Is age really nothing but a number? We asked JDaters in a recent Topic of the Week how they felt about ageism and romance and received a lot of varied opinions, but it appears that the majority think an age gap is okay. Here are some of our favorite responses:

10. “If they don’t get your references, it matters. If they use the word ‘like’ a lot, they are too young. If they talk about what they did in WWII, they are too old.” –Impishable, 58F, Decatur, Georgia

9. “As long as both people are over 18, who are we to judge?” – NomadicCityBoy, 42M, Jersey City, New Jersey

8. “Any guy can easily meet, date and marry a woman eight years younger than him. However, for every year over eight, he has to be able to write a cheque for a million bucks. Therefore, a 48-year-old guy can easily date a 35-year-old woman if he can produce five million on demand.” – 8328832, 45M, Montreal, Quebec

7. “Mark Twain wrote: ‘Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter.’ People need to be with the person who truly makes them happy in life. If that person is a great deal younger or older than they are, as long as they are happy together…it shouldn’t matter.” – OurHeart2Heart, 47M, Los Angeles, CA

6. “Here’s a great rule of thumb for guys. Try it, it works…Youngest age to date would be half your age plus seven years. For example, if you’re 22, she can be 18.  If you’re 30, she can be 22. If you’re 40, she can be 27, etc….” -- imDHeshMan, 39M, Souderton, Pennsylvania

5. “Only if it bothers either of you.” -- LUVINDC64, 45M, Great Falls, Virginia

4. “When he acts more like your father than your boyfriend.” -- briannajill, 27F, Las Vegas, Nevada

3. “When someone breaks their hip.” -- SalesTrainer64, 45M, Morristown, New Jersey

2. “You know you are dating someone too old for you when a server asks if your ‘father’ would like a coffee, drink or whatever when you are out at a restaurant!” -- smilesareamust, 50F, Montgomery, New York

1. “For a man who goes for youth and looks only, the woman has to understand that someone younger and prettier may come along. For a woman who goes for money and comforts only, the man has to realize that there are wealthier men out there. For a relationship to work, there needs to be a true understanding of what each person is seeking, and a mutual desire to make the relationship work. For that, even 20 years can work.” -- CaptnSpaulding, 49M, Northbrook, Illinois

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