this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
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This question was inspired by a meme I just saw, and my longtime crush on Brad Pitt, who’s 45 years older than me.

Youngest: my age. Oldest: if it’s someone in as good shape as Brad Pitt, the sky’s the limit.

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[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 77 points 5 days ago

I used that formula to half-jokingly look for a partner on my blog. And it worked. I was 22 and she was 27. "So old!" I thought back then. Didn't help that she sent me a really ugly blurry photo. Still, I was desperate and liked our conversations.

Now we're married and laugh about that "huge age gap".

[–] rekabis@lemmy.ca 7 points 4 days ago

No-one.

Absolutely no-one.

If I get widowed tomorrow, imma gonna stay single for the rest of my days.

Not only am I edging into that age where I am becoming increasingly cranky and unwilling to change for someone else (I have changed enough for my wife of 30 years), but I have also been keeping a light finger on what’s happening out there between the sexes, and holy shite that’s become one hell of a mess that I want absolutely nothing to do with.

I mean, the door isn’t going to be barred and locked. But it is going to be firmly closed and with a cinder block in the way. If someone wants through, they are going to have to demonstrate real effort in their pursuit of me.

But then again, I would be shocked AF if any woman thought pursuit of any kind wasn’t beneath them. So I guess my peace and quiet would be quite safe. Thank the lord.

[–] violet08_@lemmy.world 44 points 5 days ago

Meme in question:

[–] jtrek@startrek.website 27 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Half your age plus 7 is an okay rule for finding the floor. Don't aim for the floor. Plus 10 is less eyebrow raising.

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 3 points 4 days ago

I strongly prefer older. Thing is both 26 and 35 are kind of hot. And I know one 38 year old that is quite hot.

Unfortunately, she is the bosses daughter, and talks to me as if I were a child.

So, I just noted passively that she is hot and divorced.

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 11 points 5 days ago (3 children)
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[–] IronKrill@lemmy.ca 4 points 5 days ago

I think +7 is common because it's the kind of rule that mostly matters when you're young, and more than 7 breaks it too often. For instance +10 means as an 18y/o I would have to date a 19 y/o... where-as +7 makes sense for people as young as 14.

[–] farmgineer@nord.pub 16 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Joke answer: whomever my wife would let us.

Actual answer: I don't know. I'm in my mid 40s. If I had to start over for some reason and was looking for a serious relationship, at least 30s as the minimum. Max would be low 50s, probably, though I've not thought a ton about it.

Actualer answer: if I ever lost my wife, I doubt I could/would pursue a serious relationship again or at least for a long enough time to make my answer above probably innacurate.

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[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 12 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

This depends on what you mean by date

If you mean pursue a long term relationship, the answer probably is around 30 and 45

If you mean a short term fling or one time thing, the answer is 25 to probably 60. This depends a lot on their physical condition.

Edit: also, F38

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[–] kbal@fedia.io 24 points 5 days ago

Youngest: A mayfly, born this morning and destined to die this evening, which landed on my nose.

Oldest: A mountain with ancient bones, eroded by the aeons to a mere hill with sides of crumbling rock.

Oh you mean humans? Well, anyone between the ages of 47 and 52 I guess.

[–] wavebeam@lemmy.world 10 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Half my age +7 and double my age -7

[–] Candice_the_elephant@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

This is NOT the correct formula.

*edited

It is *alf your age +7 and Your age -7 doubled.

[–] Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Shouldn't the latter actually be "My age - 7, then doubled"? That's the order of operations to find a number that matches the "half plus 7" rule.

For example, say you're 66 and looking for the lowest age according to the first formula. 66/2 = 33. Then 33 + 7 = 40.

Which should mean that for a 40 year old, the upper age would be 66. If we do 40 - 7 = 33, then 33 x 2 = 66. These numbers match.

But if we followed OP's formula, we'd end up with 73 instead. (40 x 2 = 80, and 80 - 7 = 73.) That's a 9 year difference. Meanwhile, if we did "half plus 7" for a 73 year old, we'd get 43.5. The numbers don't line up.

You are correct, I'm so used to seeing it I didn't sanity check the whole thing. Your maximum = their minimum using the same rule.

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[–] you_are_dust@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

I don't date anymore, but I don't subscribe to the idea that a lot of people think there is a formula to figure it out. I don't hold a position of power or authority, so if there was a connection between me and another adult, the age doesn't matter.

[–] Quilotoa@lemmy.ca 16 points 5 days ago (1 children)

My dad is 98 and he started dating an 82-year-old. It seems to be going really well. She can't drive and he still does so that probably increased his appeal.

[–] NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de 14 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Is he still mentally fit to drive at 98? Damn that's impressive. You've got some good genes.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 15 points 5 days ago (2 children)

of course not. doesnt stop old people though

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[–] Quilotoa@lemmy.ca 5 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Yeah. I've started taking care of myself know that this body might have to do me for a long time. He's also still doing woodworking. Makes amazing stuff.

[–] toynbee@piefed.social 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Recently I had an operation and was in a semiprivate recovery room with a man who turned out to be 77. I'm 38. While chatting with each other to pass the time, I was on some pretty heavy painkillers. (He refused any pain remediation stronger than Tylenol. He was a veteran and, I suspect based on his reaction to any offerings, had seen friends succumb to addictions.)

Anyway, despite being drugged, I managed not to say the first two things that came to mind:

  • "Wow, you're almost exactly double my age!"
  • "Whoa, that's how old my dad was when he died."

All that to lead up to ... If you have any pictures to share, I'd love to see the creative works of a 98-year-old!

[–] Quilotoa@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 days ago (2 children)
[–] Quilotoa@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 days ago

Top is 1/4 inch ash. He used a scroll saw for the little cutouts. Second is shapes cut out, painted, then glued onto a backing.

[–] toynbee@piefed.social 2 points 4 days ago

Those are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

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[–] hesh@quokk.au 16 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Between Age/2+7 and Age*2-14

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[–] akunohana@piefed.blahaj.zone 13 points 5 days ago

I'm 37. Oldest: maybe a 40? Youngest: maybe 25? Just by the looks, I could go far younger, but I don't want to have to go through the whole becoming an adult shenanigans again, and I wouldn't want to have to babysit an insecure person, whose insecurity stems from their lack of experience - important distinction, because some people have some insecure traits (myself included)!!!

[–] lemonhead2@lemmy.world 13 points 5 days ago

I know someone who was 70 and married a 35 year old. she's the same age as his oldest daughter. they had kids and the and grand kids are the same age

another person I know with a similar age gap. his wife is leaving him now after some 25 years of marriage. she said he's too old for her

[–] YeahIgotskills2@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

I'm curious - why would you never go younger than yourself, but don't have an issue with the older person going decades younger for you?

EDIT - just found out your 17 which changes things. I'll get my coat.

[–] violet08_@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

where does this me being 17 thing come from?

i've been open about my age since i first got on here. even had an asklemmy post about birthday celebrations months ago

[–] freeusething@fedinsfw.app 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The youngest I’d go is 23 for a short term fling. If I was to end up in a relationship, I’d like someone in their mid to late thirties.

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[–] titanicx@lemmy.zip 8 points 5 days ago (4 children)

Holy shit. You're 17. The hilarity of all the guys thristing after your content is disturbing. And all your bragging about everything you do seems incredibly creepy now.

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[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 5 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Im a dude which means if someones an adult im not likely to shy away. Realistically there is a point where someone younger than me is not going to be attracted to me or the commanality factor is not there or our lives simply would not mesh. Granted im married so this is all theoretical alternate univers where I was not. Similarly when it comes to older its likely to be more about looks. We all know some folks that keep themselves fit and if someone is hot they are hot. Now the limiting factor there is im not exactly fit and you have to be realistic in expectations. Anyway I don't think its about age when it comes to attraction. Its physicality and personality meshing.

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[–] pHr34kY@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago

I'm in my 40s, and have only ever dated within 1 month of my age.

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

Give me a rich, generous, elderly, asexual sugar-mama or give me death.

[–] sturmblast@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

35-45 seems like a good range at the moment

[–] zxqwas@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

I don't really see what I've got in common with anyone outside of myage ±10 years. That being said I've got more important priorities than age.

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I only date people who are physiologically in their twenties but chronologically in their one hundred and twenties.

/I have a thing for time travelers.

[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 4 points 5 days ago
[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Me too...where did you find these, "time travelers"?

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago
[–] Jerb322@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

My wife is almost 9 years younger than me. We've been together for almost 20 years. 50 and 42.

[–] Clbull@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'm 34. Youngest would probably be 23, oldest would be late 40s. I'm getting to that age where I wouldn't feel comfortable dating a college student. Plus I kinda do prefer older women.

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