From Connection to Loneliness: The Shift in Dating Culture

Lets discuss, the currect state of the dating world folks. First off the younger crowd has the advantage of course, due to their youthfullness. As we age and marry and the divorce of become widows and widowers things change.

The dating world or scene as I call it is now all online apps, like Match, Our Time, Bumble bee and such. As a senior at 69, and heading todard 70, dating is non-exsistant for me. I tired dating apps and ran into the problems many do not get or understand. 1) Dating apps are not free for anyone, they cost money to join and search. 2) Half of the people on them, do not use their current picture and doll up their profile to attract others anyway. 3) Distances come into effect, and you either drive or you don’t. 4) who wants to drive for an hour or more to meet someone, and then have to do so, everytime you see them. Gas prices and time and wear and tear on your vehicle then come into the process too.4) People tend to make up profiles that are not realistic and they act when you meet them, you don’t get the real person. I have looked at all of the dating apps believe me, from Zoosk, to Match, to Our Time and Senior sites too. What I found is, simple, it’s like a game is beimg played and it is not one for really meeting someone.

When I grew up, you meet your mate or spouse at events, dances,outside playing when young or in school. Or if you went to a park or playground, also. Today these things do not exist anymore. They are no Singles Dances, there are no just talking to anyone you meet, people judge far too fast. So what does one do, when you reach my age? I am 69 going on 70 now.

As a widower, I am alone constantly. I stay alone for many reasons, which are the same reasons the dating scene sucks these days. Trust is an issue for many, money, and holding onto it counts. Honesty is hard to find. People tend to talk, but, they don’t tend to cross the line into your personal space these days. Too many fears come into play. I don’t wnat someone to take my money, or use me or abuse me. I don’t want, someone who has the attitude of me, me, me, and screw you. In orde rto even think of having a relationship, the first thing that comes to mind is honesty, then respect, and loyality. Also, are we on the same wave length on many things or not. I would never date a person who is into Trump or his MAgA World, sorry folks, but, I don’t go there.

I see anger in the world, I see fear of opening up in the world, I see people dodging relationships and hiding in all ways. The world is not an open one these days. Interaction is frowned upon as I see it, except for events like bowling or public concerts and show or ball games. Even then, people tend to avoid interacting with others, for fear of being abused, or used, or stolen from. The world is a mean place these days.

Prices are rising on all items, a simple lunch date wil cost a man a good 40 to 50 bucks at least. Everything costs folks. I own my condo, and no I don’t want anyone moving in with me either. And I don’t want to move in with any woan either, and get told I am trying to take her for money. I find that interacting in this day and age is a constant process of being exteremely careful, of what you say or do. Anger is everywhere in America these days.

Look I miss my wife who passed in 2021 and it now 2025. She was apositive person, smiling, laughing and smart asa whip and I miss that. I didn’t marry her for money or belongings, I didn’t treat her wrong, or cheat on her. What I did was stay with her till she passed. Loyality goes a lone way folks. Honesty is vital in any relationship. Being positive helps. Truth goes a long way too folks. Open communication with each othe ris vital, even if you can’t agree on everything. Compromise is a word seldom heard these days folks. But, if you don’t learn to compromise and accept the differences in the relationship your in, will die out. Compromising is vital not only in relationships, but in life in ggeneral folks, never forget that. No one is 100 percent correct all the time. Accept that for yourself and don’t set the bar too high for someone else to be in your life. If you can laugh at yourself, be yourself at all times, you stand a better chance at surving happily in the end.

I am not a relationship guru so to say, I don’t have all the answers, I don’t think anyone does. What I do is go day by day and accept what happens around me and roll with it. I don’t like people who try to change me for their own reasons, and I hate forcing myself on anyone. I also do not believe in being a burden to anyone in anyway. I don’t impose on people, I don’t need to lie to people, I only trust the ones I know. Maybe it is the wrong way of looking at life, but, it is the safe way.

So, as I go along I gave up dating apps, cost too much and they don’t work. I am now trying to just me be, more than anyother thing in life. I like to read, I like puzzles, I like pool, I like bowling. I like going out for lunch now and then and I like walking some for exercise. As I age, I have learned to just do me, do what I like, be me and have fun the best I can, I am old now an dgetting older by the second, minute, hour and days that roll by. I just want to enjoy life, have fun, and I like to help others now and then also. I have basically, become like a coach for pool, or bowling when I go. I know I am not perfect at either sport, but I have fun is all.

Life in Modern America is getting rougher and more lonely than ever. What I am doing is learning, I force nothing, I come and go, I talk to whoever talks to me. I laugh, I even cry when needed. I am human, and no one should be alone all the time. I do have memories, I do have feelings, if you cut me I do bleed folks. If you slander me, or if you attack me, I disappear totally. I don’t need to put up with taht stuff, I am too old for it. America is a divided nation now, republicans and democrats fight it out constantly. MAGA forces are everywhere, and our country is slowly dying from it all. Instea dof a we society folks, we have gone toa me society and screw you, as long as I get my fair share as they say.

America was so much better when we were a We society than we are now. We all were for good things back then, caring for our seniors, being friendly, helping one another. What happened to that folks, where did it go? I shall say this one more time, America, was and can bea better place for all. If We accept each other, help each other, interact with each other.Sadly America has gone the me. me. me society approach now. What is needed in America now, is for all to start living in a We Society once more. IT’s the biggest problem Americans may ever face, because we are stubborn, arrogent, angry, and foolish. We can’t see that the me, me, me society is not working for all of us. What I am saying folks, America is at it’s best when we are honest, opem, friendly and working together. It is time, to end this me. me.me society and go back toa we,we,we society. If we don’t America will crumble and fall. Think about it folks and i think you will agree.