Ice Skates Senior

Ice Skates Senior

Good manners are needed in most human interactions, so it should come as no surprise that there are rules for good etiquette when engaging in internet dating. Most of them will seem like ordinary common sense, but some are not what people usually expect. For the most part, these rules apply to people of all ages; however, some are especially appropriate for people who are 50 and older.

1. Women or men may initiate communication.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but many women over the age of 50 will definitely prefer for men to initiate contact. Some women may send a wink or a flirt but wait for a response from the man before replying with an e-mail. I have had experiences in which women over 50 started contact with me but asked me not to tell anyone because they felt embarrassed at their boldness. For younger women this may not be an issue. Very often men of all ages begin communications and women are the recipients of more messages than they can handle, thus explaining the failure of many women to respond.

2. Failure to respond to initial contact is not rudeness and may often happen to men.

Sometimes, as previously mentioned, women have too many communications to respond to all of them. Many times either men or women will look at the profile of the person sending the communication and decide there is no interest in further conversation. It is reasonable to expect that many efforts to reach out will go unrewarded. In my case, I found that I received responses to winks or e-mails only about 20% of the time; nevertheless, I found myself quite busy meeting women on a weekly basis because the people who did respond were eager to meet me.

3. Corresponding with and seeing several people at one time are permissible.

In ordinary dating, it may be considered two-faced or inconsiderate to see multiple people at one time. With online dating, the presumption is that each person is checking out other possibilities until there is a clear agreement to be exclusive. This kind of agreement should not be expected before several dates and it would be rude for one party to want exclusivity before there has been ample opportunity for each to get to know the other very well.

4. Be careful with humor and sarcasm in your e-mails with your partner.

In general, you should keep your correspondence light-hearted. What you intend as humor may not seem funny to the other person and may even cause hard feelings. Sarcasm can also be misinterpreted and lead to a negative impression.

5. Be sparing in the use of capital letters in your e-mails.

Frequent use of all caps comes across as shouting and rudeness.

6. Refer to the other person's profile as you communicate.

Making positive references to the profile shows that you have paid attention to what they have to say and will facilitate smoother communications. This also shows that you are intent on finding out about them and not just out to talk about yourself.

7. Avoid profanity.

People who are over 50 will usually find profanity insulting and repugnant. People of all ages will probably be offended if you use profanity freely.

8. Don't be a cheap skate when you meet for a date.

Women over 50 will probably assume the man will pick up the bill unless other arrangements are discussed early in the date. If you want to "go Dutch," then say so very early. I have also heard of cases in which people met at a restaurant and one party didn't order any food or drink in order to save money - which was correctly interpreted by the other person as extreme rudeness.

9. Don't try to find out addresses or kiss until the third date.

It's a good idea for both parties to protect their anonymity until the third date. Having three dates establishes some mutual attraction and intention to follow up with more dates. In this case it is appropriate for the woman to tell the man where she lives and let him pick her up for a date. A good night kiss is also appropriate beginning with the third date.

10. End relationships with a short, polite e-mail.

Once you have met at least once, you should not just terminate someone through your internet service without a brief good-bye note. Even if you have met for as many as three dates, you can still use e-mail rather than having to break up in-person on by telephone. There is no need to provide a lengthy or detailed explanation of your feelings. All that is needed is a courteous statement that you see no future in the relationship and wish them the best for the future.

Gordon Scott Edwards is the author of the memoir Internet Safari, Finding Love Online at 65. More online dating tips for senior citizens can be found on his website at [http://www.gordonscottedwards.com].

Cruise Vacations Destination for Seniors

If you've been dreaming of traveling abroad and experiencing some of the most beautiful and exotic destinations in the world, there's no better choice than taking a relaxing cruise. In stark contrast to the endless lines of crabby travelers, crowded airport terminals or long hours behind the wheel that other vacation options feature, cruises let you sit back with a tropical drink in your hand as you travel effortlessly to your destination.

If you're worried that cruising is better suited to younger travelers, think again. Although many cruise lines have recently touted family packages in order to expand business, seniors still make up a very sizable chunk of each ship's roster of passengers. One of the most relaxing yet stimulating ways to see the world, cruises only require their guests to be young at heart.

If you've never been on a cruise before, a world of relaxation, fun and remarkable landscapes awaits you. Take a few moments to learn the basics of what you can expect on your future cruise and consider a few popular destinations worth looking into.

Accommodations

The first thing you'll need to consider when finally booking your cruise is accommodations. The accommodation fee is your pass for boarding the ship and includes your quarters as well as most basic amenities, including meals. Rooms aboard cruise ships vary greatly and can match any traveler's needs or budget.

The most lavish and spacious cabins on cruise ships are located near the top deck and on a side. They always offer large windows and sometimes even feature private balconies where you can relax and take in a Caribbean sunset or two along the way. Of course, these rooms are also the most expensive, but their cost is well worth the privacy and space you'll enjoy.

More outgoing or budget minded travelers may opt for a more reasonable rate, which will be more in line with smaller rooms on a lower deck. The most affordable cabins aboard most ships will be located near the center and close to or below the water line, which means no windows. These rooms, however are usually the most stable and can be a great value for travelers who plan to use their rooms only for sleeping.

Activities on the Ship

Cruise ships are something like floating resort towns. As cruise lines continue to add bigger and more luxurious ships to their fleets year after year, your options for excitement, entertainment and unique experiences increase exponentially. Depending on the cruise you book, you can expect to find anything from a full sized ice skating rink to a rock climbing wall and more during your trip.

Cruise ships offer plenty of things to do for both busy bodies and travelers who would prefer to kick back and unwind. Party animals will find no good excuses to miss out on a whole daily schedule of mingling opportunities, Broadway style and quality shows, comedians, live bands, movies, casinos and more. For active guests, ships also feature fully outfitted gyms with daily classes, lots of pools and even water parks.

For the more relaxation fixated guests, top of the line spas offer soothing treatments for the body and mind while few things can beat lounging on deck with a cold drink. Couples will enjoy lots of opportunities to relax in privacy as well in several spas and hot tubs.

Activities on Shore and Destinations

Of course, the main purpose for taking a cruise is getting out and seeing the world. There are virtually as many destination possibilities offered by major cruise lines today, and your options are limited only by navigable ports. Here are a few cruise lovers' favorites to get your ideas flowing.

Alaska

For nature lovers and adventure seekers, nothing beats the spectacular vistas and personal hands on experiences of an Alaskan cruise. In addition to taking in the amazing sights of North America's wild western coast from the comfort of your ship, you'll get to learn how to mush a team of sled dogs and trek across an active glacier on this trip.

The Caribbean

Perhaps the most well known of cruise destinations, the Caribbean islands offer near perfect weather, white sand beaches and warm, clear waters that are well known for their world class snorkeling and scuba diving.

Tahiti and the South Pacific

Regarded as a veritable paradise on earth, the South Pacific offers some of the most exotic landscapes and cultures you're likely to encounter on a cruise. This amazing trip will let you experience the slow paced lifestyle of Tahiti while exploring tropical coves and secluded palm lined beaches.

Regardless of your age or disposition, cruising represents one of the most incredible, exciting and relaxing vacations available to travelers today. Take a few moments now to do some research on the cruise vacation of a lifetime.

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About the Author

Kim Hall is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and options such as cruise vacations.