'Your bullsh*t radar is so much better': Golden Bachelor's Bianca Dye on dating in your 50s.

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On Monday night's episode of The Golden Bachelor, host Samantha Armytage posed a question that would've resonated with many viewers: "Does it get harder as you get older?" when it comes to dating.

The bachelorettes' responses were refreshingly honest and varied.

Hamidah shared a story about a man she'd been dating, admitting she "hoped he would get taller as he got closer." Meanwhile, Elizette revealed her practical approach to romance: "I ask guys to brush their teeth before kissing."

While Lauren offered a more optimistic perspective, noting that "intimacy changes, and it gets better" with age.

Away from the bright lights and cameras of a reality TV show, four women, including The Golden Bachelors' Bianca Dye, all agree that dating after 50 requires both "a sense of humour" and "a thick skin."

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Bianca Dye.

Queensland-based radio host, Bianca, 52, says dating in her 50s, which has mostly been via dating apps, has been "exhausting".

"I have a friend my age who will go on three dates in one weekend, which to me sounds like living hell. I'd rather slam my tits in a car door," she laughed.

"It's exhausting. There's all the messaging and then the getting ready and the lashes and the tan and the makeup. It's a lot," she said, adding that it takes even more work to get ready as you get older.

"On the first date, I'm like, alright let's do the pretty dress and get the tits out. By the second date, if there is even one, I'm throwing on a T-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap and the bloke is like 'where's Bianca gone?"

At 52, Bianca is adamant that any man worth dating needs to take her as she is, baseball cap and all. She says one of the great things about dating as you reach middle age and beyond is that "your bullsh** radar is so much better."

Bianca Dye. Image: Nine.

"I've been on dates with guys before where I think 30-year-old me would've given this guy a second date, but 52-year-old me is like no way, because I know what I need now," she said.

"The only thing with that is that the pool of eligible men gets smaller as you get older anyway, and then, because your bullsh** radar is so much better, the pool gets even smaller again."

But Bianca's experience with dating in her 50s hasn't been all hard work.

"I've met some absolutely beautiful men, but we just weren't a match, but that doesn't mean we didn't have a nice time together," Bianca said.

And when it comes to intimacy, Bianca insists that, as long as it's dark, the bedroom can too be a lot of fun in your 50s.

"In the bedroom now, I feel that I very much know what I need and what I want," she said.

"I feel more confident than I ever have."

Bianca also shared that she's "much better" at saying no when she's "not in the mood."

"I'm like, 'I want to finish this episode of Morning Wars and get up and go to Pilates in the morning', so that's a hard no," she said.

"And if that makes them feel uncomfortable, or if they don't like it, then see you later."

Catherine Cervasio.

For Catherine Cervasio, a Melbourne-based natural skincare product developer and freelance writer, dating in her 50s has been mostly a positive experience. She says she tends to steer away from dating apps and prefers to meet men the "old-fashioned" way, through mutual friends and social settings.

"I'm not sure any man over 50 would have their profile set to 'seeking independent, free-spirited 50-year-old woman'," she laughed.

"I think apps can limit possibility — not to mention I'm a romantic at heart and prefer to think the stars will eventually align on their own…"

Since her divorce 20 years ago, Catherine has had two long-term relationships and has been dating again for just over 12 months.

Catherine Cervasio. Image: Supplied.

Catherine says the best thing about dating in her 50s is that she has far more self-confidence than she did in her 20s and 30s and there is far less pressure to find 'the one.'

"You feel more confident in who you are and have a heap of life lessons behind you – it's great to be comfortable in your own skin," she said.

"You no longer need a partner, or to date, rather it's something you choose — something which can add joy to your life — and hopefully theirs."

Kate Engler.

Kate Engler, 57, agrees.

"As someone who has a great life, a great business, and great kids, the key thing for me is that if someone is going to come into my life, they need to enhance it — not detract from it. Though that can be a challenge," Kate, who is the publicity specialist and founder of the Meet the Press Masterclass, said.

Kate left her marriage in 2007, when her boys were just two and four. She says she was "deliberately single" for seven years after that, while she prioritised her children and her business.

Kate Engler. Image: Supplied.

"I then very reluctantly dipped my toe into the online dating world and had a relationship for three years which I ended in 2018," she recalled.

Kate said she only returned to dating again after taking some time to "grow and heal."

"Having a sense of humour is essential when you are dating at our age," she said.

"I also recommend finding a dating buddy, like a gym buddy, someone you can share the journey with, or a group of girlfriends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth and can provide a bit of light entertainment.

"You need those friends who will spot the red flags when you miss them or will say, 'you can't let him say that to you.' They are gold."

Kate notes that dating in your 50s means you "know yourself a lot better than you did in your 20s and 30s" so, therefore, "you do tend to make better choices."

"People will sometimes say to me, 'aren't you being a bit fussy, or setting your standards a bit high?' But I'm like I didn't go through all that drama and angst of leaving my marriage to settle for something that doesn't light me up," Kate said.

Kate says that, contrary to what many people might think, intimacy can be far less awkward when dating in your 50s.

"I think at this age, it's easier, because a lot of people our age, if they've done the work and have evolved, are more likely to talk about intimacy earlier and in a respectful way," she said.

Vanessa Puli.

However, Vanessa Puli, 53, a personal stylist and communications specialist from Sydney's north shore, says she has encountered far too many men on dating sites who wouldn't know respect if it hit them in the face.

"The level of disrespect I have encountered, including being sent non-consensual d**k pics and a whole laundry list of porn positions they like, is next level," she said.

"So now, I strictly won't give anyone my phone number until I've met them in person."

Vanessa Puli. Image: Supplied.

Vanessa says one of the positive and surprising things about dating in her 50s has been dating younger men.

"I have found that I'm dating more guys in their 30s, who are interested in women my age, because they may not be ready for marriage and kids, and so, rather than dating younger women and having to negate those pressures or lie about what they want, they know they won't have those pressures with someone my age," she said.

"I have also found they are a lot more respectful than a lot of men in their 50s. There is less misogyny, and they are more open to dating an intelligent and successful woman.

"The point of dating for me is to add something that might be missing in my life — to have someone to go out with and enjoy evenings with and go to the theatre or a weekend away."

"And d**k pics aside, I have met some really nice people, even if they weren't for me," she added.

"It's lovely when you go out on a nice date and dress up and have a glass of wine, because at the end of the day, it is nice to feel fabulous and have someone you can flirt with."

However, she says the "yearning" that exists for many women to meet someone in their younger years disappears in midlife.

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"Finding love and having a relationship at this age would be lovely if it happened, but it would absolutely have to be with the right person," Vanessa added.

Bianca sums up perfectly how many women in their 50s and 60s feel about dating.

"I know so many single, gorgeous and established women who are cooked. They're like if someone falls over me at the crossing, and he's hot, then maybe I'm in, but if not, I'm done," she said.

"They're of the opinion that if the right one doesn't come along that is respectful and lights them up and adds value, then they're all going to live in tiny houses on a commune out the back of Byron."

"And if down the track I find myself on my own, then you can sign me up too. All we need is an escort once a month on a full moon to fulfil our needs," she laughed.

Feature Image: Nine.