With on line dating you need to be prepared to play the long game. "On line" is the clue....talk to them..a lot. The more you talk, the more you know someone.
Also why worry about distance, just talk and leave the meeting up for later, on line dating is different, it's a slow courtship

Ah, but do we have time for the long game these days? Actually I don't even have the inclination to even try the long game or even a short game, as I am perfectly content and need a new partner like I need another hole in my head!

We had 22 happy years together through SAGA - you have to judge- through the letters you may receive
which ones to meet - My Lady said later " It was either YOU or the BUTCHER - ( freemeat ) ---- Ha! Ha!

As I have been a member on this site for 13 + years - I decided to look up dating ` Buzz ` style.
I looked at the line of people + their ages - at the top of the page. None of them Ladies came
anywhere - near my age. My last venture into the `dating ` game was `very ` successful `( see above )
People would say ` He is looking for a carer ` . No I would not - I look after my self - cook - washing -
hoover - walk with a stick now - have bus pass, will travel - Age - now that`s the problem - Do I want
a lady to come into my life, just now - I write stories - I mend things - I have sewn at times -- dont knit
(that could be a BIG draw back ) - Dont smoke - Have no animals - Now anything else - Yes - age - 95.
But - I do have a Pension - Would I get ANY takers - What do I require - must have a Yacht - Porsche -
( send photo of yacht & car )....

now look here man of kent a porsche ?? you simply would not get in and out of one lol ask for a range rover

I've been on a dating website for years, met quite a few people, fell in love once, fell out of love, turned my life upside down ... no regrets but if I'd known then what I know now, don't think I would have had the nerve.

Some of the scams are incredible - scamming lonely singles, especially ones on their own after long happy marriages who are almost frighteningly naive - is huge business, I never got targeted - I'm not rich enough! - but after reading a few cases I'd never say I'd not be that stupid. We're not talking "send airfare, love you long time" we're talking high-quality performances

Some of the singles are destructive, sociopaths or simmering with rage, dragging round toxic baggage, their charm at the start swiftly tarnishing to show the ugly beneath. And it's always, always, YOUR fault.

Some are as shallow as plates, selfish to the core, out for number one, and not about to mellow any time soon just because they're older, but looking for a sucker to fund their "retirement". Caveat emptor.

Some simply cannot resist the temptation of carrying on searching under a new profile, just in case. Hedging their bets. Wanting a backup, or hoping to upgrade. Grrr. Keep an eye on the website, especially familiar-looking descriptions!

The thing is, all those people out there in real life too, but they can hide better online. If you are careful, cautious, listen to your gut, and enjoy the chat - it can change your life. Like I said, no regrets.

Honestly, at my age I see no point at all in dating whatsoever. Why share my life with someone superfluous to requirements, adds nothing I need to my life and who would only add complications to my life if I was rash enough to start dating anyway? Why spoil a good thing when I am perfectly content and financially stable? I'm sure women feel the same way.

Elias Mooseblaster wrote: Honestly, at my age I see no point at all in dating whatsoever. Why share my life with someone superfluous to requirements, adds nothing I need to my life and who would only add complications to my life if I was rash enough to start dating anyway? Why spoil a good thing when I am perfectly content and financially stable? I'm sure women feel the same way.

If perfectly content and financially stable, indeed, why bother. I find myself backing away from full-time relationship offers but I do at the same time like to have a bloke "around" and so hope the universe will at some point provide a bloke who would like to have a woman "around". I have friends who spend weekends and holidays together and contentedly live separately the rest of the time. My BFF's godmother had a very successful 20 year relationship with the man next door and both found the closeness / distance, occasional meals, ideal. My neighbour on one side is an elderly widow with no English, on the other a younger couple with teenagers. Oh well, back to the drawing board

A woman I know was widowed recently and was instantly bombarding her husband's elderly single friend with calls for support and help - as he is financially strapped he responded eagerly and they were off for a week together within 2 months, another week to cement the deal shortly after, and are moving in together next month, Sensible and practical enough I suppose. She needs a lot done to her house and he is good at DIY and needs cashflow. Win win, at least until the house is sorted and she wants to keep the rest of her money to herself? But I have to applaud her technique.

I suppose I'm lucky to have a couple of female friends, purely platonic relationships though. We've known each other for ages, and one of them I have known for 19 years now. We act as each others "+1" for (very rare these days) social events, and may have an evening of chatting over a cuppa every few weeks, but that's all we need from each other. I don't do chores for them though as they have families for that or they get a handyman in to do the job. I don't expect them to do anything for me, either, as I can look after myself perfectly well. All very friendly and stress-free although I wouldn't class it as "being around" as such. As I say, two or three weeks can go by without a get-together.