Being seen in public...

Hi Guys, I'm new here as you can see in the New Members section and I am slowly reading through posts but I have yet to come across any that tackle public reaction to age gap relationships. So basically, have you faced any and how have you handled them? I am new at this and I don't think the 15 year age gap is that obvious but there is obviously an age gap of sorts and rather than wait to see if anyone makes an issue of it I would like to know if there is anything I should expect and how I should handle it... cheers

Hi Mentally21 - welcome to Ageless!

You can find a bunch of threads in the "Common AGR questions" thread:
http://www.agelesslove.com/boards/showthread.php?t=20506

Specifically, check out the "What should I do when they say, "You're old enough to be his mother"?" and the "How do you handle AGR assumptions?" threads. There are some great comebacks and stories about public reactions as well as friends & family!

I think most of us have simply waited to see what happens, and if anyone does anything mean. People can suprise you with how accepting they are of your relationship, to your face anyway. I don't think I would worry until and if something happened.

Ali

I have a 21 year gap and we have not had any reaction. We do whatever is normal in our part of the world. For example, public kissing on the mouth in Panama is not ok, so we do not do that. We hold hands, and occassionaly hug in public like every other couple but no more and no less.

We go together to supermarkets, movies, dancing (not enough :mad:), restaurants, everywhere and no linching mob yet.

Same here; we have not experienced anything negative yet and we have nearly a 25 year gap between us. I don't know what people think, but honestly, we are not physically demonstrative in public. (Neither are his friends with their girlfriends.) I'm sure we look like a couple though. Time will tell.

Recently we went out with friends and one of them brought his father who must have been no more than ten years older than I am. Our friend introduced us. The man smiled, shook my hand and nicely said it was a pleasure to meet us both. He didn't bat an eye. So either our age gap doesn't appear to be what is actually is, or the guy has some class, or maybe his eyesight is really poor. I do think when we are in a group, people see us as a group, rather than individuals. I'm very comfortable with his friends.

Thanks Kristin, that link was a great help... :bgrin2:

I've found that if you're comfortable in your relationship and have an attitude of not caring what other people think about YOUR relationship....then usually you won't have a problem.

Most people are pretty accepting. (notice I said Most and not all...because there will always be some jerk lurking around the corner to screw that up) *grin*

Alec and I have a 20 year gap and I've yet to find anyone (besides my parents and friends) who have come out and said they have a problem with it.

And like Alec always tells me....WE are the only people in our relationship. So the other people's opinions of US...just don't matter. :D

Nadine.