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Yahoo
03-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How single older men can stand out and find real love, according to a matchmaker
Dating is fun at every age, but it has serious benefits for mature adults. Research tells us healthy romantic relationships among older people can improve cognitive function, boost physical vitality, and lead to a happier, more satisfying life. These perks can even reduce stress hormones, boost lifespan, and make healing after surgeries less painful. However, as anyone who's survived heartbreak will understand, prioritizing compatibility in a partner is important if you want to soak up all of the advantages of dating. Otherwise, you end up on the romance hamster wheel, spending your limited time and energy on people who aren't right for you. Selectivity can be especially challenging for older men, many of whom are dating for the first time without the pressures of marriage, children, or other expectations they may have felt in their 20s, 30s, or 40s. This sense of freedom—combined with the fact that, as Pew reports, single older women far outnumber their male counterparts—means single older men can fall into some serious pitfalls that keep them stuck with mismatched partners. If you're a widower, divorcee, or simply a single man, it's worth putting your best and most authentic self forward. To help men in their golden years find satisfying companionship later in life, dating service Exclusive Matchmaking put together a list of advice for older men ready for romance. 'Love doesn't have an expiration date,' said matchmaker Susan Trombetti. 'Dating in your mature years and finding love after 70 and beyond can lead to fulfilling and intentional relationships.' If you want a fulfilling love life, avoid these dating pitfalls to make yourself available for a truly compatible companion. Be forthcoming about your age, lifestyle preferences, and mobility. While many are shy to admit their real age upfront, it's always best to be honest, lest you find yourself embarrassed and alone when the truth inevitably comes out. 'Start by getting over the idea that your age will hold you back,' said Trombetti. 'Anyone can date at any age, it's all about getting yourself out there and being vulnerable.' Attracting the right person is less about flaunting all of your accomplishments, and more about showing your warmth and personality. This is your opportunity to shine. Remember, you're not applying for a job, but rather attracting someone to spend time with the real you. Prospective matches look for 'green flags,' or signals that they could share similar values and lifestyle preferences. Along with your vocation, tell your dates about your hobbies, activities, or volunteer roles so they have a chance to see your character, personality and interests. It's common to be apprehensive when dating as an older person, and rightfully so. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 147,000 complaints in 2024 from Americans over 60 years old who were the victims of a scam. The losses of those victims reached nearly $4.9 billion. Complaints increased by 46% year over year—with financial losses swelling 43%— and Trombetti expects it will continue to rise as scammers become more tech-savvy. Moreover, older men are more vulnerable to sweetheart scams, says Trombetti, where a potential match uses deceptive tactics to gain trust and access someone's money. 'Stay alert and focused when meeting someone new,' she advised, whether that's a friend or romantic interest. To protect your money, emotions and well-being, Trombetti says you should take your time and ask your romantic interest deep questions during the courtship phase to assess their character below the surface. As always, practice safe sex, and keep your finances private until your partner demonstrates consistent trustworthiness. Safety is another reason why many older men work with a matchmaking service to weed out any suspicious opportunists. One way to address safety while easing your way into a new relationship is to schedule a phone call before the first in-person date. Chats on the phone can also be an opportunity for romance to build naturally. The first phone call matters. It sets the tone and builds anticipation, and it's much more intimate than texting, where deciphering the other person's tone is often impossible. It can also be a fun way to start flirting and see if sparks fly. Talking on FaceTime or Zoom is also an easy way to screen for catfishing—make sure the person's voice, face, and personality match their profile—while warming up to a new romantic prospect. 'Seniors can often feel like they have their routine already, and someone new might shake things up,' writes Trombetti about her matchmaking clients. That can be daunting, especially to men who value their independence. 'However, you can still keep your independence when you have a partner,' Trombetti said. Her advice is to think of your potential date as someone who won't take away who you are, but rather make you shine brighter and complement your individuality. When it comes to finding love, age shouldn't be a factor. You shouldn't limit yourself to a handful of disappointing dates. Approximately 36% of adults 65 and older say they are single, according to the Pew Research Center in 2020, and at least 25% of them are looking for dates. Trombetti advises men in particular to be careful not to let frustration eliminate them from the dating pool and miss out on possible connections. Now more than ever, people are living longer, more satisfying lives. As science expands and improves, people are staying healthier. Sure, you may be retired from your career or vocation—but why should you retire from dating? This story was produced by Exclusive Matchmaking and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE What Dakota Johnson got WRONG in Materialists as The Millionaire Matchmaker weighs in
Dakota Johnson 's character in The Materialists seems to have it all, elite NYC clients, a designer wardrobe, and two dreamy suitors, but real matchmakers say the real job is far more complicated. To separate fact from fantasy, spoke to four high-profile insiders: Patti Stanger (The Millionaire Matchmaker), Jaydi Samuels (co-founder of LJMatchmaking), Nick Rosen (founder of Met By Nick and co-founder of QUALITY), and Susan Trombetti (CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking), and, they didn't hold back. 'There's this sexy allure to the industry,' says Trombetti. 'The burnout is real. You need a team for support and balance.' Stanger, known to millions as The Millionaire Matchmaker, confirmed that most matchmakers 'are often single as they see the dark side of dating.' Samuels, co-founder of LJMatchmaking, also pointed out that the movie leans hard into their client's super luxurious world, but that most experts spend their days in front of a laptop, not at cocktail parties or getting toasted at weddings. 'The majority of a matchmaker's day, for most of us, is sitting around in sweatpants, scheduling dates, sorting through a database, conducting coaching sessions and intakes over Zoom,' Samuels says. 'There are no cakes every time someone gets engaged,' Trombetti adds. 'And [clients] don't always invite you to weddings.' And while Lucy is shown taking client calls between lavish dinners and flirty rooftop dates, the real balancing act can be much messier. 'I just returned from an exotic vacation, where I was taking client calls out of the country in a rainforest,' Trombetti says. 'You want to be available at all times - 24/7.' Still, Rosen, founder of Met By Nick and co-founder of QUALITY, emphasized that he does not make promises to clients about finding 'The One.' 'The biggest issue is how the luxury model itself can compromise genuine matchmaking,' he explained. 'When you're under pressure to maintain high fees and constantly upsell, it can create conflicts between what's best for the client and what's best for revenue.' Rosen added, 'Ethical matchmakers set realistic expectations about what we can deliver—excellent introductions and guidance—while being honest that the ultimate outcome depends on the clients themselves. Love involves two people and countless variables beyond our control.' Another moment in the film that sparked outrage among the pros? A client is sexually assaulted on a date arranged by Lucy, and her boss brushes it off. 'It's not normal in the business,' Trombetti says. 'It's a shame that was portrayed like that. I find it disgusting.' 'I've never encountered this occurrence personally, but the fear of it kept me awake at night until I switched to a referral-only model,' Samuels stresses. 'I do want to stress that something like that is logically most likely to occur when you're working with less experienced matchmakers, though.' Samuels points out 'Johnson's character wasn't even aware that could happen' and hardly got to know anyone beyond their "stats" on paper (beyond height and income). Stanger echoes the sentiment. 'I run a tight ship. We background check everyone. But even then, it's never 100%.' Beyond the procedural issues, experts took aim at Lucy's personal choices, especially in her own love life. Samuels explains that Lucy self-sabotages constantly, including belittling herself to Pedro Pascal's character by telling him 'multiple times' that he can 'do much better.' Samuels, co-founder of LJMatchmaking, also pointed out that the movie leans hard into their client's super luxurious world, but that most experts spend their days in front of a laptop The way Lucy interacts with clients also raised eyebrows. 'We aren't chasing people down the street to become a client,' Trombetti says. 'I might chase what I perceive as the perfect match for a client... but I don't chase clients down. They have to want to become a client.' Samuels admits: 'A truly bad date could ruin my night in addition to my client's, as typically I want them to find love as badly as they do.' Stanger is more direct about her boundaries to prevent professional and personal lines from blurring. 'Yes clients can become your friends but it's a tricky situation because if they renew they'll want a huge discount,' she warns. 'I tell my staff it's not wise to become friends with your clients or even date them as it will backfire on you. You must always be professional at all times.' Samuels, the author of Your Last First Date: Secrets from a Hollywood Matchmaker, confessed you can't always predict what will happen. 'It's true you can date a potential or current client, I wound up marrying one!' she exclaims. One thing The Materialists nailed? The outlandish demands. 'I loved when Dakota tells a woman she isn't a catch,' Trombetti says, before noting that the longer her clients stay single the 'longer' their lists of expectations get. When asked about Johnson's performance overall, the experts answers were mixed. 'I loved it, I think Celine Song nailed it and I think Dakota's portrayal of a young matchmaker was authentic. She cared about her clients and went beyond the call of duty. That is a good matchmaker in the end,' Stanger says. But the industry veterans also agree: the film's portrayal is incomplete. '[The film captures] the exhausting reality of constantly managing other people's romantic expectations while struggling with your own relationship choices. The film doesn't shy away from showing matchmaker burnout, which is painfully real but rarely discussed publicly,' Rosen says. 'Lucy was too cynical to last in the real world,' Trombetti says. 'Clients would pick up on that energy instantly. And don't get me started on her stalking. There would be legal consequences.' And Samuels couldn't help but add that Lucy is an abysmal dater, who could not see she has more options than her unstable ex or the guy she doesn't feel worthy of. 'There is a third option, which is to remain single, and find someone who has his life together and treats her well like Pedro, who she's as passionate about as Chris. To me, that would have been a stronger ending,' she reminds audiences. Ann Parnes, the co-founder of After Hello, found the 'portrayal of matchmaking as something transitional and impersonal.' 'l. It gave the impression that as professional matchmakers, we make matches based on a checklist of data points, much like dating apps often encourage, rather than considering the whole person: their needs, wants, lifestyle, and values. That's the opposite of how we work,' she insists.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Khloe Kardashian's perfect celebrity match REVEALED after swearing off NBA players for good
Khloé Kardashian left fans shocked after recently announcing her decision to retire from dating pro athletes while appearing on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast. Following her failed romances with Lamar Odom and Tristan Thompson, celebrity matchmaker, Susan Trombetti, weighed in on who would make the best match for the reality star amid her new 'no NBA ' policy. In an excusive chat with Trombetti, the founder of Exclusive Matchmaking, explained that Kardashian's next partner needs to be someone 'emotionally available and commits to her.' 'He would be someone that loves her, is kind to her and her children, fits in with her lifestyle and family, and is emotionally available and commits to her,' she said. 'They need to be family oriented. It shouldn't be someone that is looking for fame, or wants to compete with her celebrity.' Trombetti continued: 'Think Zac Efron. He has no scandalous past, appears grounded and very private, he is kind, he's famous and handles it well.' And, as the expert matchmaker, pointed out, 'he's handsome, loyal and drama free.' 'He's a hottie... as a matchmaker, I say they could make a good match!' she insisted. While the pair would make an unexpected couple, the High School Musical actor and mother-of-two share several areas of compatibility, including their passion for fitness and maintaining healthy lifestyles as well as their down-to-earth personalities. In terms of their astrological compatibility, Kardashian is a Cancer, and Zac Efron is a Libra, which makes them both hopeful romantics. While a Libra's curiosity might clash with a Cancer's sensitivity, with trust and communication, neither obstacle would be too great of an obstacle for them to overcome. Still, Efron would be a major pivot from Kardashian's past romances as she has almost exclusively dated NBA players like Odom, Thompson, James Harden and Rashad McCants. The Good American founder did, however, recently declare she was swearing off her type after enduring multiple cheating scandals during her relationships with Thompson, 34, and Odom, 45. Despite her valid reasoning for wanting to shun ballers, dating experts, Nicole Moore and Amber Lee, cautioned Kardashian from stereotyping against all sports stars. 'Swearing off NBA Players is not going to help Khloe to avoid men who are not right for her without looking at the deeper underlying patterns and attachment issues that impact the type of partner she is attracting,' Lee, the CEO & Co-Founder at Select Date Society told Instead, Lee suggested the mother-of-two should focus on 'swearing off men with commitment issues.' 'Khloe can have a great relationship with a professional athlete if she is able to accurately identify patterns that have not served her well in the past, such as her tendency to fall into the role of caretaker and nurturer,' the matchmaker continued. As she searches for her next partner, Lee also proposed Kardashian make a list of her non-negotiables and identify her 'must haves' in a partner. 'These should include character traits that truly matter in a partnership (not superficial requirements like he has to be over 6'2).' she noted. Moore agreed that it would be 'silly for Khloe to not an NBA player who is actually emotionally available, for instance, just because her exes who were NBA players hurt her.' Still, the celebrity love coach pointed out that 'unfortunately, professional athletes are, in fact, more likely to cheat due to many factors.' This includes spending a lot of time away from their partners, fans who do anything to be them, and an intense work environment that can sometimes cause them to sweep emotional issues under the rug. Trombetti did point out, however, that cheating, unfortunately, is 'the norm' with many professional athletes. 'It's an unspoken network where the wives watch out for other player's wives and alert them because cheating goes on regularly,' revealed. 'Women are constantly throwing themselves at them, and most don't resist the temptation.' As for whether it would be realistic for Khloé to find love outside the celebrity world, Moore acknowledged it would be 'incredibly difficult.' 'Khloe would likely find more success in a relationship with somebody with equal influence and finances as her perhaps someone with visibility in business or an adjacent field,' she explained. Moore also expressed concern that if she 'were to date non-celebrity, she might always wonder if they were with her or her fame and fortune.' Trombetti, however, pointed out that other stars, like Lana del Ray, Jennifer Garner, Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon are all happily dating men outside their industries. 'It's happening more often,' she explained. 'I have A-list celebs that come to me asking for someone not in the business. Everyone craves a relationship as much out of the spotlight as possible.'
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Work wife' Valentine's cards spark heated debate about appropriateness of workplace relationships
A line of Valentine's Day cards out this holiday sparked outrage on social media and heated debate about the appropriateness of workplace relationships. In a now-viral TikTok, a woman shopping for Valentine's cards this week expresses shock to find cards addressed to a "work wife" or a "work husband." "Work wife" or "Work husband" is a term commonly used for a co-worker whom you have a close, supportive working relationship with, who is typically the opposite sex. The cards read, "For my work wife [or husband] on Valentine's Day. I've finally found someone just as inappropriate as me!" History Of Valentine's Day And Its Rise As A Billion-dollar Consumer Industry The woman filming the video gives the cards a thumbs down and asks, "Who approved this???" Read On The Fox News App Internet users largely seemed to agree in the comment section, trashing the cards as crossing the line. "HR [Human Resources] will be busy this month," one comment said. "Why not just make an affair partner card?" another asked. Over on X, several commentators argued that being married and having a "work spouse" was foolish and dangerous. "If the terms 'work wife' and 'work husband' are harmless, why not call it 'work brother' or 'work sister'? Because it's not platonic," one person posted. Christian conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey also criticized the idea: "Your spouse doesn't have a playful 'work wife' or 'work husband.' They're just cheating on you - emotionally or otherwise," she posted. Former athlete and conservative commentator T.J. Moe also wrote, "The sanctity of marriage matters. Mocking it with the idea of a 'work wife' is foolishly self-sabotaging. If you have a shred of common sense, you will avoid this nonsense." Fox News Digital spoke to relationship experts to get their take on the viral cards and whether it was harmless to have a "work spouse." Dr. Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist who works with married couples, said she thought the cards were inappropriate in the workplace and could invite misunderstanding or even be considered sexual harassment. For those already in relationships, Ludwig said the biggest issue was that "husband" and "wife" suggests an intimate, unique relationship. To call someone else your spouse, even light-heartedly, could invite misunderstanding and threaten your primary relationship. "It is playing with fire because it's labeling something in a way that dismisses appropriate boundaries," she said. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Relationship expert Susan Trombetti, CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, called the cards a "slippery slope" into "emotional affair" territory. "I think they're treacherous," she said. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with having a close relationship with a co-worker, she argued that when you start classifying that relationship in spousal terms, you're crossing a line and starting to invest emotionally in the relationship. That could be harmful to your career and your relationship outside the workplace. "At the very least, I think it's micro cheating. And I definitely think it's an emotional affair," she added. Manhattan psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert agreed, saying that giving a Valentine's card to a co-worker blurs the line between professional and personal and could signal a dangerous attachment to someone you're not married to. "If you're giving your 'work spouse' a Valentine's card, you have to ask yourself—would you be comfortable if your real spouse saw it? If the answer is no, that's a red flag," he told Fox News Digital. "In the best cases, a 'work spouse' is a close, platonic colleague who provides support in a stressful environment. But it can also create emotional dependencies that undermine real relationships. If you find yourself confiding in your 'work spouse' more than your actual partner, or keeping secrets, that's a problem," he said. For married employees, having a work spouse could do more harm than good, he cautioned. "At the end of the day, respect and honesty are key. If you wouldn't feel comfortable being upfront with your real spouse about your work spouse, then you probably need to take a step back and re-evaluate those boundaries," he article source: 'Work wife' Valentine's cards spark heated debate about appropriateness of workplace relationships
Fox News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Work wife' Valentine's cards spark heated debate about appropriateness of workplace relationships
A line of Valentine's Day cards out this holiday sparked outrage on social media and heated debate about the appropriateness of workplace relationships. In a now-viral TikTok, a woman shopping for Valentine's cards this week expresses shock to find cards addressed to a "work wife" or a "work husband." "Work wife" or "Work husband" is a term commonly used for a co-worker whom you have a close, supportive working relationship with, who is typically the opposite sex. The cards read, "For my work wife [or husband] on Valentine's Day. I've finally found someone just as inappropriate as me!" The woman filming the video gives the cards a thumbs down and asks, "Who approved this???" Internet users largely seemed to agree in the comment section, trashing the cards as crossing the line. "HR [Human Resources] will be busy this month," one comment said. "Why not just make an affair partner card?" another asked. Over on X, several commentators argued that being married and having a "work spouse" was foolish and dangerous. "If the terms 'work wife' and 'work husband' are harmless, why not call it 'work brother' or 'work sister'? Because it's not platonic," one person posted. Christian conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey also criticized the idea: "Your spouse doesn't have a playful 'work wife' or 'work husband.' They're just cheating on you - emotionally or otherwise," she posted. Former athlete and conservative commentator T.J. Moe also wrote, "The sanctity of marriage matters. Mocking it with the idea of a 'work wife' is foolishly self-sabotaging. If you have a shred of common sense, you will avoid this nonsense." Fox News Digital spoke to relationship experts to get their take on the viral cards and whether it was harmless to have a "work spouse." Dr. Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist who works with married couples, said she thought the cards were inappropriate in the workplace and could invite misunderstanding or even be considered sexual harassment. For those already in relationships, Ludwig said the biggest issue was that "husband" and "wife" suggests an intimate, unique relationship. To call someone else your spouse, even light-heartedly, could invite misunderstanding and threaten your primary relationship. "It is playing with fire because it's labeling something in a way that dismisses appropriate boundaries," she said. Relationship expert Susan Trombetti, CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, called the cards a "slippery slope" into "emotional affair" territory. "I think they're treacherous," she said. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with having a close relationship with a co-worker, she argued that when you start classifying that relationship in spousal terms, you're crossing a line and starting to invest emotionally in the relationship. That could be harmful to your career and your relationship outside the workplace. "At the very least, I think it's micro cheating. And I definitely think it's an emotional affair," she added. Manhattan psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert agreed, saying that giving a Valentine's card to a co-worker blurs the line between professional and personal and could signal a dangerous attachment to someone you're not married to. "If you're giving your 'work spouse' a Valentine's card, you have to ask yourself—would you be comfortable if your real spouse saw it? If the answer is no, that's a red flag," he told Fox News Digital. "In the best cases, a 'work spouse' is a close, platonic colleague who provides support in a stressful environment. But it can also create emotional dependencies that undermine real relationships. If you find yourself confiding in your 'work spouse' more than your actual partner, or keeping secrets, that's a problem," he said. For married employees, having a work spouse could do more harm than good, he cautioned. "At the end of the day, respect and honesty are key. If you wouldn't feel comfortable being upfront with your real spouse about your work spouse, then you probably need to take a step back and re-evaluate those boundaries," he added.
