Online dating? I’d sooner try walking the dog

Rowena Wallace ponders the perils of online dating for older Australians

THEY say that with age comes wisdom and while I relish being a little foolish some of the time (a wellearned right at my age), nowhere has this wisdom been more evident than in my brief return to the dating scene.

Although I’d heard of dating websites and apps a while ago, I never imagined I’d use them. But I was after companionship and my girlfriends suggested setting up a profile so I gave in.

It was strange at first. We used to meet people face-toface then arrange to get together. Now, you arrange the get-together so you can meet face-toface. I have to admit I wondered if it was all worth it.

It was too much like hard work, I just didn’t like it, and I felt silly doing it. I only did it for a dare in the first place.

I am the wrong age group and too old for all that nonsense.

I met a few nice men, and some not so nice ones, even arranging a second date with one funny fellow. But I learnt two things — that I wanted companionship and friendship more than a relationship, and that this online thing wasn’t for me.

Even stranger to me than online dating was that people seem to turn to the internet to find friendship. I’ll admit I’ve spent my fair share of time using the internet to find ways of meeting new people. Haven’t we all? But what happened to just meeting people while you were out or getting dressed up for a night out with real conversation?

Over the years I’ve been lucky to nail down a few good friends but time and distance make it hard to catch up these days.

With work opportunities being sporadic at best, and non-existent at times, I don’t have that easy avenue for interacting with people. For a long time ill health kept me indoors and out of contact, which is hard for someone who loves nothing more than a good chat to good people over a good cup of tea. It’s also gotten harder to find social opportunities as I’ve gotten older.

No matter how far technology brings us, for now at least the best way for me to meet new people is to get off my butt, put one foot in front of the other and get out of the house. I’m open to suggestions of online ways to meet friends but instead of sitting at home on my own staring at a computer screen, I’ve tried getting out into the community.

If, like me, you’ve searched online for new places and ways to socialise, all of that internet research should have pointed you in the direction of a walking group, or bingo at your local community hall or RSL club or a dancing class. If it hasn’t, step outside.

You never know who you’ll run into or what you’ll find.

The most important thing for me is to find people with common interests and my biggest interest by far is my dogs. In fact, the quickest way I’ve found of figuring out whether I’ll get along with someone is to see what they’re like with Phoebe and Rebus, my gorgeous fur-kids.

I have a fantastic little group of friends I walk with. It lifts my spirits and I get to discuss everything from the good old days, to politics, to what everyone is watching on TV.

It can all get a little exhausting though when you’re older, trying to find companionship. We get set in our ways and nervous about stepping outside of our comfort zone.

But if all else fails I can highly recommend getting a dog. They’re cuddly, loyal and always up for a (one-sided) chat!