When a person has seen a fair amount of years, they tend to know what they want out of life or a partner. They see dating as an exercise they must perform to get what they want, but it does not necessarily mean they are looking forward to it. The expectations of mature daters are often well-defined, and they are not willing to settle for anything less than they need.
When a mature person dates, they are often taking time from tasks they believe are important. Those who have children are often stealing time they feel should be devoted to raising them, or they might be trying to enjoy a night out as an adult. They will be seriously disappointed if their date is an irresponsible person who cares little for what they have given up, and they are more likely to end the date early if they do not like what they see in the other person.
As an adult, a dater is less likely to be willing to sacrifice much of their hopes and dreams to satisfy another person. They are often looking for someone who is willing to give as much as they take from a relationship, so balance is an important factor. Those who find they are with someone who expects to be coddled at all times will often walk out in disgust, and nothing will induce them to return to the person they have left behind. Their sense of dignity has been offended, and they are often unwilling to go through it again.
While every dater has their own set of expectations, mature daters are often more thoughtful when compiling their list. They generally have the ability to look at another person realistically, so they can judge whether or not compatibility will be an issue. There are some who have fooled mature daters, but it generally does not take long before they realize a mistake has been made.