OLD Would you tell a fib?

[DatingFail]

I've given online dating a try recently. I'm far from impressed. Pervy messages from dodgy looking men who look way older than their profile states.
My preferences are set to people around my own age (mid 40's). I had hoped that men in my age bracket would be more mature and not just looking for a quick bang. I was wrong!

I dont want to change my age bracket, but i'm wondering if my age might be offputting to some men if they're slightly younger than me, I look younger than I am, could probably get away with mid 30's. If they're all just as immature anyway, i'd prefer to chat to someone who doesn't look like a nasty man i'd avoid at bus stops.

I realise this may sound shallow, i'm absolutely not, i'm not asking for model looks, just a nice friendly face and a normal personality somewhere between 35-55. Would it be terrible to knock a few years off my age with the aim of attracting someone who isn't a dirty old man? I know lying isn't the way to go, it's not a good start and I can't bear liars myself so really it would go against everything I believe in but i'm fed up with message after message from sleazy guys. It's all I seem to attract, my pictures aren't sexy or revealing, so that's not the problem.

Or am I in denial and that's all there is left?

No don’t lie.

I understand the creepy messages. It seems at a certain age, some think OLD is a sweetie shop.

I have been on it a few years. Met a few diamonds. Currently going on a second date with a guy who seems genuine and a gentleman. It’s thrown me as I normally meet guys that have a few issues

Don't lie about your age, just adjust your filters. In my mid-40s, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest from younger guys. Admittedly lots of men are just after a shag but that's true of any age group. You have to wade through the rubbish to find the few diamonds.

Don't lie about your age. Two men I dated lied about their age but told me before we met. I still met them but always felt a bit icky about the lies. Being 35 is very different to being 45, and it isn't about looks. It is about where you are in your life - at 35 having kids or young kids is still a possibility and so on.

And there are plenty of people who look younger or older than their age. I'm early 50s and have friends my age who look younger than some 40 year old friends and some who look older. Bad habits like smoking and sunbathing show a lot more in 40+ faces.