I’m a single 34-year-old female in NYC. I almost never get a message from someone who interests me, partially because the men who message me are almost always much older than I am. So, I send many initial messages to men who interest me. Prior to turning 34, I got about a 10% response rate to these initial messages. Since my 34th birthday six months ago, I’ve gotten literally no replies (and I’ve sent many, many messages). I don’t know for sure that age is involved but it does seem likely. I only message guys whose “looking for” age range includes 34, though 34 is often at the top of their range (I don’t find many men who state that they’re willing to date a woman older than that.)

I’m not messaging 25-year-olds; I’d ideally like to date someone roughly my own age (say, late 20s to late 30s). These men seem to want women much younger than themselves. I can’t blame them; we’re an age-obsessed culture and I’m sure I’d prefer a younger woman if I were in their shoes, especially in NYC, which is particularly youth-obsessed. Read more