Dear Victoria

By Victoria Howard

Dear Victoria,

I have been reading your column and love it. You seem to give good advice, but I disagree with one letter that was sent to you.

It was the one about “kicking the man to the curb”: where a fifty-year-old woman wrote about a man who wouldn’t date her after finding out her age. You told her that age doesn’t matter, only with cheese and wine. Well, I disagree. Unfortunately, age does matter. At least it seems to here in South Florida.

I too am a fifty-year-old woman, who is proud of the wrinkles I have earned from lifetime experiences. I do not run to the plastic surgeons (as my friends do), to inject botulism into my face.

I have been single for 10 years, and find it impossible to meet a decent man, who wants to date a woman his age. I go the gym 3 times a week, and eat healthy. I am an attractive woman who looks forty.

Last week I met a man, in a restaurant, who seemed very nice. The next day, we met for coffee and he asked me how old I was.

When I told him -- guess what? He said “I don’t date anybody my own age”, and hasn’t called since. Should I start to lie, or is every man shallow here?

Fifty and Nifty

Dear Fifty and Nifty,

Again, my friend, I will say it again: age shouldn’t matter! When you meet a man who isa ‘real man’, and not an insecure and shallow little boy who is afraid of getting old; age will not matter.

This type of man cannot grow old gracefully. He feels that if he is around a younger woman, she will keep him young and lively. Wrong! Men like these are a dime a dozen. They unfortunately are not only here in Florida, but also everywhere.

I applaud you in standing your ground on feeling good about yourself and not succumbing to any surgery you do not want. It is all right to go and have procedures done if that is what floats your boat—but not to do it because a man wants you to. A man like this should be

‘kicked to the curb’. A man who is worth your while will eventually emerge.