By age 40, men and women have experienced life. Most singles -- though not all -- have been married before. By this age, people should have their "act together." So what are the 11 things a single woman should know about a guy she's interested in?
1. Is he mentally available? Has he healed and put his former relationships behind him? Is he able to go on a date without talking nonstop about his ex?
2. Has he been married before? If no, why not? Is he a confirmed bachelor, or was he just smart and avoided the hassles? Is he too focused on a business career or other interest to give enough to a relationship?
3. If he's been married, how many times? What happened in each situation? Does he accept some of the blame for his failures, or does he blame his ex(es)? Do his relationship problems keep repeating?
4. What are his relationship goals? Is he willing to make a commitment? Does he want to? If he's too set in his ways, you likely won't change him.
5. Is he financially stable? Does he have a career? You want to build a life together, but you don't want to be the one to finance it.
6. Are there skeletons in his closet? Are "red flags" flapping in the breeze? Does he drink excessively or take drugs? Trust your instincts. How do your friends feel about him?
7. How does he treat his mother and his children? Does he assume responsibility for them and ensure they are taken care of? He'll treat you the same way he treats them.
8. Does he make you No. 1? He can be busy as a beaver, but at the end of the day is he with you? If he's too preoccupied with other things and you are at priority-level five, move on.
9. Can you be independent and have your own interests? Does he have outside interests? Or is he jealous and insecure? Does he want to control you?
10. Is he mature? Or is he still a teen-ager at age 40? You want to have fun together and make every moment count, but his behavior must be sensible.
11. Are you attracted to him? Each of the above items is important, but without chemistry and romantic feelings, living with him day in and day out would be empty.
By age 40 or 50, you've already made enough relationship mistakes in your life. To avoid selecting someone who's not right for you, be sure the guy of your dreams still looks good after you've evaluated him using the above 11 topics as a guide. If he passes the test, you're on your way to romance.
