eek - date with man 22 years younger than me!

[babycourgette]

I've been asked out for a drink by a guy at work tomorrow evening - he's 26 and I'm 48.

I can pass for about 10 years younger but he knows how old I am.

He's gorgeous and there's always been an attraction between us but I never thought anything would come of it because of the age gap. Anyway, I'm recently single and not looking for a serious relationship. I suppose the only risk is that I fall for him big style as he's clearly not long term relationship material.

Biggest age gap I've experienced before was 12 years younger and I thought that was a lot!

[zippey]

Go for it! Whether thats a relationship, sex or a date. No harm in having a bit of fun. A lot of relationships are with people you work with.

[Wrapdress]

I'm jealous! If the work thing isn't an issue, I would go for it.

[ravenAK]

I think I'd run the worst case/most embarrassing scenario possible (from a work POV) through my head - ie. you have a brief fling, & he then bounces around at work gleefully telling anyone who'll listen how he added you as a notch to his bedpost.

If this scenario would actually embarrass you in & of itself; don't go there.
If you're his boss/linemanger or he might conceivably at some point be yours; no.

If neither of the above apply, I'd say go for it. Just don't go taking it too seriously to be going on with, & be ready to laugh it off if/when needful.

[MummyBeerest]

The work thing would throw me off too.

However, MadBusLady makes a compelling argument.

It's just drinks! Have fun!

[GuybrushThreepwoodMP]

WTF? She would lack gravitas? It depends on how professional she wants to look?
Plenty of professional men have much younger partners and it doesn't immediately halt their career progression. If the OP works in such a sexist environment, I'd suggest a change in career anyway.
Otherwise she will look as professional as she is and her personal life will have nothing to do with it.

[livingzuid]

Lawd I saw this and thought you go girl! It's just a drink, you're not about to go from that to progressing down the aisle and sounds like a fun evening. And if a night of great sex comes about then so what. People meet each other through work all the time. People go for drinks after work all the time. It's no big deal. Age gap is irrelevant, you're two adults.

You're a grown woman and you know what you're comfortable with doing and what you aren't comfortable with. I'd say go for it and let us know how you get on :)

My husband's office is a den of iniquity in comparison to your story and yet people still get the job done (he does not partake just to clarify ).

[PastPerfect]

Like others the work thing would put me off - but you know your company and if it's not going to be an issue at work I'd go for it actually I wouldn't because the idea of getting naked in front of a fit 26 year old makes me want to weep, but in theory...

[babycourgette]

Good to see some more positive messages have appeared overnight

I was always going to do it - go for a drink that is.

My workplace isn't at all sexist - lesbian CEO, lots of women in management roles. If we were to sleep together and he went around bragging about it I think it would reflect more badly on him for being immature. I think people would think 'good for her'. I'm confident enough to handle that.

I'd also hope that the bragging would be down to me being hot rather than old .

I don't think he'd do that anyway, he is a grown up. My step son is 25 and my best friend's son is 26 and he's not like them at all. Meeting someone when they're an adult is also very different to having known then since they were a little boy - that's eeeeew!

Re. getting naked in front of a fit 26 year old - fortunately I'm basically the same shape and size I was in my 20's (tall and slim) but obviously after three kids some things are not quite the same. Went through a bit of angst before DTD with the 12 years younger guy but afterwards realised men just don't notice all the things we do and went on to have the best sex of my life (so far at least).

Anyway, it's not a given that I'm going to sleep with him even if he is young, gorgeous and happens to want me - I'm not going to be a push over. Definitely not on a first date.

[pinkflaming0]

Had a lovely evening

Slightly tricky dynamic to start with but once I'd supressed the urge to take charge and mother him and I let him get on with it it was (better than) fine.

Going with the flow. Will be seeing each other again. It's not a secret but won't be making it obvious at work either.

No nakedness (yet).

[LottieJenkins]

OP have you name changed???

[TetrisBlock]

Good for you op. I'm 27 and will say that a lot of the men I know of my own age starting to mature into decent adults about now. Although some I could mention....

Hope the second date goes well!

[SoftKittyWarmKitty]

How did it go, OP?

[RedFocus]

So many good reasons why this could go horribly wrong I'm afraid op. Very flattering but totally mad.

[MadBusLady]

Only just seen the name change, glad it went well

[honeybunny14]

Go for it ! Hope you have fun op :-)