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To be shocked that my good friend, 37, is seeing a 66 year old lady?

359 replies

darksideofthetoon · 28/06/2026 19:59

Had a few beers with a good friend recently and got a bit tipsy and we got into his dating life. He told me that he’s been seeing a 66 year old grandmother. He is only 37 for reference. They met via online dating.

To be clear, there is nothing wrong with this but I’m just a bit shocked to be honest. He says that they enjoy each other’s company and there is no intention of it developing into anything more.

My friend has always dated younger women and not short of female attention at all.

It’s all good right?

OP posts:
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Jane143 · 05/07/2026 11:07

TransportNerd · 01/07/2026 19:07

The prevailing view on Mumsnet is that anyone with the merest hint of a libido is a disgusting pervert.

This is absolutely hilarious and partly true 👏👏👏👏

Cheshireguy · 04/07/2026 12:53

Lots of attractive women in their 60s I am in my 40's and would gladly date an older woman and good for her!

darksideofthetoon · 02/07/2026 12:23

JacquesHarlow · 02/07/2026 11:35

You would be "shocked" (i quote) if someone dated a tall woman instead of a petite woman?

Shocked?

I really wish my life had these kind of parameters to it so that I too could be "shocked" by the everyday and unremarkable choices made by my friends.

You only quoted the word shocked and left out the context like a rag journalist.

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JacquesHarlow · 02/07/2026 11:35

darksideofthetoon · 02/07/2026 10:45

Absolutely, especially if he went from dating petite women to a plus 6 foot lady. Yes, I would be shocked.

You would be "shocked" (i quote) if someone dated a tall woman instead of a petite woman?

Shocked?

I really wish my life had these kind of parameters to it so that I too could be "shocked" by the everyday and unremarkable choices made by my friends.

darksideofthetoon · 02/07/2026 10:45

JHound · 02/07/2026 10:28

But people are attracted to all types of people. If all his exes were short then he dated a tall woman would you say “he can date all kinds of women I am surprised he’s with a tall woman”.

Absolutely, especially if he went from dating petite women to a plus 6 foot lady. Yes, I would be shocked.

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JHound · 02/07/2026 10:28

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 23:12

Not inherently better but very different to who he dated previously hence the shock. I wasn’t expecting it. Perhaps if he had a habit of dating women 10-15 years older but he’s skipped that and gone for 3 decades older. I mean that’s a shock.

But people are attracted to all types of people. If all his exes were short then he dated a tall woman would you say “he can date all kinds of women I am surprised he’s with a tall woman”.

happychops · 02/07/2026 00:54

As long as they are both consenting adults having fun, who are we to criticise? Good luck to them both

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 23:14

Peacebwithu · 01/07/2026 22:58

Nigella is a perfect example of how women in their 60s can be absolutely gorgeous & sexy. Is it any wonder men of all ages can have their heads turned by older women 😂

Oh Nigella and she’s 66 too. Maybe that’s where he has taken his inspiration!

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darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 23:12

JHound · 01/07/2026 22:46

But why do you say that? You seem to think him
being with a woman his own age is inherently better.

Not inherently better but very different to who he dated previously hence the shock. I wasn’t expecting it. Perhaps if he had a habit of dating women 10-15 years older but he’s skipped that and gone for 3 decades older. I mean that’s a shock.

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Peacebwithu · 01/07/2026 22:58

mrsmiawallace3 · 01/07/2026 15:27

What is it was 66 year old Nigella Lawson he was seeing ?

Nigella is a perfect example of how women in their 60s can be absolutely gorgeous & sexy. Is it any wonder men of all ages can have their heads turned by older women 😂

JHound · 01/07/2026 22:46

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 17:54

I said that because he could easily be with a woman his own age or younger. But he has actively chosen to be with a woman almost 30 years older than him. So, it only increases my sense of shock.

But why do you say that? You seem to think him
being with a woman his own age is inherently better.

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 19:13

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 19:05

Shocked because of what though? What actually is triggering you?
that he genuinely finds an older woman sexually attractive?
That he finds this particular woman more appealing than other women even though they are younger?
That an older woman is sexual?

what actually is triggering you? Because you are revealing your belief that older is less attractive than younger regardless of all other attributes and characteristics.

that a woman who is over a certain age still being sexual disgusts you

that a woman looking older makes the whole idea that a younger man might’ve attracted to her almost unbelievable

why do you hold these beliefs? What other beliefs do you hold? That no woman would choose a 5’10” man if she had many 6’3” men interested in her?

that no man would choose a size 12 woman if he is surrounded by size 8 women fawning over him?

that no one would ever choose a disabled person if they had non disabled options?

can you honestly not believe that people are attracted to others for many many reasons.

It sounds like you’re the one who is triggered.

And you are putting a lot of words into my mouth and projecting.

This was never intended to be an ageist thread. But I am allowed to feel some shock at my long time friend suddenly sleeping with a woman almost 30 years older than him. That’s it, there’s no hate, ageism or jealousy involved.

I hope it lasts but, knowing my friend, it’s unlikely.

OP posts:
TransportNerd · 01/07/2026 19:07

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 18:52

Why is it a fetish ffs

The prevailing view on Mumsnet is that anyone with the merest hint of a libido is a disgusting pervert.

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 19:05

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 15:14

There is no problem and I’m not jealous.

Just shocked as it is a very large age gap.

Shocked because of what though? What actually is triggering you?
that he genuinely finds an older woman sexually attractive?
That he finds this particular woman more appealing than other women even though they are younger?
That an older woman is sexual?

what actually is triggering you? Because you are revealing your belief that older is less attractive than younger regardless of all other attributes and characteristics.

that a woman who is over a certain age still being sexual disgusts you

that a woman looking older makes the whole idea that a younger man might’ve attracted to her almost unbelievable

why do you hold these beliefs? What other beliefs do you hold? That no woman would choose a 5’10” man if she had many 6’3” men interested in her?

that no man would choose a size 12 woman if he is surrounded by size 8 women fawning over him?

that no one would ever choose a disabled person if they had non disabled options?

can you honestly not believe that people are attracted to others for many many reasons.

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 19:05

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 18:59

Why would she end up lonely? Because she didn’t desperately try to snag an older man to die with?
we don’t need a partner you know to be happy in old age.

I think you quoted the wrong person. I didn’t mention anything about the lady ending up lonely.

OP posts:
shockmethen · 01/07/2026 18:59

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 07:44

I’m not having a go at this lady at all and I said from the start that there’s nothing wrong with what they’re doing. But it’s a very large age gap and that’s what threw me and really surprised me.

Why would she end up lonely? Because she didn’t desperately try to snag an older man to die with?
we don’t need a partner you know to be happy in old age.

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 18:57

declutteredliving · 28/06/2026 23:42

@darksideofthetoon as with any large age gap relationship it becomes noticeable to the younger one usually in their late 40s (say 47/48) when their partner is pushing 70 and in this threads case 80! You’re still in your prime in your 40s which is definitely not the case for your partner. For young females this realisation comes too late once they are saddled with children and potentially their partner’s ill health. For younger males dating old ladies, there’s usually no kids involved and they are still young enough to move on when signs of old age can no longer be ignored and age is no longer just a number!

A friend of mine is in her late 40s with two teenage children pushing the kids father (late 60s) around in a wheelchair after numerous strokes. Not a great life for a 40 yo and their children - they have very restricted lives.

@darksideofthetoon I think your friend will be okay. He can just walk away when he’s either bored or there’s any sign off I’ll health as no kids together. It’s just a bit of fun for them both for a while.

You seem to think most people in their 60s are wheelchair bound. You need to get down and see who is looking hot at your local gym

shockmethen · 01/07/2026 18:52

EverythingGolden · 29/06/2026 07:19

He obviously has a sexual attraction to mature women which is a not particularly uncommon fetish, and her to younger men. Good for them.

Why is it a fetish ffs

darksideofthetoon · 01/07/2026 17:54

JHound · 01/07/2026 14:54

It’s odd but so are your comments too, to be honest. What relevance is him not being shy of female attention? I find an age gap of this size, weird on both sides but at least they’re both very much adults.

I said that because he could easily be with a woman his own age or younger. But he has actively chosen to be with a woman almost 30 years older than him. So, it only increases my sense of shock.

OP posts:
user1493379562 · 01/07/2026 17:51

I have a friend who is a cougar. She dates younger men. She is highly sexed and likes what her current boyfriend has to offer in bed. She is a professional , financially independent woman who works in health care. She has told me quite categorically she does not want a man the same age as her and all the health problems that come with age. She doesn't want him living with her and is quite content seeing him on her terms. She has grown up children and grandchildren and again only cares for the grandchildren when it suits her too! Horses for courses and all that. It is not what I would want. I have remarried but she doesn't want any of all that. I do worry she may end up a lonely old lady though.

JHound · 01/07/2026 15:57

SpaceRaccoon · 01/07/2026 15:31

So you'd like to see a law with an upper limit on age difference, for grown adults, because incest exists?

I have’t said anything about wanting laws with upper limits on age differences.
I was just saying that we do have laws already determining what consenting adults may do.

SpaceRaccoon · 01/07/2026 15:31

JHound · 01/07/2026 15:26

I mean we have them though. It’s why siblings can’t date.

So you'd like to see a law with an upper limit on age difference, for grown adults, because incest exists?

JHound · 01/07/2026 15:28

Ihateboris · 30/06/2026 17:55

As long as they get on, I don't see the issue. Brigette Macron is 24 years older than President Macron 🙈

Considering how it started that’s a 6 example!

mrsmiawallace3 · 01/07/2026 15:27

What is it was 66 year old Nigella Lawson he was seeing ?

JHound · 01/07/2026 15:26

SpaceRaccoon · 30/06/2026 17:05

Wanting laws about consenting adult relationships is absolutely wild.

I mean we have them though. It’s why siblings can’t date.

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