For example, they may desire financial stability, be attracted to a confident male who has clear goals, or find an older man able to be more sensual in the bedroom.

By asking him about important decisions you're thinking of making, he will not only be able to offer insights, but he will also feel recognized and appreciated.

Every time you go to a restaurant, the staff will glare at you both — him for being shallow and you for being a gold digger.

This may not be the case, but whether it is or not, taking on daily public scrutiny like this is no picnic.

Now, I’m not saying these are conscious reasons why dating a man quite a bit older—there have been several moments when I’ve thought that going out with someone closer to my age would be much simpler.

I even tried it when my boyfriend and I took a short break, and I found it was painstakingly difficult and more complicated than my experience dating an older guy. The texting games (How long should I wait to text him back? It’s exhausting), the fear of commitment that plagues most twentysomethings, and the simple fact that most guys my age aren’t as emotionally mature as I am.