Stuart is a 60-something single gay man who hasn't dated in over 30 years, mostly because he's been taking care of an ailing parent in a challenging situation. He's eager to meet someone, and specifically wants to find a kindred soul that understands his unique situation - but he has no idea where to start, much less how to navigate the senior dating waters - which admittedly are very different from those we tread in during our 20s, 30s, and beyond.
Stuart would like suggestions on how to find someone as well as how to make time for a new relationship, and is eager to hear from other singles in similar life circumstances, especially those who identify as being gay or bisexual. I've got my own ideas for Stuart which I've posted (When Taking Care of an Ailing Parent, How Do You Date?), but I'd love to hear what you think.
Related: How To Meet a Guy (for Gay Men), Healthy Senior Sex
Reader Asks For Some Senior Dating Help originally appeared on About.com Dating on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 15:47:37.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
A few years ago, About.com's Guide to Instant Messaging started his own Readers' Choice Awards, where the most devoted IM fans nominated, and then voted, on a plethora of their favorite things, all related to Instant Messaging. Three years later, more than 100 About.com Guides are taking part - along with me, your Guide to Dating.
This is the second year that I'm running these awards, and I think I've got a great list of categories that covers many of the major online dating sites. There are quite a few to choose from - nominate someone in all categories, just one, or any combination that works for you - but I may have missed a few. Feel free to email me if you think I should add another next year. Also, please note that you'll have to log in to nominate, but you can nominate as many sites as you like, as many times as you like once you have.
Our categories for this year's Readers' Choice Awards for Dating, are:
Best Overall Dating Site
Best Free Dating Site
Best New Dating Site Started During 2011
Best Mobile Dating Site
Best Dating Site for Seniors
Best Matching Dating Site
Best Niche Dating Site (that doesn't fit into the other categories)
Best Dating App
Most Innovative Dating Site
Best Dating Blog
Best Dating Book Published in 2011
There are also a few other categories and sites with dating-related nomination categories:
Lesbian Life Readers' Choice Awards
Gay Life Readers' Choice Awards
Favorite Website for Meeting New Friends
Favorite TV Bromance
Best Chat Rooms
Best Social Site for Teens
There are however lots of other categories that aren't dating-related, so be sure to vote for your favorites. Nominations for the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards close February 15th, 2012, so stay tuned via RSS or the newsletter to hear which dating sites, books, blogs, and apps made the finals and eventually won.
Readers' Choice Award Nominations originally appeared on About.com Dating on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 21:11:29.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
I'm not a huge Valentine's Day person, I'll admit. But the year that the guy I was dating at the time made me both a gift (a photo book) and dinner (a luxurious all-out affair) is one that I'll never, ever forget. So if you're the crafty type who wants to make something special for your sweetie - or hey, even for yourself if you're single - then some of my fellow Guides here at About.com have the digs:
Valentine's Day Knitting Projects
My favorite? The 'hugs and kisses' XOXO scarf, which I've knit a few times myself.
Beaded Safety Pin Patterns
Maybe for the younger set, but still fun nonetheless.
DIY Sexy Valentine's Day Gifts
A whole host of fun, exciting and very sexy ideas to make for your partner.
Valentine's Day Quilts
Ok, you might not have time to make a whole quilt before February 14th, but maybe you do if you start now? Quilters, you'll have to chime in on this one.
Valentine's Day Soap Projects
Ooh, yummy. Ok I think I might have to try a few of these myself. Not for my partner. No, no. For myself! Hm, or maybe I'll try making these cocoa butter massage bars instead.
Fabric Heart Treat Bag
From our Guide to Sewing, a cute little bag to make that could hold something small but significant.
Valentine's Day Pottery Projects
A vase to hold those valentine's day flowers perhaps?
Valentine's Day Painting Projects
Wow, there's a huge list of ideas and projects to choose from here, most of which are perfect for beginners.
Valentine's Day Jewelry Making Projects
A three page list of jewelry projects, mostly for women, that are skewed from beginners to advanced levels.
Draw a Manga Valentine's Day Card
Unusual but perfect for the manga-lover in your life.
Crocheted Valentine's Day Arrangement
With a few flowers from your garden, this would make a lovely gift.
Free Bead Patterns for Valentine's Day
A handful of cute, small projects from the Guide to Beadwork.
Love Coupons
Inexpensive and easy enough for anyone to do, you can use the list of ideas presented here or make your own.
Make Your Own Valentine's Day Cards
So much more personal when you do it yourself, with the help of some ink and stamps.
Create a Romantic Presentation
Alright, so its not quite crafty, but it is DIY. Use Powerpoint to make your partner a Valentine's Day themed presentation with the tips and tricks suggested here.
Getting Crafty For Valentine's Day originally appeared on About.com Dating on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 01:02:11.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
Several websites have recently cropped up that cater to couples looking to meet other couples for friendship, according to The Times Argus and The Telegraph.
The concept is simple: couples wanting to meet other couples for social encounters (not adult dating or swinging, however - there are many sites that cater to that niche market already) can sign up, log in, and create a profile for the kind of couple they are looking for. Think of it as Friendster for couples, or as both of the websites mentioned above call it: couples dating.
I may have been single for a while, but I would never have thought of using a website when in a relationship to meet other couples for friendship, and was surprised to see how many already exist - although all of them are still building their user bases. Kupple already has more than 2500 couples listed, Couplets is offering free memberships to anyone who joins before the site hits 2500 members, Couplicity.com is offering a free six month membership to build its user base, and CouplesWorldWide.com offers free memberships to anyone who hosts a couples dating event in their community.
Do you think couples dating is the newest trend in social networking sites? And for those of you in a dating relationship, would you sign up at one of these couples dating sites to meet new people?
Couples Dating originally appeared on About.com Dating on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 00:06:52.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
If you or your sweetie have been dropping hints this year to go somewhere special this Valentine's Day, now is the time to plan and book your romantic getaway - or a staycation if the idea suits your pocketbook or work requirements more. Some ideas:
Valentines Day Getaway Packages in the Western US
Southwest US Valentine Getaways
Island Valentine Vacations
Valentines Day Cruises
And what about those of you staying home this Valentine's Day? I've got a host of cheap Valentine's Day ideas compiled already, as well as a list of romantic Valentines Day ideas. Some of my favorites:
Buy some massage oils or bars (Buy Direct) and make a night of working through a whole book devoted to the subject together, such as Sensual Massage Made Simple (Buy Direct).
Gather together the fixings for each of your favorite sundae toppings, and then have fun making the ultimate masterpiece for each other instead of doing it yourself.
Play a couples game together, letting the winner choose his or her prize beforehand. Perhaps breakfast in bed, or a fantasy lived out? Its your choice.
Ladies, there are a great many Valentine's Day costumes to dress up in, or both of you could dress up and play out some of your more original or unique daydreams with your partner. (For costume ideas, try the Halloween Costumes for Couples or Singles articles - some of the singles options are particular sexy and appropriate).
Are you going away this Valentine's Day, or stay at home and spend some quality time with the person you're dating?
Romantic Valentine's Day Travel or Romantic Staycation? originally appeared on About.com Dating on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 22:27:28.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
... or so says a study shared in the Journal of Marriage and Family, as reported by Science News. Almost all of the participants in the study (96%!) were found to have "strong distrust" of the opposite sex, yet when asked about their current relationship, they stated it was of a "trusting" nature. As well, the distrust of said men didn't stop these low income women from entering into romantic, long term relationships.
I have to say that reading this study made me pause, as did the friends I shared it with. The actual information didn't surprise any of us. Rather, the percentage of women is what was frightening. Do virtually all lower income women find men untrustworthy? And if so, why are they entering into relationships with essentially the same gender they have obvious unresolved issues with?
The study went on to say that because of this mismatched trust (feeling distrustful of men in general but stating that their current relationship was trustworthy) put the women who were a part of the study at further risk for unhealthy relationships, basically doing whatever they had to to give their partner the benefit of the doubt.
What do you think about the findings of this study? What would you suggest to low income moms, or the men who date them, in response to this study?
Related: When Not To Date
Low Income Mothers Don't Trust Men originally appeared on About.com Dating on Friday, January 20th, 2012 at 02:33:44.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
Rani asks: My best friend got me and her childhood friend to start talking, but he lives 6 hours away from me and I've never met him. He told her initially he's not looking for a girlfriend, which was cool because I figured we could be friends. We talked for hours on the phone. For 4 months we were close. Then he started saying things like, I can't wait to see you, you're so interesting, you're my best friend. That got me really excited, and I thought maybe he meant as more than just friends.
I'd planned to meet him at a wedding near his place as a friend of mine had invited me. I told him about it, but then on the advice of my friends started playing games and told him I wanted to meet him, and then told him I didn't... I was all over the map. And then I read He's Just Not That Into You, which got me really depressed. This girl in the book said, "I got empowered and I said I don't need to talk to you anymore," so that night I texted him confessing that I was into him and that it sucks when the guy your into doesn't like you back. For 2-3 weeks after that he didn't call.
I contacted him to see what was up because I got impatient, and he told me he was sorry for everything but just wanted to be friends. So we talked for two hours, and he said he might be coming with my brother to visit soon but, "Don't go all nuts on me if I don't". I told him I'm cool - and I want to SHOW him that I'm cool. I regret playing games with this guy and really want to see him more than anything in the world. Do you think I can get him back, or is he always going to think of me as the crazy girl?
...
Is He Always Going To Think Of Me As The Crazy Girl? originally appeared on About.com Dating on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 17:18:06.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
