening helps to get beyond small talk. Body language is as loud as words so be positive, engaged and welcoming.

6. Leave your baggage at the door

Things you shouldn’t focus on when dating over 50: when to kiss, , how long to wait before you message them and figuring out after one or two dates if they’re right for you.

A big, and admittedly complex, part of this is not letting failed relationships and emotional baggage scuttle your chances in new ones. People tend to self-sabotage when they expect failure. This doesn’t mean you should be naive but rather that you should give new relationships a fair chance. 

7. Managing expectations

We’ve discussed relationship cynicism but the right kind of love can make idealists of even the hardened souls. Small leaps of faith are often necessary in a budding relationship.

But keep them realistic and remember that if you spend too much time trying to control the direction in which that love grows, you could end up nipping the buds entirely. Learn to let it grow at its own pace. 

8. Navigating differing family dynamics

One area where caution is warranted in dating over 50 dating tips is managing the family. There’s no universal best practice for this, particularly if there are children on both sides and you have to figure out how to integrate as the relationship grows.

The best way to start is through open communication about what misgivings family members may have, dealing sensitively with over-protective adult children and realizing that your family’s concerns are at their core an expression of love and affection. 

9. Planning a future together

Once you’ve mastered the balance between planning and impulsivity, relationship baggage and unrealistic expectations, you may find the notion of falling in love coming into view. What now?

These dating over 50 rules will feel more familiar. It’s time to start planning your life together and considering whether you’d have long-term compatibility. You can still maintain your autonomy and date on your terms but you also have to share things to deepen your connection as a couple. 

10. And the most important of all dating over 50 tips? Have fun

If we haven’t made it obvious enough yet, the person you should most be focusing on is you. You’re over 50 now and if there’s ever been a time to be impulsive, it’s now. Be determined and selfish about it, have fun, don’t take it seriously until you want to and, most importantly, don’t let family expectations rain on your parade.

Navigate Single Over 50 Dating with Confidence: Tips from eharmony

These dating over 50 tips are designed to help you make the most of your dating experience without getting in your own way. eharmony remains the best home for the level-headed, well-balanced romantic because we specialize in genuine connections built on compatibility. Find out for yourself now and register today.