My teenage daughter had her first official date a week ago and I was amused by the process building up to the actual ‘date’ itself.  It got me to reflecting back on my own experiences but when I showed my original draft to staff I was immediately told that my memory was not keen.  So I asked a few Vivanista members (or their daughters) to provide their input on dating through the decades.  What follows includes not only my ideas but that of a variety of members:

TEENS: There seems to be an amazing amount of angst that goes into every date. His physical appearance is the most important attribute although it helps if he’s nice.

PONDERINGS:

· Will he text her back?

· Is he going to ask her to the Prom?

· Is he cool enough?

20’s: Your Twenties are a hectic yet fun roller coaster. Not knowing where you will be tomorrow or what to expect, this is the time for testing the waters and figuring out what works and what you want. Filled with dating, sex, love, expectations, confusion, the real world, friends, opportunity and emotion.

PONDERINGS:

· Will he ever mature/ grow up?

· Will he pick up the tab?

· Will he make the first move?

· Did he bring condoms?

30’s: Thirties is about timing and commitment. You are not as carefree and you are more responsible in life. You are committed to your career, your friends, family, and charities and hopefully a partner and you cannot waste time with a guy who is just so-so. An uncertain relationship no longer needs to last a year – now you end it in a month because your time is valuable. On the bright side, in your thirties you are more comfortable and confident in yourself – so it is the right time to meet someone.

PONDERINGS:

-    Will he be on time?

-    If you are ready to commit, is he ready?

-    Does he want kids?

-    Is he the one?

FORTIES: This is total luggage time. On the one hand there have been cases where a woman who hasn’t been married by this age can sometimes get a bit annoyed by that fact. In rare occasions, she takes it out on men. All men. On the other hand some previously married women wonder what it is like to kiss again on a date.

PONDERINGS:

· If he’s single, what’s wrong with him?

· Is he obsessed with golf?

· Does he like small dogs?

· Is his ex-wife a stalker?

· Will his kids approve?

50’s: This is the Who Cares decade; dating is much more about the journey than any end game. She already has her friends, children (or else isn’t going to have any at all) and has established a lifestyle she can live with.

PONDERINGS:

· Knowing she has tickets for the Opening Gala, she wonders if he owns a tux.

· She wonders what is on his mind? Does he still have one?

· Can’t a date just be a date rather than an interview?

· Is going out on a date more interesting than watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn?

If you have any additional ponderings, please let us know!

[Photo from cindy47452 via Flickr]