Dating After 50: Revealing Secrets. Or not.

An overwhelming number of people who choose to enter the dating world after age 50 have already lived at least 50 years.  And, if they are like most people over 50 (and many people under,) some of their early choices in life, while not resulting in life in a maximum security prison, may have still been in the category of  “Actions I Took Which May Have Been Beneath My Highest Possibility.”

Unless you have perpetrated crimes against humanity as a youthful despot, and your behavior is more than likely a matter of public record, the indiscretions you may have involved yourself in may now be causing you a bit of conflict.  Just how much do you reveal to a new relationship?

As a very broke and self-supporting 20-year-old college senior, I donated my eggs in exchange for money. It was a horrendous experience, and I rarely speak about it. Although I assume that some children resulted, I regret my participation and do not wish to know the results. I am now 35, engaged and planning to start a family. Must I tell my fiancé that there may be teenagers walking around with my genetic material?

We suggest you not tell your fiance.  However, we do suggest that in another 15 or 20 years or so, you check in with all these offspring.  There may be someone among them with the financial resources to care for you in your declining years, especially if the children you produce with your fiance turn out to be slugs.

A friend tried stripping at a “gentleman’s club” when she was just out of college to earn some quick money before starting law school. It was 30 years ago, but she still cringes (she’s since become a women’s rights attorney) at the memory and isn’t eager to reveal this little blip in her career path to her new boyfriend. Is she wrong?

First of all, cut out the “friend” crap.  We know it’s you. And the boyfriend of a women’s rights attorney is no less deserving of seeing his girlfriend clad in pasties and a G-string sliding upside down on a pole than is some sweaty drunk with crumpled dollar bills in his paw.

Back in college, I had an affair with my instructor.  Should I reveal?

Unless your grade went down even further after the affair, you can reveal this.

I have a large tattoo of Bill Clinton on my butt.  Should I have it removed?

Not before you post it on Facebook.

I briefly dated several men at the same time and has having sex with all of them.  What, exactly, should I reveal?

If you had sex with them individually, nothing.  If it was a group situation, do you have photos?  If so, please send them to this writer and a determination will be given.

In college, I once went out  and ordered a glass of beer.  I was underage, but the bartender didn’t ask for ID.  I drank the beer.

If this is the worst thing you have ever done, we suggest that you repeat your first 50 years.