Dating in Your Early 20s vs. Dating in Your Late 20s

Updated on July 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM

I've been single for most of my 20s because of . . . err . . . feminism. And as I enter my late 20s I've started to notice the dating scene is, well, different. Gone are the days of shallow standards and thinking going over to "watch a movie" at 2 a.m. counted as a date. Maybe I'm just jaded or just exhausted, or maybe I'm just growing up. Whatever it is, the things I once got giddy over now make me roll my eyes.

For example, early 20s Gabi would feel so wanted and validated if her latest crush texted her constantly. Late 20s Gabi feels stalked if her phone is constantly blowing up and apparently also enjoys talking in the third person. Am I alone in this? Here are some other differences between dating in your early 20s vs. late 20s I discovered. What are some of yours?

MTV

Ordering a Drink in Your Early 20s

Which one has the most alcohol in it?

Universal Pictures

Ordering a Drink in Your Late 20s

I'll just have a glass of your Sauvignon Blanc.

Paramount Pictures

Gossiping About Your Date to Your Friends in Your Early 20s

Loves to party? We're basically soulmates.

Paramount Pictures

Gossiping About Your Date to Your Friends in Your Late 20s

Yeah . . . I think that's a drinking problem.

NBC

Standards in Your Early 20s

Must be over 6 feet tall, look like a model, and have a six pack.

HBO

Standards in Your Late 20s

Do they have a job? No? How about a car? Great!

Paramount Pictures

After a First Date in Your Early 20s

I’M IN LOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEEEEE!!!!

Warner Bros.

After a First Date in Your Late 20s

Casey, who?

Searchlight Pictures

Sleepovers in Your Early 20s

Every. Single. Night.

NBC

Sleepovers in Your Late 20s

You want to sleep alone. Every. Single. Night.

Paramount Pictures

Getting Ready For a Date in Your Early 20s

Includes a shower, a dress (approved by sending a selfie to your five closest), heels, and most of your day perfecting your hair and makeup.

NBC

Getting Ready For a Date in Your Late 20s

Includes whatever you wore to work that day and a thorough google background check on your date.

Paramount Pictures

Getting a Text After 1 a.m. From Your Crush in Your Early 20s

How cute! They can't sleep without me! That means I'm girlfriend status, right? Can't wait to make this Facebook official!

Getting a Text After 1 a.m. From Your Crush in Your Late 20s

No, I am not "up."

NBC

What a Dinner Date Means in Your Early 20s

Going dutch at Chipotle, but it's fine cause they like really like me.

Disney

What a Dinner Date Means in Your Late 20s

Reservations? Check! Silverware? Check! It's on them? LOCK THIS ONE DOWN.

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Dating in Your Early 20s vs. Dating in Your Late 20s

Ordering a Drink in Your Early 20s

Ordering a Drink in Your Late 20s

Gossiping About Your Date to Your Friends in Your Early 20s

Gossiping About Your Date to Your Friends in Your Late 20s

Standards in Your Early 20s

Standards in Your Late 20s

After a First Date in Your Early 20s

After a First Date in Your Late 20s

Sleepovers in Your Early 20s

Sleepovers in Your Late 20s

Getting Ready For a Date in Your Early 20s

Getting Ready For a Date in Your Late 20s

Getting a Text After 1 a.m. From Your Crush in Your Early 20s

Getting a Text After 1 a.m. From Your Crush in Your Late 20s

What a Dinner Date Means in Your Early 20s

What a Dinner Date Means in Your Late 20s

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