Reuniting couple need relationship rehash

Dear Amy: My brother-in-law, “Walter,” is an attractive, heterosexual man in his 70s who is comfortable financially, but never settled down.

He’s had girlfriends, but never found someone who was “The One.”

Walt is now regretting his past fear of commitment. He doesn’t want to be alone for the rest of his life.

His most recent girlfriend left him abruptly after a couple of months.

I think it’s because she was looking for a “green card ‘Sugar Daddy,’ ” and he wasn’t proposing fast enough.

He discovered that she was playing the field. He was pretty devastated.

Walt is going to be in his hometown to see family, and he invited a former friend, “Barb,” to lunch to see if they still have chemistry.

They dated years ago, but he called it off.

He now thinks he was being too narrow-minded. Barb is a lovely person. I’m surprised she’s still single.

Mutual friends of his and Barb’s have suggested that she is still interested in him.

Walt asked me if he should lay it all out on the table: He wants a companion to enjoy life with.

I thought that might sound insulting , as if he couldn’t find anyone else. What do you think? — Younger SIL Dear Younger: My instinct is that “Walter” is getting desperate.

If his ex was “playing the field, isn’t he now “playing the field?”

His goal should not be to seal the deal with this first lunch, but to get to a second date.

I suggest he start by offering to do a little “relationship rehash,” in case there are any lingering issues he may need to explain or apologize for regarding their previous relationship. He should focus on listening to her during this initial meeting.

If Barb has been single for a long time, she has already been to the puppet show and seen the strings.

If Walter listens to his date and discerns her wants and needs, she might be responsive to rekindling their relationship.

Dear Amy: I am a 71-year-old male living in Southern California.

I have been called “Sweetie, Honey, and Dear” at various stages of my life by female service providers of all ages and backgrounds.

Admittedly, I don’t get called by these harmless endearments in a professional setting or in the healthcare arena, but I don’t take offense and certainly do not register “disgust.”

Could it be that women of a certain age are the ones feeling disrespected, while guys just roll with it? — Tim

Dear Tim: Your theory is possible, except that this topic was originally raised by a group of men.