What do you think of the "Half Your Age Plus Seven" Rule?

[AndLikeThatHesGone]

So basically, according to this rule, if you want to know the youngest you can date without being inappropriate, you take your own age, divide by two, and then add seven.

So the youngest a 16 year old can date is 15; the youngest a 20 year old can date is 17; and the youngest a 90 year old can date is 52.

And if you want to know the oldest you can date, you do it in reverse. Take your age, subtract seven, and then multiply by two.

Does this seem like a good rule to follow? Or does it seem stupid?

[ZamerZ]

I'd say it's good for a general orientation. But I prefer people close to my age. Older or younger than that is off balance for me and usually clashes with my lifestyle, priorities and also intellect. We'd always be at different points in life, either ahead or behind, and that prospect would be very unsatisfying for me.

[AndLikeThatHesGone]

Interesting.

[AjayOnTheInternet]

I think you should try to stick to your age until you hit 18. You can date any age you feel comfortable with, once your over 18. I personally try to stay within 3 years above and below my age.

[AjayOnTheInternet]

I overlooked your 16. I want to say, nothing wrong dating a year older or younger. if your in school, stick to your grade.

[OlderAndWiser]

60 and 37? 50 and 32? 22 and 18? Probably not good matches.

[AndLikeThatHesGone]

Okay.

[Avicenna]

Older, it worked for me at two of those ages!

[OlderAndWiser]

@Avicenna Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn in the middle of the winter. Overall, the rule works better when you're sixteen than when you're sixty!

[Avicenna]

LMAO. The 18-year-old I dated when I was 22 was total wife material.

[OlderAndWiser]

@Avicenna Sounds like the exception rather than the rule.

[OlderAndWiser]

@Avicenna I dated a 35 year old girl when I was 53, so I am not opposed to age differences!

[Avicenna]

Yeah, I prefer women in their 30s at this point in my life. I think though these relationships work if there is openness to them and obviously compatibility.

[OlderAndWiser]

@Avicenna My fiancée will have her 60th birthday next month. But there's much to be said for younger women with maturity.

[Avicenna]

And there are quite of few of them out there. I met some during the last year. Total catches.

[DummyThiccFeraligatr]

It's generally a good rule and works for most people.

For the life of me, I don't know why, but 18 - 21 year old girls seem to be the group that likes me the best. So, if I followed 1/2 + 7, then I would be eliminating a good chunk of the candidates.

[In_Trance]

So if you're 30. The rule would indicate the youngest you can date is 22.

You meet someone who is perfect for you in every way. You're incredible together. You can't live without her.
But she's 20

Wyd

[AndLikeThatHesGone]

Fair point.

[ProbablyClueless]

Probably true, if a bit generous... I know it's true at my age. I wouldn't feel comfortable dating a 22 yr old. She's gotta be at least 25

[exitseven]

I was never bifmg on rules. If I liked someone I would ask her out no matter the age

[LiamJHayden]

People are individuals, so it seems silly to me.

[Alexz0]

It's silly. Any age is fine.

[dean53AU]

News to me but works for me