Are You An Old Age Bar Stalker?

For those of you over the age of 35, let me ask you a question. Do you remember when you were just out of college at 22, you went to a hip fun trendy bar full of people your age, and there was always that one guy there who was wearing a bad leather jacket, some seriously bad jeans and had a comb-over?

The more you watched him, the more he creeped you out. He looked like he was molesting every woman with his eyes, and he had a totally desperate feel about him.

For those of you still in your twenties, you also know the guy I'm talking about. He stands out like a sore thumb. He comes to the bar alone and leaves alone. He brings with him who look like three of his brothers, all of whom look about the same: lost and desperate.

So for those of you over 35, think back to when you were 22 and remember seeing this guy. Now I'm going to ask you a question. Did you become him?

Are you over 40 standing in a bar or nightclub populated by a bunch of 20-somethings still hoping to meet someone? You've just become the person you and you're friends used to make fun of and mock.

Do you think that this is your only option? Do you realistically believe that you are going to get a different result than you've ever gotten before? Are you instead maybe just off a divorce and you don't know any better?

You don't belong in a bar on a Friday night with 20-somethings, because you are going to look just like that man of which you used to make fun. Ladies, stop snickering. Your turn is coming.

Remember when you were 22 standing in that bar dressed all seductive, and you made fun of the women who dressed like a 16 year-old and who looked at all the manboys like she hadn't eaten a meal in 20 years? You used to not only make fun of her, but you also swore you would never be her... and now you are her.

Now don't start getting pissed off and telling me about how there is nowhere else to go on a Friday night. That's a bunch of crap!

You just haven't admitted to yourself yet that you need a new strategy and that you don't belong in that 20-something bar. There are plenty of places for you to go on a Friday night where people hang out who are more age appropriate.

First, there are the higher end restaurants that have a bar that the 20-somethings can't afford. Second, you can go to a bookstore. Third, you can go to a little cafe that isn't a pickup place... a place where adults go.

These are just some tips. This article is not about listing 50 things for you to go and do besides going and standing in a 20-something bar. This article is about admitting to yourself that this time in your life is over, and that you need to start marketing yourself in more age appropriate environments.

It's okay that you don't belong in these places. I don't go to them. I also don't belong in them... because I no longer want to be "that guy." It's time to start becoming the man or woman into whom you have evolved and embrace this person who you've become.

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This article is brought to you by Relationships Advice Blog.