Does your 'gaze' age with you? (Really this one's for the over 30s)

Hmm, my gaze has definitely got older but also broader. I've never fancied anyone under 20, but the cut-off point has extended from about 30 (from when I was a teenager) to around 50 (now I'm nearly 39). I would still consider a 20 year old for a shag, but would prefer someone older for a relationship. Assuming of course that I wasn't married with a young baby, which I am, so it's all just academic.

Mind you, a shag with a 20 year old? I could have some fun with that!

For meeting of minds, definitely those around my age group (+/- 5 years). But I left the singles market before the men my age become out-of-shape. I really don't know how I would feel physically about that in a new man.

I'll say 3 words to you, HB - Arthur's laryngeal prominence

'Nuff said

oh and also I used to find chest hair and beards absolutely repulsive. Whereas now, I find both quite sexy.

Oh dear.

I'm slightly in shock about that Maisie! I would definitely rather do Arthur than Uther. Whereas Merlin, who is the same age as Arthur or thereabouts, just looks like a little boy to me.

I agree with Sakura, didn't really have any gaze when I was younger, but have developed one now. With the exception of Arthur and Caspian (and any other gorgeous random under 30 year who hasn't been mentioned yet who I've forgotten about), I also don't think I fancy many men under about 30 ish (I'm 44) but lots of men of my own age whom I meet, tend to be repulsive, overweight and out of shape and physically simply not in the league fo most of the women of my age.

I went out last night with a couple of friends for NYE and we all got hit on by young men (unfortunately just that little bit too young) and all the women there who were round about our age were beautiful, well-dressed, well-groomed, while the men were all just not very inspiring. In theory I am more attracted to men my age ish - but in practice, unless they look like Take That, Johnny Depp, George Clooney or any other middle aged decent looking bloke I actually don't fancy them. Not because of age, but because they're out of shape.

Oh God, I'm a body fascist, aren't I?

I still look at men in their 20s (ie half my age), but only in a vague sort of "mmmm, nice" kind of way - the thought of actually having a relationship with them makes me laugh as I can't imagine having anything in common with them (that and the fact that I'm married with 3 DCs, of course..). I do now find myself looking at older men and also thinking "mmmm, nice" - DD is still in shock at me fancying Uther/Anthony Head and not Arthur

I used to be most interested in men my age. Since I passed 25 (some time ago) I have found a broader spectrum of men attractive, from 5 years younger, to 15 years older.

my son will be 20 next year - I am 43 and NO WAY would i fancy an under 35 say....

I like my men well cooked ,despite the fact I am told i don't look my age

This is interesting. Never really thought about it before, but my gaze has definitely grown up as I have. When I was younger, a man of even a couple of years younger would have been unappealing though, whereas now, up to five years younger would be fine!

My gaze definitely rests on the 40+'s, being very nearly 45 (sob, how the hell did that happen??) for me, the common denominator for attraction are shared experiences which only someone of my age could offer. As I've got older, the pretty fresh young faces just don't do it for me...in fact they probably never did.

Thanks to clever make-up and very dim lighting, over the last few single months a couple of 20 somethings have wandered over expressing an interest, but as a mum of a ds who's hitting the big 18 soon, my only interest in them, if any, would be to offer to polish their school shoes and read them a bed-time story.

But equally I don't get what interest they would have in a older women, the rather cynical side of me thinks that they're thinking, 'bingo..divorced and desperate'

(No Lenin, that's being in love!!)

I used to be more concerned with "chemistry" and over-all aura/personality when I was younger but as I get older I just gaze at the raw material: the looks.
I think the reason is that when I was younger I was so preoccupied with being gazed at [as all young women are] that my own gaze almost became insignificant IYSWIM

Now I run a critical eye over men, size them up in ways I never had the guts to do before, when I was too concerned about what they thought of me

I'm 33. I can't look at a male under 25 without thinking about how daft they probably are, no matter how pretty which is rather prejudiced of me, isn't it?

Oh god NKOTB and Bros. My sister really liked them, and I ribbed her mercilessly.

Alright then...

Oooh and BROS!

I suspect they were there mrsdmitri, we just didn't fancy them...

ISNT I did, but John Taylor (swoons) was in his mid 20's (born 1960 iirc, making him 11 years older than me!)

Boy bands in the 80's were man bands compared to the kiddies you get now!

Lovepink I have to say that I lose interest in attractive people if they don't match that with their personality, but my longest and most abiding 'crushes' tend to be on people where I haven't initially thought they were attractive but have really liked them. The attraction to their looks (quirky or not) has grown from a fascination with their personality. My 'namesake' is one of those. I was a bit 'meh' when I first saw him acting, but the more I learned about him, and the more I saw interviews, the more attractive I found him. Now I can't understand why everyone else doesn't see what I see (well apart from all his fans and his equally awesome wife)

Limahl! Hahaha, no, surely not?

Just googled beiber he looks about 12.

No thanks

mrsdmitri in the 80s you could have swooned over wham, duran duran, adam ant (phwoar) or even limahl (ahem ).

Ben Barnes is a very respectable 29.

I don't know about 'gaze' but I prefer to spend time and conversation with men over the age of 40/45. Younger men always seem so childish and self-obsessed (well the ones I talk to have anyway). I would choose personality, sense of humour, manners etc over looks any day.

IDK. When I was a teenager I liked over 20's (I can't think of anyone who was my own age. Were there boybands in the 80's?) Now I'm almost 40 I still like over 20's

I don't think I had an upper age limit then or now.

That's in the privacy of my head though. If I was single, I doubt if I'd have the confidence to flirt-with-intent with anyone significantly younger than me, and I think I'd rather be with a contemporary or older for an actual relationship.

I'm 38 and have a bit of a sad crush on Prince Caspian - I have no idea how old he is (too scared to look it up )