Jan Fowler is a TV producer/host, national speaker, and award-winning columnist on senior topics.  She is both widowed and divorced, has done considerable dating, and enjoys discussing the serious relationship she now shares with a gentleman whom she met in a ballroom dance class at a senior citizens’ center.
Look for her new television show, “The Jan Fowler Show for Baby Boomers & Others” which will be nationally syndicated beginning in January.  The show will focus on  topics of interest for those approaching retirement, including current events about the future of social security, healthcare, retirement benefits, etc. After November 20, you may order Jan’s new book, Hot Chocolate for Seniors, featuring more than 100 heartwarming, humorous, inspiring stories–including real-life stories about senior love and romance–from hotchocolateforseniors.com.

This month’s topic:  One easy way of inviting a man or woman you’ve just met to give you a call.

Have you ever considered having some inexpensive business cards printed with your first name only, phone number, and possibly a cute logo of your favorite or special hobby?  Then doing what one nice-looking man did after talking while walking alongside me for a full three blocks from the outlying parking lot to the hospital lobby, where I was headed to visit a patient?

Just before nodding goodbye, he unexpectedly, but pleasantly, charmed and disarmed me by handing me such a card, saying “You know, I really enjoyed talking with you.  If you’d ever like to talk some more, please call me—I’d like that!”

He made his point.  And I was flattered.

We can often tell if someone we like also likes us. Think about it–it really doesn’t take long for sparks of chemistry to fly.

Just think of how many times we may have met a man or woman we’re attracted to at a senior dance, a country western dance, a ballroom dance class, a community event where we’re volunteering, or even while standing in a long line at the post office.  In fact, there are countless places where we might fall into casual conversation, including the waiting room at the doctor’s office.

I’ve often struck up a conversation with a handsome man while attending a free museum event, gallery opening, or community reception where punch and hors d’oeuvres set the stage for easy mingling.   In retrospect, I sure wish I had known how to “invite” a man I just met and liked to call me!  Just the other day, my girlfriend phoned me to bemoan the fact that she had just spent five hours sitting next to a dreamy guy on an airline flight with whom she enjoyed great conversation.  Now she’s kicking herself for not having such a card handy in her pocket or purse to give him afterwards!

A card is a simple technique, it’s tasteful, socially acceptable, and classy.  Maybe you’ll hear from the person, maybe not, but in no way have you lost face.  And because you’ve flattered the person you’ve handed your card to, they’re bound to say thank you.  Remember, you have to keep putting yourself out there and not wait for the world to come to you!  What are you waiting for?  Do you have a better idea?

And in case you’re wondering if I ever followed through with the “invitation” to call the attractive man at the hospital… The only reason I didn’t is because I was already involved in a serious committed relationship.  Had I not been, however, I most definitely would have contacted him.  You bet!  He was respectful, likeable, good-looking, and there’s no denying that we both felt chemistry.

So you just might want to remember these two magic sentences, “You know, I really enjoyed talking with you.  If you’d ever like to talk some more, please call me—I’d like that!”