Dating : I (23M) and a woman (18F) have serious crushes on each other, get along, seem compatible, but I’m having issues with the age gap.
We recently started working for the same company. Her cousin (my friend) casually introduced us to each other, about 4 months ago. Nothing but to introduce us as friends. She found me attractive from the get go, and I found her attractive as well, but I immediately forgot about it since she is still 18.
Fast forward a couple months, we started to talk to each other when we see each other, it’s a big building so maybe for 20 minutes every couple days. She has expressed to her cousin how she has very strong feelings for me and I have started to like her more. She has the personality traits I look for in a girl. She’s also not a high school girl. She’s in college, works full time, provides for her own housing, is independent, and confident.
So I’m talking to her cousin, I tell him I’m thinking about asking her out. He has given me his support and thinks it’s a good idea. He mentions to me she actually wants to ask me out. In person. Which has never happened to me before, and I find amazing.
I’m worried about a couple issues. All revolving around the age. I don’t want to be seen as a creep. I don’t want to lose respect of friends, co workers, family.
I plan on saying yes when she asks me. However my concern is if we wanted to become more serious and how people might view that.
You genuinely have nothing to worry about IMO. (23m as well)
She is 18, she is an adult. In terms of legal views, you dating her is no different from a 25 year old dating a 30 year old. There might be one or two people that find it odd, if they know her age and might think your taking advantage of her. Prove them wrong, or ignore them.
If you two have good chemistry and genuinely get a long very well. In a years time (given the relationship lasts), no one will care. A 19 year old dating a 24 year old, nothing new.
Shoot your shot, or wait for her. Up to you. But there is legally and overall nothing wrong with your situation. A 5 year age gap, is laughable compared to some of the posts I’ve seen on here. Trust me.
That age gap is not too large imo. Go for it.
My grandparents had a 9 year age gap, which my grandad was horrified by when he first found out – he thought my Grandma was a lot closer to his own age! They were young when they met, and were together for 60 years.
But age isn’t as important as being in a similar stage of life, and getting on well, and being able to handle disagreements constructively.
She’s an adult and you’re only 5 years older. It’s fine.
I personally would have an issue with it since the woman would be my sister’s age, and I have 0 interest in dating my sister’s peers. That’s just me though, it’s generally not an issue