Nowadays, technology has made dating much easier that even Baby Boomer men can utilize it to reenter the dating game. They can also have many options, from Baby Boomer women to the much younger yet legally allowed Gen Z ladies. But with that age comes the dating rust. And so, Baby Boomer men must take note of the 3 crucial topics to be avoided on the first date.
What People Are Considered Baby Boomers
First things first, who are the Baby Boomers? This generation refers to the people who were born right after the end of World War 2, which is 1946, to the dawn of the modern era, which is 1964. This means that these people, as of 2024, are as young as a 60-year-old or as old as 78-year-old. The term is derived from the rapid increase of birth rate after the global war.
If Baby Boomers enter dating, the youngest they can pursue is an 18-year-old. In most countries, that is the minimum legal age. But as mentioned, with high-tech devices, Baby Boomer men can pursue women that are age-appropriate.
Additionally, Baby Boomer women can now have greater freedom in choosing life companions compared to their circumstances before. This means that these women are as active as their male counterparts when it comes to dating. Because of this, there is a great possibility that a 78-year-old man can score a date with a 78-year-old woman.
There are many reasons why Baby Boomer men consider dating. The most common reason is that they are now single. Their previous partners are either dead or separated from them. This can be a challenge because of the many years they are out of the dating scene. The sudden entry to the dating pool might be worrisome but with guidance, things can get smoother.
What Topics Should Be Avoided On First Date
Now that Baby Boomer men have entered the dating sites, they must be conscious of certain topics during the first date. The accumulated knowledge and lack of dating experience due to being previously partnered can hinder them in building real connection with prospects. To help them with that, here are the top 3 topics that must be avoided:
1. Past Relationships
Obviously, a Baby Boomer has many experiences in life and those include relationships. Knowing that the person is back to dating, he must have past relationships that have ended recently. Some of these relationships have concrete proofs such as offspring. But take note, this person is starting a new chapter in life with someone.
And also, it is worth noting that someone is also looking for the same purpose. Therefore, it can be rude to bring out all the past to a person you want to spend time with in the present. There is no harm in opening up if he is widowed or divorced. The tone of how he makes the revelations can either make or break the deal.
If he is in a tight spot and has to reveal past relationships, make it so that there is no malice or ill-intent in the manner of speaking. Avoid serious breakdowns and outbursts. The best topic to divert from there is to discuss places and go further by narrating stories associated with a certain place.
2. Health
Health is a very sensitive topic for Baby Boomers. It is rare to find 60-year-old with little health issues. Furthermore, this topic not only involves the issues but also the appearances as well. If Baby Boomer men talk about health with fellow Baby Boomer women, then there can be many topics to relate with.
However, when speaking to Millennial women and younger, talking about health can be a heavy subject to them. This opens expectations that they, the younger women, will experience such issues. Moreover, topics such as appearance can greatly worry them and might think that the Baby Boomer men can look for somebody else younger if things don’t work out with them.
As a diversion, he can take the subject of health to a conversation about hobbies. He can talk about exercising first, then proceed to sports or adventures, and then branch out to other hobbies like music and arts. With this pattern, he can negate the anxieties and turn it into enthusiasm.
3. Beliefs
Beliefs are always the main course of a serious conversation. Be it political or religious, there are so many things to argue or discuss. Unfortunately, beliefs are a no-no topic on the first date. Remember that first dates are mostly about building the right impression.
Discussing political and religious beliefs opens a lot about one person. The listener can see the speaker’s passion, mindset, and even behavior. They can be assumptions, but depending on how the topic is discussed, they can be solid clues for the listener.
Avoiding this topic doesn’t mean concealing one’s personality. It is more on aiming away from misinterpretation due to the lack of familiarity. After all, it is just the first date. But if talking about beliefs is unavoidable, he can be more of the listener instead even though he obviously has more wisdom and experiences.
Conclusion
Even though the aforementioned topics must be avoided during the first date, what matters most is how a situation can be handled accordingly. Diversion is the best and safest way to stir away from the taboo topics. Sprinkled with charm and natural smoothness, the Baby Boomer is now ready for the next chapter.
