Would you think it was odd if a younger person wanted to befriend you?

I wouldn’t. I have friends of all ages. I’m 68, I think my least friend is 80 and currently my youngest is 50.

But age really is just a number.

Many of us gravitate towards similar people, similar interests and similar ages, but when much younger I did have a couple of female friends much older than I was, probably about 15-20 years older.

When we were newly married all but one of our neighbours were similar in age to us.The exception was Liz the mother of a man who had lived alone and Liz lived with her older son in South Africa.
We had one night out every week sometimes to the pub for music sometimes a medium at someone’s house to scare the bejesus out of us and we would just hang out in the garden when the weather allowed.
Liz was an integral part of our wee group ,we were all early -mid twenties she was mid 70,s the age I am now.
I,m sad to say we lost a few over the years including Liz who was in her late 80s when she died.She is remembered fondly by those who survive and we all miss her wee face and her wicked sense of humour.
I hope you find a “Liz” to brighten up your life ,but being older doesn,t always mean wiser….she was very young at heart

We certainly have a number of friends about 20+ years older than us if we think about it but we don't generally even think about the age difference. They're just out friends among others

I’m 66 and my friends range from 40 to 70 I would love to be that lady you’re wanting to befriend. The world is a better place with as many friends we have.

Judging by many replies on an earlier thread about a young woman seen to be ‘over friendly’ at a gym pool, there are clearly those who find it suspicious.
I would hope to look for the best in anyone and believe that age is no bar to friendship. Age is only a number isn’t it?
There are of course different priorities and preoccupations for different generations and I’m not certain it would necessarily work for me.
Are you sure you are not looking for a substitute Mum/granny?

Quote FranA Sat 01-Aug-26 19:33:10
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This thread

When I was your age, I tried be nice to my huband’s business partner’s elderly wife. I had a young family, so I was always cooking and would regularly send them a share.
One day when I went to visit her, she made an off-the-cuff remark that a lot of young people befriend older people, hoping that they will inherit a share of their money and property.
That made me wonder whether that was what she thought of me. So I gradually reduced my food donations and gradually stopped.
So be wary of befriending an older person. Your kindness might get misconstrued. Good luck

It would depend on the person.

Thank you to everyone who has replied.
I don’t think I am wanting a substitute mum or gran- I don’t need mothering. I think it’s more a generational “been there done that” perspective I’d like- sometimes even with friends it’s a bit of an echo chamber because we tend to go through similar things at similar times/ are exposed to similar (albeit targeted via algorithms) commentary and points of view. Someone mentioned being seen as a potential scammer/only wanting friendship with some kind of eventual monetary benefit and I think this is another reason I’ve asked the question. I would never want to make anyone uncomfortable, I think I’m probably a bit too earnest and I genuinely just value mixed company and the wisdom that comes with age.

One place to meet people of all ages is your “local” pub. I visit mine a couple of times a week and have friends ranging from 20 to 80+. Although I do realise this might not be a practical solution

Join a choir or a knitting group or whatever interests you.
I never think of the age of people just whether we hit it off.

The best friendships develop naturally and mostly gradually over a shared interest. They meet mutual needs.

At any stage of life I would have run a mile from someone who started from the premise of “I want a friend. You’ll do.”😬

I have friends of all ages, especially work colleagues who have become friends.

I don’t think it’s strange at all. I’m 67 and have friends of 80 and one of 43.
I’ve made a lot of friends initially from our village pub and have made friends through dog walking . Age isn’t an issue and I find talking to people of different ages really interesting.

No. Two of my friends are in their eighties.
One has sadly got dementia now, but she’s still quite wise.

Amateur drama groups always seem to have people of all ages in them. You don't have to want to be on stage as there are all sorts of other ways you can help out. You get to meet all sorts of people and after a while it is a bit like being a member of a big sometimes dysfunctional family.

We have inherited friends of our DDs whom we have known for years due to our DDs inviting them to stay with us when they were at uni. Now they still drop in with their husbands/wives and children. We chat a lot and laugh a lot and sometimes go out for a meal. Our DDs often joke that we see more of them than they do.

When I joined the WI years ago, there were a few ladies in their 70s and 80s who I got friendly with, Sadly, now, they are no longer with us but I am so grateful for the times I spent with them, heard their stories of the 40s and 50s and one I even helped to climb the stairs of a double decker and ride at the top in the front seat. She loved it. So, yes, it is lovely to be friends with older people but you must be watchful to keep it social and not that you up up as some kind of carer.

I wouldn't mind, assuming it naturally developed that way or was based on a common interest, or something we clicked over. Age doesn't really matter among adults for that. Any mutually enjoyable friendship is a good one.

It depends. My sil’s mother was befriended by a much younger single woman, in her mid to late 20 s ( she was about 75). I felt a bit suspicious as did her daughter. After a while the woman started to ‘borrow’ things and then it led to asking for cash loans. At that point her daughter stepped in and confronted the woman. She disappeared.

I agree with Lathyrus3 about running a mile when anyone says "I want to be your friend".

Some years ago when I was renting my LL asked me "wouldn't you like a lady friend" hinting that she wanted to be it. I quickly said that ours was a business relationship and I preferred to keep it that way so as not to complicate matters. In fact I was doing things I didn't wish her to know about (nothing illegal) and didn't want to risk a situation where she turned up without notice.

Looking back when I was a mature student at uni I invited a couple of younger students round for a meal and they both backed off sharpish. I probably came over as too "looking for a friend" and they didn't want to get involved with someone the same age as their mum. Understandable.

I agree with other posters about relatives being suspicious of a younger person (or person of any age) who suddenly befriends their older relative - particularly when they themselves have neglected said relative. There is probably a sense of guilt in the mix. Unexpected situations can arise.

It is probably best to allow friendships to develop organically from a mutual interest.

During the lockdown I arranged (via a local charity) to chat to several housebound people and got very close to one lady. (We never met or knew one another's addresses - that was part of the rules). We had many interests in common and I used to look forward to talking to her. One morning when I called at the regular time it was answered by a woman who claimed to be her daughter. She was quite rude and inferred that I was harassing her mother. She told me not to call again and would not allow me to speak to my friend to confirm her wishes.. I reported this to the charity who sent round a visitor. The matter ended up with social services. I don't know any details but I suspect there may have been some safeguarding issue. I never got to speak to the lady again although the charity told me she was "safe".

Boundaries are for land not relationships. My closest friends were twice my age and the opposite sex I adored them. I trusted them with my life and never questioned our friendship.
Everyone is an individual age is just a number you click with some people with some you don't. Your gut feeling is what matters follow it for the friends you want.

A lot of my friends are older than me. It never occurred to me that some people might see me as trying to get into their will or exploit them. It's a friendship just the same as I'd have with anyone my age or younger. We have something in common and enjoy the conversation. That's all it is.