Latest news with #flirtation
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘I am a woman in my mid 60s and I'm having fun with a flirtatious man, but I'm worried he might want sex'
Question I am a woman in my mid 60s and have been volunteering for some time with a historical site. I have loved it and found like-minded people to mix with, and it has been a delight. However, now there is a man, who also volunteers with the group, and he seems to be interested in me. He is in his late 60s and his wife died about eight years ago. He has a wild eye and, from what I can see, he has always been dating someone in our group. He invited me into a WhatsApp conversation, and I must say it's been flirtatious and fun, but what if he expects more? Honestly, the body preparation involved for women at my age to consider actual sex with someone is more than beyond the effort I am prepared to make. The trimming of pubic hair and exposure of my parts to another human being is quite simply impossible. However, I'm liking being found attractive and it's entertaining to put on nice clothes and for someone to notice and comment. He is also cute in a way, but I know better than to think that I am the love of his life. Weirdly, this is really occupying my thoughts and I'm less contented, but more excited, than I have been for quite some time. READ MORE Answer Really, you are not at the stage of having a problem yet. You are enjoying the flirtation and attention and so far there is no decision to be made. It is a lovely thing to find that you are attracted to and desired by another human being, and this is a delight that is worth savouring. You seem to be very clear that you are not exposing yourself to any physical intimacy, and so all that might need to happen at this stage is that, at an appropriate time, you voice that and make sure that you are heard. However, it might be that this particular no-go area is one that needs another look and may be worth reflecting on. Many women in their later life report that they are looking for companionship and not sexual intimacy, and this is a legitimate ask. Equally so, many more report excellent sexual satisfaction and there is no reason that this must be off the cards for you. With age, there is some hope that the body scrutiny of younger ages might fade to be replaced with a sense of the body's right to pleasure without criticism. Indeed, many simple pleasures can be had without intercourse and, if there is enough safety and comfort, some long lingering physical engagement can be wonderful. Think of the heavy petting of the pre-contraception days and how good it was to delay gratification – yes, there was plenty of frustration too, but sex was less performance-based and wooing could go on for weeks, if not months. Your concern that your body will not be up to scratch is something that you could address This man too might also be experiencing some sexual difficulties (perhaps this is why he is going through so many other dates) and this would be within the normal scope of the body slowing down. With the help of medication this can in many cases be addressed, but some men might find it counter to their health (if they have certain conditions) to take these medications and so struggle with intimacy also. In any case, for those in later life seeking relationships and intimacy, it probably involves some honesty, some light-heartedness and a gung-ho attitude. As long as you remain clear-headed, you should be able to enjoy your current flirtation and perhaps move it into something a little more pleasurable. When and if it starts to become heavy or demanding, then you can push the pause button and explain why you need to take a break. At this age, you should not need to take on someone else's emotions and in fact you can trust that they have managed life well enough not to need you to carry their needs or worries for them. This will free you up to take pleasure where you find it and, hopefully, wallow in it a little. Your concern that your body will not be up to scratch is something that you could address. Comparing it with younger or more nubile bodies is unfair and will close it down to pleasure. Buffing and dehairing it may also further your self-consciousness so consider doing nothing at all and instead focus on what your body enjoys and likes. This is something that may require time, investigation and even a partner in order to arrive at success. You seem poised at discovering that your body continues to express desire and, whether you decide to give this man a chance to awaken it or not, it might be fun to open up and expand your horizons. You might enjoy reading A Round-heeled Woman by Jane Juska about late-life adventures in sex and romance. To send your question to Trish Murphy, fill in the form below, click here or email tellmeaboutit@ .form-group {width:100% !important;}
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Air passengers say airport lounges are the best places for 'meet-cutes'
It's no surprise that more than a few relationships have taken off at airports - time to kill can easily lead to lingering glances, and casual conversations with strangers. On TikTok, there's plenty of examples of travellers who say they've enjoyed a pre-flight flirtation while waiting to board - and even others who say they've found the loves of their lives via a meet-cute in transit. One TikTok user @thequeenofmedia, seen strolling through an airport, posted recently: 'God forbid you miss your flight because you made your connection with a cutie in the airport VIP lounge.' While those travelling cattle class might find it trickier to make a meaningful connection amongst the masses - with many glued to their devices, airport lounges are, say experts, the perfect place for Cupid to strike. Relaxed, exclusive and with plenty of opportunity for interaction thanks to a free bar and selection of snacks, some singletons have even suggested that dating agencies should set up lounges specifically for those flying solo. One person looking for love posed the question on TikTok: 'Idea: an airport lounge but specifically for single people travelling. 'You pay a fee to enter or a yearly membership fee and there's free drinks and foods like other airport lounges but you go in to mingle and meet people.' Another wltm, @travelingtayler, filmed herself walking through an airport terminal mouthing the words: 'I'm looking for a man who travels, has pre-check lounge access, [and a] remote job'. New dating app Wingle puts singles looking to mingle at 30,000 feet in touch and those behind it say it's no surprise that daters, exhausted by swiping on dating apps, are looking for love offline. Founder Iñigo Merino, 30, told the New York Times this week: 'There's so much digital burnout, of just being constantly online. We're bombarded. 'And then there's this love-hate relationship we have with dating apps.' How does his app which promises to give organic airport connections a helping hand work? The app connects travellers with passengers who are also on the app and share the same flight number. When the flight is airborne, passengers can then chat via the app, which doesn't require the internet - but does ask passengers to keep on their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology on while in the air. A Reddit sub-thread on the subject of meeting a potential partner at the airport saw one person suggest that chance encounters were simply how people met prior to the digital age. Responding to a post from a user who'd had a deep connection with a fellow traveller while waiting for a flight, they wrote: 'This is literally how people would meet before cellphones and dating networks people, vibe with them and see where it goes.' Another added: 'Better to meet people organically like that in the wild instead of on a dating app…GO FOR IT, SISTER!' On Reddit, a thread that detailed a fledgling romance between two airport lounge passengers was highly encouraged - with many saying such chance encounters have been happening since the beginning of time While one person penned: 'This is how relationships have started since the beginning of time!' Dr Amanda Hanson, aka @midlifemuse on TikTok, revealed how she met her future husband after looking up while waiting for her plane. She explained in a 2023 podcast how she looking up at the right moment change her life, saying: 'I was going for the second flight of my entire life, to look at graduate schools in Chicago. 'I had a friend drop me off [at the airport]...so he comes to the gate with me and we're hanging out at the gate before the flight. At one point I happened to look over and there's someone leaned up against the wall reading the newspaper. She continued: 'At the same time that I happened to scan over, the newspaper happened to go down and this guy was just like looking around and we locked eyes and it was this moment of "oh wow"' The man 'assumed' her friend was her boyfriend but all was not lost - the couple ended up seated next to each other on the plane - and romance blossomed.
