[Dilbert San Diego]

I became active in on line dating as a 50 something, after my wife had passed away and I felt ready to do such activities.

Normally the first meeting was getting coffee, or meeting and taking a walk in the park.

Then, if there was mutual interest in more, then that’s when we would move on to dinner dates.

Yes, dinner dates can be expensive, especially for us older men who are seeking out women our own age, who in this age group, tend to have grown up expecting the man to pay.

You really need to meet in person, spend some time together, to see if there’s mutual interest. It should be done before you move on to formal dinner dates, in my opinion. And it can be done inexpensively, such as with a coffee date meeting.

I met numerous women through coffee dates before I met someone whom I became seriously interested in .

Can I add that among my criteria for someone, would be that she is conservative??? I rejected a few women out of hand (sorry ladies) because it was clear to me that their world view was liberal.

But, then again, as a long time participant in Free Republic, conservative values are important to me.

[Blue Jays]

Sounds like you went about it in a reasonable and practical manner.
Your deceased wife certainly wanted you to go on with life and be happy again.
Good for you for your very sensible approach. Good luck!

[T-Bird45]

I commend you for having standards on who you would consider for further relationship development. As for these hapless millenials, either some womb alarm clocks start clanging loudly or the future of their DNA line is in danger. If this approach had been the order of the day in the mid-70s, I can think of a couple of Gen Xers who would not be here today.

[avenir]

That’s good counsel. Thank you.