21 Warning Signs to Look for When Dating After 50

Excessive texting. A few messages here and there? Perfect. Texting to arrange plans? Great! Morning greetings? Absolutely! But if your date is bombarding you with texts throughout the day, from ‘Good morning’ to ‘Happy Monday’ to lengthy heart-to-heart messages in the middle of your busy workday, it can quickly become overwhelming. It might signal that they're a bit too clingy, rushing things, or simply have too much free time. Politely ask them to dial it back, and if they don’t listen, it might be time to move on.

They can’t be counted on. One minute, you're planning your next meetup, and the next, they're unreachable. When they do manage to make plans, it’s always on weekdays, and the date often gets canceled last-minute. If your date is flaky, don’t waste your time—just walk away.

• If you’re still unsure about ending things, or if you think their reasons for canceling are genuine, express your frustration with their inconsistency. If they make an effort to improve, they might deserve another chance. If not, it’s time to say goodbye.

They act immature. Sure, a youthful spirit is lovely, but there’s a fine line. You don’t want someone who still acts like they’re in their twenties. By the time you're 50 (or older), you deserve a partner who is stable—financially and emotionally—and who doesn't treat you like their parent.

• If your date is partying like they're in their early twenties, it might be time to move on (unless, of course, you’re also living that lifestyle, in which case, you do you!).

Your expectations don’t match. This red flag isn’t necessarily about one person being right or wrong—it’s simply a sign that you might not be suited for each other. Even if you’re only looking for a brief fling, it’s crucial that you're both on the same page about what you want and expect from the relationship.

• Maybe your date is seeking companionship while you want a physical connection, or they’re after something serious while you're just looking to have fun. Be upfront about your desires from the start to prevent unnecessary disappointment or heartache.

They rush things too quickly. Moving too fast early on can be a sign that your date is either desperate, clingy, or perhaps a bit insecure. They may not fully understand what they want, and instead of taking the time to figure it out, they're pushing things too quickly with you. Worst-case scenario, rushing could indicate they have an ulterior motive, like trying to get physical sooner than you’re ready for. Don’t be afraid to set your own pace and let them know if you need to slow things down.

They have a vague profile. You come across someone on Hinge or OK Cupid with a charming photo and a couple of witty lines in their bio… but that's about it. While you don’t need to write your entire life story on a dating profile, if they don’t include basic information—such as their age, education, or where they live—it might be a sign that they’re concealing something.

• They could be married and trying to cheat, or perhaps they’re attempting to scam you!
• If you’re suspicious, try reverse-searching their profile picture on Google Images to see where it might appear elsewhere. You could discover their social media pages or professional site, or you might even find that the picture was stolen from someone else!

They prefer chatting online, not in person. Some people just want a bit of company online, and while there's nothing wrong with that, if the relationship seems to stall at the virtual stage, it’s worth asking them where they see things going. They may just want a virtual pen pal—or they could be hiding something, like another real-life relationship.

They push to communicate off the dating platform too soon. Dating apps and websites are generally secure. If someone insists on moving the conversation to email or text too early, they might be trying to get your personal information to scam you. Be cautious! Only move the conversation off the app when you're sure they’re trustworthy.

• Online dating can be a great way to meet people, as long as you do it safely. Avoid sharing personal contact details until you’ve met the person in real life. When you do meet them, always choose a public place, and let friends or family know where you’ll be.

They ask for financial help. If someone you meet on a dating app starts asking for money, that’s a huge red flag—unless, of course, they claim to be a Nigerian Princess (just kidding! Never, ever send money to someone claiming to be a Nigerian Princess). If a match on a dating site requests money, don’t engage. Simply unmatch them and report the account to customer service.

• Scammers often don’t directly ask for money. Instead, they may present you with an 'investment opportunity' in some so-called promising business. No matter how enticing it sounds, the answer is always no.

They constantly bad-mouth their ex. At a certain age, many people have had past relationships, some even marriages. These experiences can teach us valuable lessons and contribute to who we are today. But if you’re dating someone who can’t stop trash-talking their ex, it signals that they’re likely still emotionally attached to the past. Plus, it can be exhausting to listen to complaints all night long! You deserve a partner who’s emotionally ready for a new chapter, not someone stuck in the past.

• Sure, their ex may have hurt them, and that could explain some lingering pain. However, you deserve someone who’s genuinely available to date and not seeking therapy from their next partner.

They never own up to their part in past relationships. It’s one thing to still be healing from a past relationship, but it’s another to refuse to acknowledge your role in what went wrong. If it feels like every one of their exes was to blame for the failure of their relationships, that’s a major red flag. It suggests they’re unwilling to take responsibility for their actions or have unrealistic expectations of their partners. Run, don’t walk, away from this person!

They’re cynical about relationships. Even if your date seems to have moved past their previous relationships, they might give off an overall sense of negativity about love and dating. If they sound jaded or bitter about the idea of a future together, it’s a sign that they might not be emotionally prepared to be a good partner. You deserve someone who’s optimistic about building a relationship, not someone who carries around a heavy load of romantic bitterness.

They have trust issues. If your date is still carrying the emotional scars from a past marriage, it’s possible they’ll approach a new relationship with a wall up. This could indicate they’re struggling to open up again and may not yet be fully healed from their previous relationship.

• If you decide to move forward with someone like this, take things slowly. However, don’t expect dramatic changes—focus on the person you're dating, not their potential for growth.

They’ve just gotten out of a relationship. If someone jumps into dating right after a breakup, it could suggest they haven’t fully figured out who they are without their former partner and may be seeking someone to fill that emotional gap. This doesn’t mean you should avoid dating someone who’s newly single, but proceed with caution. You don’t want to become just a rebound.

They’re still grieving their spouse. Losing a spouse is an incredibly painful experience. If you’re dating a widow or widower, they may still be deep in grief from losing their partner, and that sadness may never completely fade. However, if their grief prevents them from fully engaging in a new relationship, it may be best to step back and give them space. They may need more time to heal before they’re ready to open up again.

They feel guilty about dating someone new. Even if your date is beginning to move forward after their spouse’s death, they may still wrestle with guilt over finding someone new. This is common, but it can interfere with your relationship. You deserve someone who can love you fully and without guilt.

• Introducing a new romantic interest to their social circle, especially if they have children, can be difficult for someone who’s lost a spouse.
• While patience is key, if months go by and your date hasn’t included you in their life, it could be a sign they’re not ready to fully commit.

They’re stuck in the past. While it’s clear your date might have feelings for you, if they can’t seem to move on from their previous life, they may not be the right match. If your date frequently talks about their late spouse or keeps comparing your relationship to their past one, that’s a red flag. A bit of nostalgia is natural, but if they’re constantly living in the past, it’s best to leave them there.

They think they’re superior to you. The signs of a narcissist aren’t exclusive to those over 50, but it’s always useful to remember them. A narcissist has a superiority complex that can be easy to spot. If your date feels the need to be the expert in every conversation, or if you feel constantly pressured to agree with their views over your own, you might be dealing with a narcissist.

They’re all about themselves. For a narcissist, it’s all about them—no one else really matters. They’re the king or queen of the castle, and everyone else exists only to serve their needs and desires.

They hide things from you. It may take some time to uncover, but if your date is a narcissist, they’ll likely be hiding things. Narcissists are very concerned with their public image and will often try to deceive others to maintain their facade. If they’ve done something wrong and don’t want you to know, they’ll probably lie about it. Once you catch them in a lie, it’s time to walk away.

They make you doubt your own reality. Narcissists excel at gaslighting, manipulating you into questioning whether what you believe to be true is actually the truth. Be mindful of how you feel when you’re around this person: if they’re constantly leaving you feeling uncertain or anxious, they might be playing mind games with you.

• Reader Poll: We surveyed 704 Mytour readers to find out what ultimately led them to end a difficult relationship, and 63% agreed that feeling anxious or confused was the breaking point.
• So if this resonates with you, rest assured that you're not alone.