Ladies and Gentlemen, could you possibly consider friends with a person who is either ten through twenty years older than you?

Question

Basically imagine you were trying to find a new friend but you were having problems finding any person to hang out with. So instead you tried searching online and hoping of finding people who can hopefully become a good friend for you, you have managed to caught the eye of another man/woman who is ironically just like you don't have any friends themselves. You two had decided to start chatting with each other and finally have made it a personal mission to actually meet face to face, the man or woman has actually revealed their age to and you have finally came to a realization you aren't the same age range as this new person but they ironically doesn't mind if you aren't in their age range considering they don't technically based their lives on numbers but how about you. Basically my question here is if you were hanging out with a person who were either 10 or 20 years older than your age, would you consider hanging out with the older person as a friend or you prefer to have a friend who is your age or at least close to your age?

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

Oh definitely.
My closest friends are all waaay younger than me.
(Does kinda make me wonder though, why that keeps happening. Anyway, as long as they're mature enough and have some decent life experience, I choose mostly based on their personality and character. Hopefully it's not 'cause I'm immature for my age!)
My husband's new friends are the same thing, much younger too.
I think friendships are developed not just on geography and who is where at what time, but the peoples' openness to ideas. The more you are out there, and put yourself out there, the more people from different walks of life you are likely to encounter. It opens up the pool quite a bit. Although I'd still say great friendships and connections are rare. I'm lucky to know the people I do right now. It took many years to find them.

muscularbumblebee · Accepted Answer

10 years older is pretty easy actually as most of my friends are around 8-12 years older anyway in their early thirties or almost there. 20 years older a little harder as I’m only 20 but I do have 1 good friend who is 37 so almost 20 years older that isn’t much a problem. Obviously the stuff we talk about and our stages in life is different as he’s married and has a house and career etc but we get along pretty well and message few times a week. Same with my other friends 10 years older except I seem to be in the same boat with the others

Wraith_Cemetery · Accepted Answer

Definitely. I've already experienced that. Some of my closest friends are much older than me ( 5 to 15 years older). I have more in common with older people than those that are my age or younger. I barely have anything in common with folks that are in their 20's or early 30's.

Folks my age or younger typically don't have the same musical taste as me, don't have the same passions, are more liberal and left leaning, and don't have the same traditional values, et cetera. Yes, there are outliers and I can befriend such people. But I've noticed a trend that I agree on more topics with people older than me.

In the vintage scene, for example, everyone is older than me by 5 to 10 years. I have yet to meet anyone that has the passion for vintage stuff who is younger than me.

Lliam · Accepted Answer

When my wife and I moved to this area, we didn't know anybody. Long story short, we decided to check out a nondenominational religious fellowship (Unitarian Universalist). We were both in out late 40s at the time. To my surprise, we met some amazingly bright and informed people and became very, close friends with a few who were 20+ years older that us. We would invite each other to each other's homes, go out for lunch and dinner together, celebrate birthdays together, etc.
We came to love some of those people deeply. They turned out to be some of the best friends we ever had.

allie_lynn · Answer

I have lots of guy friends who are 6 maybe 7 years older than me. I know that sounds bad but they are my older brothers college friends. Its a benifit for me though because when we go out to party after a game I tend to just blend in with them and usally don't have any problems. Its like having 10 older brothers, fun times lol.

RobT312 · Answer

Yes.
maybe 10 would work. I have neighbors that are about 10 years older than me and they are my friends. We still have things in common.

20 may be pushing it...20 years older may have more in common with my parents.
not opposed to it but someone 20 years older is at a different stage in life than me

Oigit · Answer

I very much had the kind of childhood that forces one to grow up fast. Also my grandfather was my father figure. So I find it much easier to be friends with someone that is at least 10 to 15 years older then myself and always have. The only people I have been able to be friends with in my age group have been the people that where forced to grow up fast as well. Simply because I can be friends with them and not be a father figure or their grandfather. It comes from having a hard time connecting with people on a mental level and very much feeling like there is a mental age gap.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Yeah I have plenty.

pretty much all my working life, I have had friends that are older and younger.

this applies to both guys and girls.

it’s more about the person than their age at times, I’ve heard more intelligent things Come out of a friends kids mouth when compared to his lol.

Equally I get corrected by my daughter for various bollox I come out with.

socially it’s always been a large mix of ages but pretty much always the same attitude and erm stupidity I guess lol, not sure any of is actually sane or sensible.

shaysh87 · Answer

I think being friends with someone 10-20 years older than you is fine. But the likelihood of me being Friends with someone over 10 years older is very slim because we would have different maturity, different sense of humor , different life stages, different perspective on life. We wouldn’t have much in common. This is why most friends are of similar ages. People tend to get along best with those around their own age

people don’t like hearing this but it’s true

Brainsbeforebeauty · Answer

One of my best friends who I considered more as family was much older than me, closer to my mom's age than mine, but we clicked within 5 min. Of working together and were friends for over 20 years till she passed away from a stroke

HighValue · Answer

I have friends as much as 20 years younger than me and as old as 12 years older. It more depends on the person's interests in common and personality for how compatible they are than just an age number.

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

It depends on how they are mentally in mental age. Some guys I've been friends with are 20+ years older than me act like my age, some act like they are 80 year old cripples, can't be friends with them.

Same for younger, if they act young and dumb can't really be friends even if they are my exact age.

Has more to do with what we have in common and how we mesh and get along.

NathanDavis · Answer

yes, I do have friendships and I'm acquainted with people from many different ages... even 10 to 20 years older...

DonkeyDan · Answer

I have friends of all age groups from 20s through to 70s, I have no issue with being friends with someone regardless of age.

blurpblurp · Answer

When I was in my late twenties, I befriended at least 2 much older people. They're cool, they have slightly different point of view regarding life, I learned things from them. I honestly don't see any difference with having friends younger, older, or same age as I am.

SenileOldMan · Answer

One of my first friends after moving to a new city was in his 40s and I was in my 20s. I met him in a bar and we talked a lot about many subjects and he turned out to be an English teacher teaching adults in their 20s. So he invited me to a barbecue he was having at his school and wanted to introduce me to his students. I went and not only made some new friends my age there but remained close friends with that teacher.

HoraceB · Answer

Once both people are adults, age becomes less of a factor. If you both have a lot in common, like each other, enjoy talking/hanging out/playing games/whatever, why would you let age stand in the way? I have several friends that are around 15 years younger than me, but we all like playing D&D, Magic the Gathering, etc.

bones_20 · Answer

I would and already do have a few that are quite a bit older. I’m not ageist and I don’t like to limit myself.
They are fun people and it’s really no different then hanging around people my own age.

jasco · Answer

In terms of friendship, age is just a number. Sharing knowlegde is always good, kids need them more than ever. I think we should alwways try to share with people what we know

lrina · Answer

Definitely not. i feel like i'd be slightly creeped out and plus i'd probably have no mutual interests with that person. i'd rather not. talking is fine, but nothing as close as friendship...

skyeee01 · Answer

age doesn't matter!! I'm 20 and my netball team are mainly in their 30's and 40's , we all go out and do stuff, i love them and would definitely call them my friends! :)

Raphaëlle · Answer

Why not? If they're nice and we click as friends it's a given. I also think it's good to have friends in different ages and generations. It gives you different perspective on things and maybe some new knowledge.

Jintendo18 · Answer

I was friends with this dude who was 9 years older. He was like an older brother/mentor to me during college years and overseas. Also had a short-lived fling w/ this 32-year-old chick when I was 20 just before I met my SO at the time if that counts.

Adam1978 · Answer

That really weird question coming from a guy your age. Me hanging out with so much younger isn't that odd. But its small children for you. You need to limit your age group to upper teenagers and above.

Elise888888 · Answer

5 of my very close friends are 20 years older than me. Big deal

Sirenboobzilla · Answer

If we click, we click. One of my friends is in her 50's and she's one of my partners in crime. Another friend is in his late 40's.

theothersider · Answer

One of my best guy friends is 64 years old. Having friends with way more age and wisdom than you can come in handy in a pinch.

MCheetah · Answer

Maybe, but I doubt it. It'd be too weird, for me. They could be a mentor to me, but not a straight-up friend.

DesiUwU · Answer

Yes. I have many friends who are more than 10 years older than me.

riidges · Answer

A friend is a friend. If you're chill with me, I can be chill with you

Sincerly_KittyCat · Answer

Yes, if they check off boxes on the list (which includes the important boxes.) I will happily do so.

Dinklex3 · Answer

I have a friend that's 9 years older than me. We hang out and get along great.

melanieeeB · Answer

I would say I'm friends with my work colleague and she retires in a few months, she is pretty cool

AviatorTom · Answer

I have several friends 10-20 years younger than me, so I guess they would say YES to your question.

jamesgoldman · Answer

Most of mine already are, I considered my antique dealer a good friend before she passed she was 89 and I was 21

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I don't see why not. What does age have to do with it?

annabananna · Answer

I have been friends with someone about 18 years older than me before

Abby005 · Answer

Sure why not bring wisdom to you. One make other feel youthful.

Uptowngirl88 · Answer

Why not? Age has nothing to do with one's ability to be a good friend. You have a lot of growing up to do and this is why you don't have friends

music_bubbles · Answer

One of my besties is 17 years older than me. We get along wonderfully and have such a great time when we hang out.

altaboy · Answer

Of course! Many of my favourite people are older than I am. Now that I think about it, most of my friends are older than I am.

Amoebaaa · Answer

It doesn't matter. I would hang out with em'.

awkward_author · Answer

I'd be fine with it. My best friend is ten years older than me.

rabbitzzz · Answer

Sure if its opposite gender. Or a rich dude with a yacht.

Ray123456 · Answer

If they're a close a friend I'd rather them be in around my age

OddBeMe · Answer

I actually do have several friends 20 years older. They were business mentors.

noohair · Answer

Old folks might have some weird ideas but there is a lot wisdom.

Joshua0213 · Answer

Yeah I get a long better with older people so defintely would prefer that tbh

cherry13 · Answer

If you’re both adults I don’t see anything wrong with it

fireforeffect · Answer

Yes easily. I have a friend who will be 99 this month!

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Yes, for sure no problem

Juxtapose · Answer

I already am, age is not an obstacle for me.

Citizenkirk · Answer

Maybe, but my mom is barley 17 years older than me

Redstang88 · Answer

Most of my friends are +10 years older

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

Yes.

chilldude33 · Answer

10 years older is nothing really

Ineedhonesty · Answer

Absolutely!

Pleaznhim4me · Answer

Yup I could.

msc545 · Answer

Sure!

sheikalana · Answer

Of course!

slatyb · Answer

Friends? Definitely.

DaveToo · Answer

I already am.

dragoblack · Answer

Absolutely

devoygf · Answer

nope

Ladies and Gentlemen, could you possibly consider friends with a person who is either ten through twenty years older than you?

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Ladies and Gentlemen, could you possibly consider friends with a person who is either ten through twenty years older than you?

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