A lot of older men also still cling to the old dating rules. Women shouldn't necessarily accept being mauled at dinner as just the modern rules of the road. (This hardly ever happens at the restaurants I frequent.)

Of course, a lot of this depends on personality and/or class, too. A singles event in Fort Lee, NJ is a far, far cry from a singles event in Fairfield, CT.

A lot of young people have problems with older people dating.

I tell them a snatch of conversation I heard on TV or radio, I forget where or when or who, but this woman said, in joyous recollection,

"Ohhhh! To be 70 again!"

Ms Roiphe,
I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you on a date, but it sounds as if you know how to handle yourself. Good for you, and hang in there!

I look forward to this segment. As someone whose father is currently extremely sick from brain cancer, I have been thinking a lot about how my mother will handle his passing. They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. If the guest has any thoughts on the things children can do for their parent when she is widowed, I would appreciate hearing them.