Singles Dating Over 40

Relationships Over 40 - First Impressions

Naturally, I believe in online relationships. You can meet people you should have met, but whose paths you would never have crossed. You can get information on perfect strangers which might take you weeks, maybe months, to accumulate, just by reading a profile and looking at PerfectMatch.com's Duet® Analysis Profile, a revolutionary 360º presentation of its members.

Still, as we all know, there are a few things learned face to face, which is why we all worry about what will happen at the first meeting. The coffee, drink, walk, etc., finally comes, usually after weeks of exchanging emails and phone calls. And then…it is often too quickly and abruptly over. I think that's a flaw in the way a lot of people use the system.

Don't You Need a Playmate?

No, I'm not referring to the Playboy kind with a bunny tail. And, I don't mean a playmate like your best friend in third grade. I mean someone to DO things with, starting this summer! Someone with whom you can go to concerts, swim, travel and/or just talk over the day's event over a terrific glass of wine. This playmate is someone who can help start your collective memories and be a real joy in your life.

I think with all the earnest and serious talk about finding a soul mate, we sometimes forget one of the most important things we can do for ourselves - play, widely defined, of course. Play is the valuable time-off we have to explore life and its greatness. It's the adventure which quickens our heartbeat, the movie which makes us think what life is about or the exploration of a new store with quirky or fabulous things. While we may love our work - in some cases tolerate it - it's rarely lighthearted. Everything counts, and while you can have fun at work, it's rarely carefree.

Ask Dr. Pepper Schwartz

Question on online dating etiquette
Dear Doc, I am a 44-year-old man. I've been on a number of online dating services for almost three years. I constantly read women want a man who is honest and knows how to treat a woman. I am and I do. However, these same women who write they want a man who knows how to treat a woman, do not know how to treat a man. I'm speaking specifically about them not having the courtesy to return a well written, thoughtful email. Ideas?