These Dating Tips From People In Their 30s Are So Spot-On, I'm Questioning Everything I Thought I Knew

Dating is HARD. And introducing yourself to someone, either IRL or through an app, is even harder. Throw in being over 30 and...you may as well just call yourself Bridget Jones at that point.

Or, you may as well call Bridget Jones. For dating advice! Which is exactly what I did when I sat down with Renée Zellweger herself to chat about the latest BJ installment — Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.

The defacto expert for dating over 30, I asked Renée for tips specifically on how to ask people out. AKA, how to get the dating-ball rolling when you see a cutie. Whether you're out or about or swiping, she had ONE crystal clear tip. SO WRITE THIS DOWN.

"Honesty and self-confidence is really nice. When [someone] comes up to you and says, "Hi, I think you're really interesting, or really pretty; I just wanna talk to you!" I just think when someone is authentically themselves, that's so attractive."

Her co-star and onscreen lover, Leo Woodall jumped in with a tip that Renée called "really sound advice" too. "Preparation for being rejected. If you're unprepared for being rejected, it's a lost cause."

Authenticity and preparation for rejection. ✍️ Noted! I thought this was a good start, so I took to r/datingoverthirty to look for other advice, too. Here were some I found genuinely super helpful:

1. "Just because someone is great, that doesn't mean they are great for you."

—lovedbutnotinlove77

2. "Make yourself look fabulous. Not too much texting. Let him call you."

—laidir7

4. "I would suggest going a club or church."

—[deleted user]

5. "Just because someone likes you doesn’t mean they want a relationship (with you). Attraction and commitment are two different independent things, and I think some people forget that."

—emeyem

6. "Chemistry and compatibility are important, but maybe even more important is timing."

—CooterMcGavern

7. "Stop obsessing over imaginary rules and looking for a magic spell to make you good at dating. There are no rules. Everyone is different. And yes, that includes men."

"Be positive, genuine, and interested in others. Have your own ideas about the world and be confident that you are likeable. Then let what happens, happen. 

Don't get angry or upset if you don't get perfection — just enjoy the process of meeting people and finding out what they're like."

—luiz_cannibal

8. And finally: "There's someone out there for everyone. Just kidding. That advice is garbage."

—[deleted user]