How old is too old?

[Ashweebooxx]

This isn't necessarily about ddlg, but i can see how it ties in. I am a younger member of the community, and I have a boyfriend. All the people i talk to are older than me. My boyfriend is four years older than me. I have a friend 9 years older, and have talked to people with an age difference bigger than that. For example, I have lovely conversations with a man who is 4 years younger than my mother. My best friend pointed it out that i do this. Is it bad? I feel so much more comfortable talking to older men. I don't know if its "daddy issues" because i don't see them this way. I just much prefer the company of older individuals. Should i talk to people closer to my age?

[Guest SweetPurpleCherry]

You can talk to anyone you want! People who will point this out are certainly jealous that you can keep a long, interesting conversation when they barely can talk 3minutes straight without saying "like, i mean".

Most of my friends are 12-15y older than me, some are older than my father, and i have a blast with them!!! There's nothing wrong in it! Remember that age is just a number

 

Don't worry about that, at least you're interesting

[Guest JesterDaddy]

Age is just a number. Providing you are happy talking to him and visa versa (and obviously staying safe and taking reasonable precautions to not put yourself at risk if he's not what he seems... and not saying this because of an age gap but just standard self-protection from stranger danger) then who cares if there is an age difference.

 

As an older guy myself I can say it is refreshing to talk to someone younger and get a different perspective on the world... and as a daddy, my nuturing side means I want to help and guide people, so I would be comfortable and so should you be.

[Guest MermaidKiss]

[emiindreamland]

No way it's not bad! I tend to get along better with people younger than me and also much older than me. Stick me in a room with a bunch of middle aged people and I'll get along way better with them than people my age.

[PrincessLilBug]

For me, i get along better with older people rather than younger people too, I think this is because I'm the youngest in my family but all of my family members have huge age gaps - my closest of age sister is 8 years older than me, and my oldest brother is 30 years older than me. I don't think it matters who you get along with more, or their age. Many older people need friends and people to check on them and hang out with them because they get lonely too! I think if anything it's a good asset - that you can get along with people regardless of age!

[Guest Arc]

Many of my friends are closer to my parent's age than mine. Some even have kids older than me. I don't see a problem, and I don't see there being such a thing as too old. As long as you're happy and safe nobody else really has the right to judge or say anything. 

 

I get along with people other than me far better than people my own age. I'm somewhat more mature than many of my peers and a lot of what they do and what they talk about simply doesn't interest me. Many of my older friends tell me they sometimes forget I'm under half their age. I just fit in better there. 

 

Talk to whoever you are comfortable with. Friends shouldn't judge. They should only care that you are happy and having a good time. 

[CaresAlot]

This is a topic that I missed and it certainly applies to me.  I didn't know what people on here thought.  I think I bring a lot of life experience to the table.

 

Physically, last ten years I've gotten stronger taking my 100 mile time from 8 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes.  I'm not just saying that age is just a number, I'm showing that it is.  Staying active keeps everything working.    

[Guest brandnewkitty]

I agree that age has little to do with friendship.

Would you have more in common with people your age? Possibly, but that doesn't mean you have to be friends with only your age group!

 

It's humorous to me that this topic came up in my search. I'm 36 and my coworker with whom I work the closest is 19. She told me just yesterday, "I wish you were younger so we could hang out!"

Me: "What? Are you implying I'm too old to be your friend?"

Her: "Nooooo, well, maybe."

Me: "My best friend is only a little older than you, if people have things in common and enjoy spending time together, I don't really think age differences matter."

Her: [looks sheepish] "Well, maybe not. But why couldn't you have come out of your mother 15 years later!"

Me: Nearly busts a gut laughing.

 

I wouldn't let anyone make me feel uncomfortable because of whom I decide to befriend. Friends make life better. The more varied, the wider your worldview becomes. And the more you're able to learn.

Edited April 6, 2018 by brandnewkitty

[Guest You're adorable.]

As said above, for friendship, I don't think there is any ideal age gap. I may be older in a sense, but I get perfectly along with people younger than me. On the other hand, there are some areas and topics in which i have an opinion that lots of older people have. Friendship really shouldn't be about age at all. 

The saying "You should hang out with people your age" is really not a guideline, i think. 

I hang out with people that i have something in common with and that share my opinions and can hold decent conversation with me. 

 

Summary. Don't feel bad about someone telling you something like that.