Do young women mind if an older guy strikes up a conversation?  

Hello casper I will accompany you with this mission as I find it interesting

Personally (Young woman at 19), I'm okay talking to older men as long as they don't delve into certain subjects. I find it creepy when older men who are not close friend of the family or relatives ask me about my appearance and my love-life. Whenever an older man asks me a question like, "Do you work-out?" or "Do you have a boyfriend?" warning bells sound in my head. If you want young women to be comfortable talking to you, then steer clear of those subjects. Subjects that I feel are safe are books, movies, television, and education. In a clean context though. As in, clean books and movies. When in doubt, just talk about the weather. The weather is always a safe subject.

I'm 24 and I have no problems taking to older persons. I just get freaked when they start asking personal questions like 'do you have a boyfriend?'. It just makes us feel like you want to do more than talk with us.

I suggest staying away from asking too personal questions until you know the person better or if she brings it up in the conversation then discuss away. I met this older guy in the bus once and we started talking because he asked if I liked the song playing, which I didn't but he did and he asked why and from there the conversation progressed to movies etc. for the whole 1hr long bus ride. It was fun ^_^.

i think what you have to do is to just appear friendly. strike up a conversation based on the situation and you will have to at least know that the person you tried to talk to would respond. there are just people who may not respond talking to anyone whom they don't know

I agree with the younger girls (me 31) that it is alright to engage in conversations with older men as long as it doesn't feel like the young girl is getting hit on or something. Or that the conversation is not too uncomfortable.

With most older men I talked with, we talk about business and work matters seeing that they have way more experience on those matters than me. And in our place, when I talk about politics with older men.

ha ha girls from the age of early teen really like when i talk to them i dont undertandd why they want bf at that age

Talking to a younger woman is the same as talking to a woman of your own age group. When you first meet someone it is always better taking the time to get to know them without asking personal details about boyfriends, lovers, etc. The only real difference between the two age groups is you are generally going to find more mature women in the older age ranges, which is simply because they have lived longer and had time to learn to deal with life's little oddities.

That being said this does not mean that a younger woman and older man can not have a relationship, simply that it is a bad idea to come across as a guy in the middle of a midlife crisis. I am 32 now, but when I was 21 I had a relationship with a gentleman who was 56. So should it end up heading in that direction for both of you don't feel like a creep or anything, such matters don't come with an age restriction (as long as legal adults).

We don't ask for ages here we just get on very well with each other.

I guess be friendly,nice and Also do not stand to close.

ah,Casper..I salute men like you.men who are about brains and personality and is interested to strike a conversation just to know what a woman thinks about a certain topic.I do agree with you that when you talk to people your age,well you get a bit of different ideas because older people think differently and younger people.you cannot really blame a lot of younger women who will be grossed out and think that an someone much,much older that they are will get their number.it is much better to approach women who are in a bookstore.from there you can ask her about a book she is browsing or reading.