But according to TODAY’s “This is 50” survey results, only 18 percent of single people in their 50s said they were dating.On the positive side, the age 50-plus daters seem to be pretty darn smart when choosing a date-mate. More than 30 percent don’t even know where to begin and nearly 30 percent say they find it too stressful (think back to those sweaty palms and awkward conversations.) For more than 40 percent of respondents, other priorities are simply more important, and nearly one-quarter say it’s just too difficult to date when you’re 50-plus. That’s true whether you’re 16 or 56, but more than 40 percent don’t believe there is anyone “out there” to date.Most people want to find a friend or a life partner, and to meet the dates who may fulfill this desire, many 50-somethings, about 80 percent in fact, do it the old-fashioned way — through friends or family. Dating after 40 or 50 means taking control of your love life, just like you do the rest of your life. Baggage bonding is when an early date shifts into deep conversation about some baggage you have in common. You start comparing your horrific ex-spouses or your crazy awful dates. Men know who and what they want, often better than we do. The last thing you want at 55 is to wake up in the morning with flashbacks to your days as a 20-something, right? His manners, his shirt, his smile, the way he talks about his kids. If he walks away from the date having shared too much or hasn’t learned about you, then there won't be a second date. It means being kind to yourself and the men you meet. I have compiled a list of Dating Do’s and Don’ts exclusively for women like you. These are for the woman who is done repeating the same mistakes, and is ready to find her grown-up love story. It starts off innocently with a question like “So what happened with your marriage? Nothing positive can possibly come from this, sister. Yes, I know he said he was going to call you, I know you had a great date and want to see him again. That’s especially true of the grownup men that you’re dating. Unless you can talk with your dude about safe sex and the status of your relationship after intimacy, steer clear of the sack. Start off with the positive and try to stay in mode before you decide he’s not right for you.

But there are millions of other 50 men and 50 women like you, who have just broken up with a partner, got divorced or lost someone very special.Is it attracting the interest of couch potatoes, the chronically ill or the guys just looking for a little action?If so, you are likely making at least one of the mistakes commonly made by women over 40 who are using online dating as their new discos.(Really…where do […] Read more You’ve come this far: You and your guy connected online, emailed a few times, spoke on the phone and now it’s time for your “meet date.” You are compatible in the virtual world. Now it’s time to see how it goes in the real world.The purpose of the meet date […] Read more Dating can be a real pain in the butt, right? I did it for about 30 years and I experienced all the hurt, confusion, frustration, hopelessness, boredom, and exhaustion that comes with it.