I'm 53, attractive, tall, long hair without receding hairline, somewhat overweight, but hitting the gym hard, so my posture and presence is good. The foundation is good.

Still, over 50.

I had a pretty good run with a (then) 22 year old. Really nice semi LTR. I thought it was a kind of fluke, but enjoyed while it lasted, and I'm working on slowly turning her into a FWB, as she still contacts, and we are in (on? Sorry, English isn't my native language) good terms.

Last week, at a bar I often frequent, there was a gathering of 20 somethings, guys and girls. I knew a couple of them and I easily joined them. Next to me was a really cute, petite girl, whom I'd briefly met before, who immediately engaged me. She made a point of telling me she was 24 (looked 18 easily) and while downing beers, proceeded to tell me how unsatisfactory was her sex life with her live-in bf, and how she was fed up with "boys". She was IOIng me hard. Kino, eye lock, the works.

As the night wore on, and being within the group, I behaved very un-creepy, making her drink water, to slow and counter the drunk she was going for. I played the safe, concerned, cool uncle, (which I actually am, two of my elder nephews, late 20s sometimes hit me up to party).

The other girls in the group kept looking at me while talking. I was in a good place.

I, of course, didn't do anything that implied I would hit on her or take advantage of the situation, basically being the trustworthy older cool guy enjoying himself with the gang. And I was. Enjoying myself, and within frame.

We eventually parted ways, woozy petite to her friend's couch, and everyone else wherever.

I didn't get her number, but I know I'll meet her again soon, so I'll do that and set up a meet somewhere by ourselves. I'm confident this will pan out well.

Fast forward to yesterday. Same bar, similar group of 20 somethings.

I was talking to the owner, a very sexy latina, married, early 40s whom I'd friend zoned, because "why drama" , but with whom I'm very friendly. She's right now in the middle of a nasty divorce, in the hard core let's-hurt phase. I didn't get involved with the group, as I didn't know any of them, and was fully engaged being the sob pillow of my friend. (not necessarily nice-guy-white-knight. She is a friend I purposefully friend zoned, as it is much more interesting to me as an ally, being the owner of a popular bar.)

At one point one of the hotties goes to the bar to get some beers. I, coincidentally, do the same a minute later. She looks at me as we cross, puts down her beers, grabs my hands and says "dance with me"

This is not a dancing bar, basically a bar and tables inside and at the terrace.

We danced a bit, with her hunting for my eyes, and I let her go and went back to my friend. The situation was way too complicated, too many potential landmines, to do anything in a non creepy way, and I really wasn't in the mood. But it did give me a bit of a high.

These situations, plus other similar in nature, have got me thinking of what is working so well.

My guesses are:

I look attractive enough. I've been told I look 42. Probably "hot dad" level.

I'm giving a confident, non-needy, not hunting, vibe. I do my own thing, but invite and share with the younger ones, both guys and girls.

I hold a good, often funny conversation, without hogging it.

There are a hell of a lot of girls with daddy issues, and a "hot dad" surrogate probably turns them on.

I probably seem unattainable to them, so I'm a challenge.

I'm still analyzing these situations, to be able to work on and enhance.

Thoughts?

Note:

While approach and initial escalation is easy, pulling them away from the groups is usually hard, because someone will usually find it odd-creepy. She may be all into me, but her friend will be very not-OK with the situation.

Cold approaching much younger girls is a definite no. It is almost guaranteed to be creepy, and with an huge failure rate.