What is an appropriate term to describe a relationship when you are older? Boyfriend/girlfriend seems ridiculous when you are both in your 50s, partner implies you live together. I just call him my friend.

21 comments

1. Boyfriend / girlfriend

   Partner

   You’ve ruled the correct options out for no reason

2. Your post history is one hell of a ride!

3. You need to get over your irrational thoughts. You are the one being ridiculous lol no offence intended. I would feel offended too if I was him. I’ve never came across anyone who thinks “partner” means you live with someone. Youse are boyfriend and girlfriend. Wait , now I understand….. are you trying to drop a hint? You want him to get down on one knee and then you can call him “husband” ? Now, is that the appropriate term you really want to say? 😂😂

4. Partner.. the alternative is Fuckbuddy..

5. Why not ‘manfriend’ if boyfriend sounds too juvenile for you?

6. Other half

   My fella
   My chap

   Him indoors – as you dont live together, maybe him outdoors/him otherdoors

7. Just say girlfriend / boyfriend. I am happy with that and I’m not a child!

8. We’re in our 50’s but do live together so I say partner. Still feels a bit formal, like I’m filling in a form ( I used to work at the council and partner was the prescribed language so it’s maybe that ). I would feel equally daft saying boyfriend. Actually, my partner went to pick up a prescription for me yesterday, it’s a controlled drug that I usually get myself so they were careful and asked for ID then asked who he was he said: “er, boyfriend ?” then went red as he felt silly. Nearly didn’t get em 😂

   My mum was widowed then met someone else who she was with for 18 years but never married or lived with. She called him her “gentleman friend”.

9. My man

10. I get why he’s offended, how would you feel if he started referring to you as somebody he knows.

    There isn’t an age limit to having a boyfriend, but if it bothers you that much then go for partner, despite what you think, it doesn’t imply that you live together.

11. Hmmm…. gentleman caller? Mate? Life companion? Lover?

    I get what you mean but all the alternatives are cringey too!!!

12. Partner.

13. Other half?

14. I’ve heard *ladyfriend*.

15. Gentleman caller

16. Partner. I see it all the time in the news. Gay couples use it. Straight couples unmarried in their 40s etc use it. Describes anyone in a relationship not a standard traditional marriage.

17. I think the terms are perfectly fine… you have a negative connotation with the term from something in your past. You should go revisit that part and rationalise it out.

    But if you really can’t say it, just say “my partner”. People really don’t care if you live together or not, it’s quite literally the biggest thing you’re thinking about but to the person you’re saying it to, they’re too worried about their own image/conciseness/thoughts to give a shit about you.

    Stop overthinking it – people really don’t care!

18. I’m don’t think partner absolutly implies living together any more than gf/bf would at that age. Partner does imply longer term more serious I think.

19. Could you step in a time machine and go back to when you could call your other half *beau* or *fancy man*…?

    I agree with all the other posters that *partner* implies that you’re in a long-term relationship, no more and no less.

20. What is wrong with boyfriend/girlfriend when you are old?

21. Bird / fella