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to expect 51 year old DH not to look at 20 year olds?

266 replies

GrossedoutGertrude · 01/09/2026 00:50

Good relationship on the whole however DH does have a large ego that comes with him training pretty excessively in my opinion and often complimented on his physique

No kids together however he has a DD of 14 and my DS is 21.

I am 41 and he is 52 and looks his age face wise I would say but body much younger.

A girl in a coffee shop today walked past our table as I was paying and his eyes followed her all the way out of the door - he turned to watch her leave as he didn’t realise I could see him from where I was

She was wearing a very tight short black dress so I can see how you would look initially however the following her with his eyes grossed me out especially as she was about 20.

I’ve never seen him do this so obviously and we’ve been together 8 years.

OP posts:
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SummerAsh · 05/09/2026 09:32

Disturbia81 · 05/09/2026 09:14

That poster is definitely a man winding everyone up, you can tell by the provocative way they write.

FFS, so I’m now a man because I write “provocatively”?

Apparently women can’t think freely and have to follow the hive-mind… that’s far more misogynistic than anything I’ve written!

Disturbia81 · 05/09/2026 09:14

JillyComeLately · 05/09/2026 00:14

Your misogynistic post contradicted itself.
Probably a windup, if not, you really need to educate yourself.
Not worth discussing further.

That poster is definitely a man winding everyone up, you can tell by the provocative way they write.

SummerAsh · 05/09/2026 09:10

JillyComeLately · 05/09/2026 00:14

Your misogynistic post contradicted itself.
Probably a windup, if not, you really need to educate yourself.
Not worth discussing further.

Of course you’re saying “it’s not worth discussing further” because you realise that would mean actually thinking rather than engaging in lazy reflexive outrage.

All I was saying was that:
a) some young women choose to dress in ways that accentuate their sexual attractiveness to men (and women)
b) men will be attracted to that, irrespective of age… And that it’s reasonable for them to look discreetly but not gawp, and definitely not harass;
c) older women who are past their prime of youthful physical sexual attractiveness shouldn’t try and make out that men are perverts for finding younger women attractive.

It seems that some posters on this thread believe that it is misogynistic to recognise that younger women are generally more physically sexually attractive than older women. That’s not misogyny, it’s biology.

Aging is difficult for us all, but it’s stupid to pretend that the impact on our sexual attractiveness isn’t real, and that, whether we like it or not, men continue to find younger women sexually attractive as they age, and that men aren’t “perverted” for finding younger women attractive…

However, they also need to realise that they aren’t likely to be attractive to the younger women, and they shouldn’t pretend that they are…still less should they ogle and lech.

I’m not sure what’s so misogynistic about all that… it’s just reality.

JillyComeLately · 05/09/2026 00:14

SummerAsh · 04/09/2026 23:39

But that’s not what I wrote though, is it… it’s a grossly distorted paraphrase.

Your misogynistic post contradicted itself.
Probably a windup, if not, you really need to educate yourself.
Not worth discussing further.

SummerAsh · 04/09/2026 23:39

JillyComeLately · 04/09/2026 23:29

People dislike what's been written when it's obviously crap.
You put women in two categories. Young and desirable, who's sole purpose in looking attractive is to turn men on.
Or older less attractive women, jealous of younger females because they are tempting their men.

Men on the other hand can freely perv over any woman that takes their fancy....after all, the women invite it.🙄

But that’s not what I wrote though, is it… it’s a grossly distorted paraphrase.

JillyComeLately · 04/09/2026 23:29

SummerAsh · 04/09/2026 12:06

How is what I wrote there incorrect or misogynistic?

It’s frustrating how some people dislike what’s been written, but can’t actually really explain what’s actually wrong with it, so choose to try and rubbish it instead with a lazy accusation such as “misogyny” as though that wins the argument.

People dislike what's been written when it's obviously crap.
You put women in two categories. Young and desirable, who's sole purpose in looking attractive is to turn men on.
Or older less attractive women, jealous of younger females because they are tempting their men.

Men on the other hand can freely perv over any woman that takes their fancy....after all, the women invite it.🙄

SummerAsh · 04/09/2026 12:06

JillyComeLately · 03/09/2026 23:09

Your whole post smacks of misogyny.

How is what I wrote there incorrect or misogynistic?

It’s frustrating how some people dislike what’s been written, but can’t actually really explain what’s actually wrong with it, so choose to try and rubbish it instead with a lazy accusation such as “misogyny” as though that wins the argument.

JillyComeLately · 03/09/2026 23:09

SummerAsh · 02/09/2026 09:25

Let’s be real here…. A young, attractive woman goes out in public in revealing, figure-hugging clothes precisely because she wants to revel in her sexuality and be recognised as hot by the men and women she passes… she wants to be an object of desire.

Equally, she does NOT want to be made uncomfortable from being gawped at, crudely propositioned, catcalled or stalked. And she most definitely does not want to be assaulted! To be crystal clear as I suspect some posters will accuse me otherwise if i don’t: NO WOMAN IS ASKING TO BE RAPED, NO MATTER WHAT SHE’S WEARING!

Yes, she’d prefer that those admiring her sex appeal were just her female contemporaries and hot young men, but by consciously choosing to dress like that in public, as an adult (and 20 is definitely an adult for such purposes), she has decided that she is willing to expose herself to the lustful, admiring or jealous impulses of everyone she encounters!

It doesn’t matter how much older or less attractive women hate it, or try to shame men into suppressing their biological instincts, the vast majority of hetrosexual men - whether they are 20 or 80 - will find a young woman who has chosen to flaunt her body extremely attractive and will feel lust for her… young women know this, and dress like this anyway (at least those who choose to dress like that), knowing and even revelling in it.

As for the OP’s DH, he has merely responded to the woman in the way she invited…. He wasn’t intrusive, he didn’t intimidate her or make her feel uncomfortable (she was in his line of vision), and he certainly didn’t crudely proposition or inappropriately touch her! He was at fault in that he looked a little too long and wasn’t subtle enough so that the OP caught him… all whilst the young woman wasn’t adversely affected at all, and got kind of the attention she was inviting… In the grand scheme of things, he committed a pretty minor faux pas, and he’ll be more careful next time - no harm done unless the OP unduly escalates this out of jealousy.

Edited

Your whole post smacks of misogyny.

Pinkflamingo10 · 03/09/2026 23:05

🤮 creep

JillyComeLately · 03/09/2026 22:58

Disturbia81 · 02/09/2026 10:09

Late 40s and it’s worse for me now than ever, still waiting to be invisible from sleazy men.

40's and 50's I found I had more men gawping than even when I was young.
I am older now and my lifestyle is quieter, and I love it.
Maybe you will have to wait a good while longer to be free of unwanted attention.

allthiscarryon · 03/09/2026 10:59

GrossedoutGertrude · 01/09/2026 00:50

Good relationship on the whole however DH does have a large ego that comes with him training pretty excessively in my opinion and often complimented on his physique

No kids together however he has a DD of 14 and my DS is 21.

I am 41 and he is 52 and looks his age face wise I would say but body much younger.

A girl in a coffee shop today walked past our table as I was paying and his eyes followed her all the way out of the door - he turned to watch her leave as he didn’t realise I could see him from where I was

She was wearing a very tight short black dress so I can see how you would look initially however the following her with his eyes grossed me out especially as she was about 20.

I’ve never seen him do this so obviously and we’ve been together 8 years.

What a creep! I would never look at a 20 year old that way.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 10:58

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 10:25

That's not at all what I've said. And you're all over the place with what you're saying - you can't seem to keep your views straight.

Thanks for the time waste, but it's boring now.

My view is that you think a man eyeing up a woman is perverted and gross which I find to be absurd.

No man ever has gone up to a woman and attempted to interact with her without thoroughly checking her out first.
Ever.
And the same goes for women who approach men, too while we're on the topic.

Maybe the ones doing the eyeing up who don't approach think, 'I've got no chance here' so don't bother.

Nevertheless, every, and I do mean every attempt at interaction with a stranger that has led to a relationship has started with the person-man OR woman - thoroughly checking the person out they want to approach beforehand.

To suggest that this is perverted or gross is absurd. Absurd.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 10:25

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 10:18

Again its not leering, it's somebody looking at somebody else for a while and thinking, 'she's hot'.
Where do you get this idea that men are mentally masturbating if they look at a woman from more than a second from?

You really think people should only size each other up at singles nights or sex clubs? 😂

You obviously have a problem with normal sexual attraction behaviours between adult human beings and, of course, a clear case of not my Nigel.

The fact that you think sexual attraction and behaviour s from a man to a woman - or vice versa-is grossly perverted makes you the odd one out. Nobody else.

That's not at all what I've said. And you're all over the place with what you're saying - you can't seem to keep your views straight.

Thanks for the time waste, but it's boring now.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 10:18

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 10:10

Really? So you don't think it's disrespectful or rude to the person being leered at?

No, I don't want young, attractive men ogling me, and especially not in front of my mother, children, or husband. Why would I like it? I'd prefer it if everyone could just not ogle, thanks - except as I said, I suppose there are places where it's appropriate. Sex clubs? Singles' night at a club?

But I think the number of people who start a committed relationship thanks to one of them leering at the other in a public place is minuscule. Most people meet in a social situation and notice without leering that the other person looks attractive, and then they talk to them. Or maybe they even just talk to them, and in the process of that, notice that they're attractive, and they have chemistry.

Anyway, my DH isn't a grotty perv who ogles people, so I'm happy.

Again its not leering, it's somebody looking at somebody else for a while and thinking, 'she's hot'.
Where do you get this idea that men are mentally masturbating if they look at a woman from more than a second from?

You really think people should only size each other up at singles nights or sex clubs? 😂

You obviously have a problem with normal sexual attraction behaviours between adult human beings and, of course, a clear case of not my Nigel.

The fact that you think sexual attraction and behaviour s from a man to a woman - or vice versa-is grossly perverted makes you the odd one out. Nobody else.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 10:10

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 10:01

It's disrespectful and rude to the women they're with to blatantly stare at other women.

How the hell you think people meet each other without sizing each other up is beyond me.

And yes men and women do meet while going about their business all the time.

Should women have to have a chaperone and a gentleman who has an interest just pass a mere microsecond glance at the woman before he expresses his interest via writing to the chaperone or something? Fucking hilarious 😂 if so.

Nearly everybody in the UK gets together because somebody else has eyed them up and ogled at them for a longer than a microsecond.

The disgust comes from the fact that sometimes the eyeing up comes from a man that is considered too old, too poor or too ugly.

If he were young and hot, there'd be no such disgust.
It would be flattering.

Why don't you just admit it than pretending that every man who stares at a woman for longer than a microsecond is a gross pervert?

Really? So you don't think it's disrespectful or rude to the person being leered at?

No, I don't want young, attractive men ogling me, and especially not in front of my mother, children, or husband. Why would I like it? I'd prefer it if everyone could just not ogle, thanks - except as I said, I suppose there are places where it's appropriate. Sex clubs? Singles' night at a club?

But I think the number of people who start a committed relationship thanks to one of them leering at the other in a public place is minuscule. Most people meet in a social situation and notice without leering that the other person looks attractive, and then they talk to them. Or maybe they even just talk to them, and in the process of that, notice that they're attractive, and they have chemistry.

Anyway, my DH isn't a grotty perv who ogles people, so I'm happy.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 10:01

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:41

What's sad about my view that men shouldn't blatantly ogle? (Especially if a woman is with her bloody children, who notice it, for god's sake).

You admit that it's disrespectful and rude, so you clearly agree that men shouldn't do it - so really, while I have a stronger negative opinion of the men, you also think poorly of them.

Personally, I think it's disrespectful and rude because it's perverted (Cambridge: 'considered* strange and unpleasant by most people") and gross (Cambridge: "extremely *unpleasant") to blatantly sexually objectify women who are just going about their lives.

Why do you think it's disrespectful and rude? I'm curious.

It's disrespectful and rude to the women they're with to blatantly stare at other women.

How the hell you think people meet each other without sizing each other up is beyond me.

And yes men and women do meet while going about their business all the time.

Should women have to have a chaperone and a gentleman who has an interest just pass a mere microsecond glance at the woman before he expresses his interest via writing to the chaperone or something? Fucking hilarious 😂 if so.

Nearly everybody in the UK gets together because somebody else has eyed them up and ogled at them for a longer than a microsecond.

The disgust comes from the fact that sometimes the eyeing up comes from a man that is considered too old, too poor or too ugly.

If he were young and hot, there'd be no such disgust.
It would be flattering.

Why don't you just admit it than pretending that every man who stares at a woman for longer than a microsecond is a gross pervert?

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:41

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 09:32

I think it's 'sad' that you think perfectly normal sexual attraction from an adult man to an adult woman is 'pervy and gross' but there you go.

Disrespectful and rude to stare for too long? Sure. Pervy and gross like he's some despicable pervert. No.

What's sad about my view that men shouldn't blatantly ogle? (Especially if a woman is with her bloody children, who notice it, for god's sake).

You admit that it's disrespectful and rude, so you clearly agree that men shouldn't do it - so really, while I have a stronger negative opinion of the men, you also think poorly of them.

Personally, I think it's disrespectful and rude because it's perverted (Cambridge: 'considered* strange and unpleasant by most people") and gross (Cambridge: "extremely *unpleasant") to blatantly sexually objectify women who are just going about their lives.

Why do you think it's disrespectful and rude? I'm curious.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 09:32

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:24

If you say so.

I think it's a little sad that you're tying yourself into a pretzel trying to come up with other reasons that a man might stare at a slim woman's arse that aren't the most obvious one - that he finds it titillating to look at - when you've literally been arguing the opposite all thread - that men stare because they find the view titillating.

Nothing wrong with a glance/look - I entirely agree with what KoiTetra said just above - but having a long, blatant ogle is undeniably pervy and gross.

I think it's 'sad' that you think perfectly normal sexual attraction from an adult man to an adult woman is 'pervy and gross' but there you go.

Disrespectful and rude to stare for too long? Sure. Pervy and gross like he's some despicable pervert. No.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:24

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 09:18

It's not pervy.
There is nothing perverted about it.
Nothing at all perverted about a man admiring the figure of an adult female.

How you can even tell that he's staring at you for sexual titillation is beyond me.
Are you a mind reader?
Maybe he's just thinking that your arse is too big in those jeans or something.
Not that it is, that's just an example.

It's distasteful and disrespectful, that's all.

If you seriously think that a man-of whatever age- is an actual pervert for staring at a woman for longer than a microsecond then I think that's your problem and nobody else's.

That's a level of distrust I'm glad I don't have.

If you say so.

I think it's a little sad that you're tying yourself into a pretzel trying to come up with other reasons that a man might stare at a slim woman's arse that aren't the most obvious one - that he finds it titillating to look at - when you've literally been arguing the opposite all thread - that men stare because they find the view titillating.

Nothing wrong with a glance/look - I entirely agree with what KoiTetra said just above - but having a long, blatant ogle is undeniably pervy and gross.

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 09:18

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:01

I think that choosing to be obvious in the way you look at a woman, by having your head on a swivel, and making it clear to any onlookers that you are ogling, is distasteful, pervy behaviour. It's unnecessary.

What 'old man' thing? I'm a little confused.

When did I say only old men were gross for ogling women? No men should be ogling women - well, unless perhaps it's a singles' night at a club, and everyone is ogling everyone else!

It's not pervy.
There is nothing perverted about it.
Nothing at all perverted about a man admiring the figure of an adult female.

How you can even tell that he's staring at you for sexual titillation is beyond me.
Are you a mind reader?
Maybe he's just thinking that your arse is too big in those jeans or something.
Not that it is, that's just an example.

It's distasteful and disrespectful, that's all.

If you seriously think that a man-of whatever age- is an actual pervert for staring at a woman for longer than a microsecond then I think that's your problem and nobody else's.

That's a level of distrust I'm glad I don't have.

KoiTetra · 03/09/2026 09:13

LondonMum2026 · 02/09/2026 18:37

I had an ex who was like this all the time. Not just looking but head turning ogling. I found it disrespectful and we were early 30s.I bet it’s not the first time he’s done it. It’s like death by a thousand cuts to your self-esteem.

Been married for 18 yrs and in all that time I’ve never noticed a head turn - my DH might look but he doesn’t stare - I’m the same with younger men.

This, exactly this. As I said earlier, anyone who claims not to have had a quick glance at someone they find attractive is lying. The human brain is programmed to look at things you like, pretty views, nice cars (for some), nice art work, cute animals etc. An attractive human is no different, it is natural to look, but its about not letting that look turn into a stare / ogle / head turn etc.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 09:01

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 08:56

There's a heck of a difference between a man thinking 'she's nice' while looking at a woman and actively thinking that every man who looks at a woman for longer than a microsecond is a sex pest who is some kind of a pervert - as you seem to think, though.

I also don't get the old man thing here.
Surely it would be wrong for ALL men to look at women-including the young hot ones.

After all, surely ALL men should be reprimanded and the subject of criticism when openly ogling a woman.
Including the young hot ones.
Funnily enough nobody gives them a hard time.
Why do I think you don't, either? 🤔

But how will they learn if nobody tells them it's wrong?
They're going to carry on the habit into middle age and beyond.

So I trust from now on that should an attractive young man be staring at you for longer than a microsecond you will tell him off.
If you don't already do so. Which I doubt you do.

I think that choosing to be obvious in the way you look at a woman, by having your head on a swivel, and making it clear to any onlookers that you are ogling, is distasteful, pervy behaviour. It's unnecessary.

What 'old man' thing? I'm a little confused.

When did I say only old men were gross for ogling women? No men should be ogling women - well, unless perhaps it's a singles' night at a club, and everyone is ogling everyone else!

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 08:56

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 08:42

I live in a small town that isn't exactly packed with people, so when I'm the only person in some old bloke's eye line in the car park, and my mother tells me, "That man was blatantly staring at your bottom while you were putting the trolley away" in a disgruntled tone, it's pretty obvious he was both staring at me, and not thinking pure thoughts.

I find it strange that you think it's so unlikely that a man might stare at a woman in a lecherous way, when you've been arguing all thread that it's normal and common for men to notice and look at women, including your DH.

There's a heck of a difference between a man thinking 'she's nice' while looking at a woman and actively thinking that every man who looks at a woman for longer than a microsecond is a sex pest who is some kind of a pervert - as you seem to think, though.

I also don't get the old man thing here.
Surely it would be wrong for ALL men to look at women-including the young hot ones.

After all, surely ALL men should be reprimanded and the subject of criticism when openly ogling a woman.
Including the young hot ones.
Funnily enough nobody gives them a hard time.
Why do I think you don't, either? 🤔

But how will they learn if nobody tells them it's wrong?
They're going to carry on the habit into middle age and beyond.

So I trust from now on that should an attractive young man be staring at you for longer than a microsecond you will tell him off.
If you don't already do so. Which I doubt you do.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 08:42

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 07:38

How does she know they're staring at her?
Even if they are, how does she know these thoughts are lecherous?

Can she read their minds?
It's a mix of main character syndrome and a bit of paranoia it really is.

I live in a small town that isn't exactly packed with people, so when I'm the only person in some old bloke's eye line in the car park, and my mother tells me, "That man was blatantly staring at your bottom while you were putting the trolley away" in a disgruntled tone, it's pretty obvious he was both staring at me, and not thinking pure thoughts.

I find it strange that you think it's so unlikely that a man might stare at a woman in a lecherous way, when you've been arguing all thread that it's normal and common for men to notice and look at women, including your DH.

OtterlyAstounding · 03/09/2026 08:35

TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 07:19

How the heck do you know they're staring at you and not into space?

I agree that following you specifically as you're the only woman in the room, even then you could be in their line of site and they're looking at something else, may be different but just staring?

I went into a pub last night where I'd knew there'd be a mix of young females and older and young men.
I knew that at a specific time a group of young women would come in.

I made a point of looking at the guys.
Yes there were quick glances their way, no ogling for ages, though.

A lot of this is all men are looking at me is, I think, centre of the universe main character syndrome coupled with a degree of paranoia.

Why might I ask do you think every man is interested in you?

Because they are apparently quite obviously following me with their eyes, and turning to follow me while staring at my arse - and I don't think it, the people I'm with do. Usually my DH or my mother, who I frequently go shopping with - I'm oblivious until they point out in the car park, or grocery shop that while I was putting the trolley away, or fetching something off a shelf, some old man was ogling me (not realising I was with someone).

I think it's amusing that you think I said 'all men look at me' - I worry about your reading comprehension. I said I often get looks from older men - it's certainly not all men, or all the time, but about once a month some old bloke (probably old enough to be my father) will leer at me with the sort of blatant, pervy look that could be seen from space.

God knows why - I'm entirely ordinary in every regard. About the only things that are noticeable are that I'm tall and have a good figure, but that's hardly stunning, is it?