F53
Age is just a number or is it?
January 17 2026
That said, over time I’ve met and chatted with quite a few people who’ve adjusted theirs. Some subtly, some… not so subtly. We all see the occasional profiles that feel blatantly misleading, and others that might simply belong to people who haven’t aged quite as kindly as they hoped.
Of course, there are plenty of reasons someone might change their age.
Maybe a younger person wants to seem more experienced or credible.
Maybe someone older who shaves off a few years or more to appeal to a younger demographic.
Or possibly they’ve always been told they “look younger” and decide to run with it.
I’m genuinely curious to hear other perspectives on this.
Why do some people alter their age?
Why do others feel comfortable keeping it real?
And what sits in between those two choices?
No judgement here, just interested in the thinking behind it.
Comments
OpalRose
5 months ago
There is an absolute, immediate, drop off in interest once one person in a couple, or a single, turns 40. We’ve joked about it with friends and they’ve noticed it too.
That’s why.
I don’t really care. I’m more about personalities, and I’m personally stoked at how I look for my age. But I still would look for ‘under 40’ if I was searching.
People don’t want to grow old. And it’s ’just a number’. So they change it.
I know a 56 year old who is still a rhp 39. And he can pass for 39. Makes it awkward for his birthday parties though. 🤣
There is another who is a regular in the chat rooms who hasn’t aged in five years.
People put ‘athletic’ yet don’t look it. People put 9” but that’s only with a Temu tape measure. People use filters. People use old photos. People bend over to tighten butts. People dye hair to hide greys. Botox. Push up bras. People look up to tighten chins. All to present themselves in a more positive way or make themselves feel more confident etc. It’s not hard to filter through before a meet.
BooBear68
5 months ago
I love this!
I love my age, and I look pretty good for my age.
Everyone puts forward their best features on their profile😍 I will not put .. kind of chubby in the mid section, will not ride on top … so my double chins aren’t showing. My ass only looks good at certain angles so just stay on the left side🤣
I agree people will ‘tweek’ their profiles to catch the eye of a certain audience.
Happy hunting All❤️
Mis👻xx
Sescalinata
5 months ago
I looked a lot different when I joined 11 years ago, but we all age and you just make the most of what you have. I dont see the point in lying about my age but I can totally understand why others do it, I agree with Opal, attention wanes once you are in the over 40/50 age range. I would be disappointed if I met someone who had shaved a few years off their age and used pictures from a few years ago. No one is forever young. But you are forever you. Love yourself and what you look like. Confidence is far more attractive than dishonesty.
JustAManNextDoor
5 months ago
As rare people go, I think you’re in good company. It may be different for women, but as a man I’ve never felt the need to smudge my age. I could post photos from ten years ago, back when the abs were visible, the dad bod was still theoretical, and grey hair was more of a rumour, but that wouldn’t be honest.
At 51, there’s the usual wear and tear you’d expect from any classic. Every wrinkle, soft bit, and silver strand in my photos is genuine. And really, age is just a number. What matters far more is how you feel and the life experience you bring with you.
As for why some people feel compelled to fudge the numbers, there could be many reasons. Good luck to them; if it works, why not? It just doesn’t mean the rest of us need to join in. After all, we are all imperfectly perfect!
BarberBoss1981
5 months ago
Its the same as using filters on photos or using photos that are more than 10 years old...it might up your chances in the chat but they are going to notice when you actually meet.
I think my face looks younger than my 44 years but I know my body tells the truth...ive never been scared of getting older, its a privilege denied to many...some of the stupid shit ive done over they years, im grateful to still be here.
You can put as many fabrications as you want on your profile...when you meet...they are going to know.!!! And in my opinion thats more embarrassing than telling the truth in the first place hahaha
seekandplay
5 months ago
I have no shame in sharing my real age, 40’s have been my best years yet and if someone doesn’t want a 43 year old milf in the best years of her life, then it’s their loss!
I did have a 23 year old message me a few weeks ago that he ‘loves being with old women’ and that hit me with a bit of WTF… perhaps ‘older’ but…. Old? Yikes. Bruised the ego just a little.
I also did meet a man who then proceeded to tell me when we met in person, he was 8 years older than what he said it was on RHP, due to the very reason you mentioned - he was hesitant to share his real age. In fact now I reflect, 3 men I’ve met in person have done this. I love older men, so I wish they wouldn’t but I do understand why.
I’ve left dates mid drink because of things that have been different on their profile and early conversation, only for them to share the truth once we’ve met in real life. Never about age though, I brush that one over… doesn’t bother me.
Cucknshells
5 months ago
My age is correct but I have thought about keeping it at 55 sometimes. I know of other people who cap it at 55 so they aren't cut off from events.
Personally, I don't care if someone age is exactly correct or not. Once you get over 50 it's all the same to me. The only thing I think age represents is life experience and intelligence. I prefer older men because of this. I like to meet someone I can relate to and have common experiences with.
Shells xx
PolyT73
5 months ago
I'm going to be open and honest and say that I have shaved a couple of years off my age in the past. There seems to be a magical cut off at 50 for a lot of women. And personally I enjoy the "older guy"/Daddy dynamic and I guess I thought it would help. I have always used current photos and I'm always told I look nowhere near my age and I generally don't feel it. But the age thing was an insecurity that I've worked through like a lot of other things and I now realise it was always a non issue. There are amazing sexy younger women, sexy women my age and older and the chemistry and connection always trumps age or looks anyway. In hindsight I would now say that age change/old photos etc are hiding an insecurity and are a window into other things that havent been dealt with and will cause issues in a connection. Being comfortable in yourself is way more sexy than your age
55SexyandSingle
5 months ago
I have always been 100% honest about my age, my body type, and have always used only current pics on my profile … why false advertise right ? 🫣
I think with age comes experience and confidence, along with the knowledge of one’s own body, which for me makes for much more enjoyable sex.
I have found that online, men tend to shave a few years off their age and generally add a few inches to their height and their endowment 🙄 … Both of which can become very obvious when one meets in person, although if a guy has lied about his height, I generally don’t get past the first meet to find out if he’s added inches elsewhere too.
For me age is a state of mind, as is sexiness, although I prefer to have partners no more than 10 years younger, as I like to have some similar interests outside the bedroom, and generally don’t go much older than me - I think that’s because I was married for 17 years to a man much older than myself and don’t want to be having sex again with someone so much older.
We all have our preferences when it comes to what we are attracted to sexually, but I’m a firm believer that honesty is the best policy, so people can make more informed decisions.
Newbietwosome
5 months ago
Our profile has our true ages and all our photos are recent. I have our preferences set for 10 years either way. I’m more likely to skip over a profile if they are too young.
Screamqueen
5 months ago
I remember, when I was in year 8, our whole class was paying out on this girl about the age difference between her & her creepy 20+ boyfriend. Guess what her response was?
LandR202
5 months ago
This was an awesome post - thank you OP. I also really enjoyed reading the comments as I have mixed feelings about this myself.
I don’t think my misgivings are about how I look or being seen so much as they’re about my experiences, successes, failures, losses and so on … it’s the sense of time passing by quickly and the window of opportunity becoming smaller. I think I just prefer to be in denial.
RHP User
5 months ago
Great post. I have never thought of changing my age, although in saying that, I have not met anyone from here probably because of that very reason. I only have interest in real people being real, and I think that women my age and older have so much to offer in terms of life experience, looks and personality. I don't really like the fake, but understand if people need to do that in order to feel good about themselves.
PolyT73
4 months ago
Maybe we just all need to stop chasing younger partners 🤷♂️😅
I would love to hear how people come up with the age limits they set. Is it based in prior experience? Or some assumption when the age gap becomes ick. Or do you stop at the age of your parents 😅
Brad Piit is 62 and Demi Moore is 63 and I'd still hookup with both of them without a second thought. But maybe thats just me showing my real age 🤔
selfless__lover
4 months ago
I had to go check my age to see what is on there and now I'm confused, does RHP not update ages as years pass? My age represents when I rejoined a few years ago and looks like it hasnt changed. Even though I look younger than 47, I have no issue telling people my age and am always open with it.
In the vanilla dating world I laugh as a lot of profiles say "actually 52 not 42 but can't change it", as if they didn't know what they were doing and set it younger to be included in people's searches despite their real age 😜
Pocketrocket602
4 months ago
Everything on my profile is honest, I have a real problem with people who think dishonesty is ok. One of my pics is over 10 years old but it's because I haven't changed at all in that time (not a face pic obviously 😄).
I've met people here who have admitted to changing their age just to get my attention as they were past my age range, they were only honest after meeting a couple times. They definitely don't look their age but it's still dishonesty imo. The irony of them expecting full disclosure from others is comical.
I once met with a guy who I'd been chatting online to, only to discover he looked 10+ years older than he said, was balding when pics he'd sent had a full head of hair and was at least 15kgs heavier than in his pics. I walked right past him as he wasn't recognisable, he called me back and when I realised who he was I kept walking. I don't care if I possibly bruised his ego, and the fact he didn't feel shame about what he'd done made me feel he was a predator. I blocked him on every possible way to communicate after sending a message about how he misrepresented himself and how disgusted I was he wasted my time with blatant lies. I'll call people out on it and won't make apologies for it, there's a reason there's dishonesty in the first place, because they know the truth is unappealing.
Hellsbells_83
4 months ago
Age is definitely just a number. Ive met some of the most beautiful, kind, funny, energetic humans ranging from 22 to 50. They all have presented qualities that for some of their ages, have been enlightening. And some, just plain dissapointing. You can go with the number as a personal preference for what u feel comfortable and expect for the "age", but for me specifically, I would have missed out on some mind blowing connections if I had stuck with my once fickle range of "must be between 35 to 45".
For someone who is 42 and living her best life, i say just have fun and try and ignore the number.
Age can define you or it can enlighten you....
Miss_Mocha
4 months ago
Im all about what you see is what you get. I love and appreciate realness. Just turned 41 and am honestly living my best sex life since being on this weird and wonderful place we call earth.
Im also honest about what I seek although if theres a great vibe and connection age is certainly no barrier, I tend to be more physically attracted to younger. Its all personal preference but definitely not a limitation to having a great experience or connection with someone of any age😊
CDN45
4 months ago
I came to terms that people will both:
Use photos that are misleading
Lie about their age
Lie about their marital status
Everyone has their own insecurities, or neuroses; how they choose to interact with the world is up to them.
So I only try to control what I can control; if you are able to video chat with a new prospective partner and something seems amiss, then you can trust your intuition.
All of this being said, I feel I have been very lucky on RHP - to have met genuine and real people (exactly as advertised!).
Nic11
4 months ago
In all my years on the normal apps and now still fairly new here, I've never lied about my age. If Im not your flavour that's not my problem. The thing is when you meet the truth is likely to come out anyway, and if you are lying about a basic what else are you lying about.
As a woman I am getting messages from both ends of the spectrum, happy to chat and if there's a connection happy to meet and see, pretty much no matter the age.Generousgent
4 months ago
My wife and I preferred to meet people in a social setting and see if there's an attraction based on our common interests and not on a number. We had hooked up with people older and younger and had a great time without the need to verify age. It would be a shame to have gotten on so well and just at the point of getting into it if someone asked 'oh by the way, how old are you?' Then it all comes to an abrupt halt because we don't fit their demographic.
boobsandbusted
4 months ago
We would rather look good for our age and be honest than when we meet people have them thinking wow ,your young years weren’t kind to you ,lol
DV8TASCPL
4 months ago
If you lie about your age, what else are you lying about?
We have no interest in couples or singles under 40 and if people arent interested in us because of ages, no loss to us. We love people in our age group, they tend to know what they want, no bs, no nonsense, maturity. Life experience enriches our experiences.RHP User
4 months ago
Never think about age, 56 on paper but young at heart. Age brings self awareness and knowing what really matters. I've never felt better
Lostyanumber
4 months ago
As I see it there's three elements to age. Firstly our chronological age that's the numerical difference between the present and our date of birth. Next is the biological age, this depends on our 'age & mileage' if you've had a hard life it may well show in health and appearance. Then there's the psychological age, as the T-shirts say, the the first 70 years of childhood are the hardest.
Online we all have our age displayed on our profile, in contrast when we meet in the real world we don't have our age on display so we take each other at face value. The combination of the above three combines to make us who are. As I'm still in the workplace and ride a motorcycle most people are surprised to hear my true age.RHP User
4 months ago
I am who I am, warts, scares, arthritis and age. Being non genuine on your profile isn't a good start. I can recall two occasions when I met with a lady who looked nothing like her pics. And why do some ladies post a number of pics that show them 10 or 15 years ago through to current age? I am only interested in now.
MrandMrsWAP
4 months ago
How funny. We are constantly told we both look under 40 but be honest with our profile age. I’d never lie about it. If people aren’t into us cause of the number they aren’t our people.
And funnily enough we prefer younger than us too 😆
Sexploration19
4 months ago
Mine and my partners age is correct. I love being 55. I would hate if I decreased my age and then some thought “she looks bad for 45”.
At 55 I’m having some of the best sex of my life.
kinkstez69
4 months ago
We are somewhat more understanding and we generally agree that we like to have a connection between couples or friends we like to share the same passion and experiences all together Don’t get me wrong I might be wrong but we like the older types of couples friends from 35- and upwards I don’t really connect with the younger kids sexual sorry to say I don’t think they have life experiences like we do in our situation
Age can be a factor in a situation for sexy fun times but overall all we get along with any age groupRHP User
a month ago
This is probably subjective person to person. We all have fears and I guess from my perspective where all my stats are accurate as men I believe peak in the whole picture here if you factor life experiences, sexual experiences. I still am working on my shit and have been since about 30 on and off but still pretty good for 42.
Mentally I have work to be right and make up for an experience with someone who was super connected with me but she liked things I didn’t like and it triggered my shortfalls. I had to be way more open minded and realistic that she was telling me what I wanted to protect my feelings.
It hurt to feel like I wasn’t enough but I’d be into the same thing with a group of females so I’m an idiot. She did her thing and I’m actually happy about her teaching me that way.
Maybe one day she will see I understand now and I won’t be into things but in this scene I’d be interested to watch as like a cheer squad haha. Life is too short to stop people doing what they want to do when that’s who they want to be. Grateful for the perspective now Anyway that’s what I am trying to rectify that is behind in development for where I want to connect and who.
My lack of experience in swinging is a negative but like age or other subjective traits that are instant red flags some are going to find intrigue so I’m just going to be transparent and open to communication with all sorts of people as I’m here to stop existing and not be so scared of some learning.
I bet I see some stuff that gives me multiple perspectives and insight into where I’m at.
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