If you’re not familiar with the Standard Creepiness Rule, it says that you shouldn’t date anyone under the age of ((Your Age / 2) + 7). It’s considered a “standard” rule because the dividing adjusts your dating pool over time, since older couples with age gaps are more socially acceptable than younger couples with equal age gaps. For example, a 78-year-old dating a 68-year-old is a lot less creepy than a 22-year-old dating a 12-year-old. Following the rule, a 78-year-old can date anyone 46 or older, whereas the 22-year-old must date someone at least 18.
But when most people think about the rule, they only think about the low end of the spectrum. If you turn the equation around, ((Your Age — 7) * 2) gives you the absolute oldest person you are allowed to date without being creepy. That same 22-year-old could be seeing a nice 30-year-old, and that 78-year-old could have a 142-year-old sugar daddy.
Mo and I were talking about this the other day, and we agree that although the rule is sound in principle, it would be very weird to date anyone our sister’s age (or younger), so I will have a constant rule of (My Age — 4) for the rest of my life. Eddie and I talked about the same thing, and he mentioned that our friend Tyler had no problem with this and was glad that his sister had turned 18, so he could now hit on her friends. And of course Eddie is an only child, so he has nothing to worry about.
Anyways, I bring this up because I noticed an attractive girl on the bus ride home today. And then I realized she was getting off on the stop after me, which means she’s probably a freshman, and thus out of my non-creepy range.
wow, creepiness reduced to a mathematical equation. i was not familiar with this.
don’t sweat it, dinh … maybe she just works at the DC?
Posted by Kim on October 9th, 2007.
Half plus seven rule, eh.… I think it’s pretty good standard to go by. I once told it to my friend, who got upset because when he was 17 he dated a 13 year old. Hahahaha ugh.
I’m pickier than that, and pickier than Age 4 or Age — 4. For me it’s probably Age 2. SADLY, the few guys who do hit on me are almost ALWAYS younger (1–3 yrs) or older by way too much (28 ).
And Dinh, there’s nothing wrong with dating a freshman at your age, technically. But I would definitely make fun of you for it anyway.
Posted by Thupac on October 9th, 2007.
Well it depends on how you round. I bet there are some 19 yo freshmen, not to mention some transfer students live at Castillian, and normal people live at Piñón. In other words, go on facebook and stalk. If she’s 19 , wait in the bushes around Castilian, and ambush when you get the chance. At that point, you should bring up the equation and she will no longer think you’re creepy, actually inviting you into her domicile for some Halo 3 co-op action.
Posted by jimmy on October 9th, 2007.
[…] I’m not sure where it falls into the General Creepiness Rule if you are attracted to a fictional character who falls (just barely) outside of the non-creepy […]
Posted by (Tax) Exceptionally Wrong | Dinhternet on January 29th, 2009.