Am I a Cougar?

It all started innocently one afternoon while I was working on my tan at the pool for my upcoming Caribbean vacation. We struck up a conversation. He was attractive, had a great physique, and was definitely engaging. Our interests were similar, especially when it came to travel and wine. We decided to grab a glass of wine soon at the restaurant located across the street from our condos that neither of us had been to yet. Then came the little piece of information that had not even crossed my mind.....he was only 23!

Those of you who know me know that I have always dated men a few years older than I. The age difference between Karate Man and I was 14 years. In fact, the only time I ever dated anyone younger was the Albster. The older woman/younger man scenario has been non-stop lately in the media with couples such as Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher always making the headlines. I honestly had never really given it much thought nor was I educated on the subject. When I told Roger Hayes about my new friend, his only comment was, "Cougar!"

Cougar.....well that was a new term for me and warranted some investigation. As it turns out, there are whole websites and books dedicated to cougars. Here is one definition I found:

Cougar: KOO-grrrrr/ (noun) - an older woman who enjoys younger men. They are typically found stalking their prey in upscale lounges and trendy bars, basking in the attention of their young suitors. Famous examples would be Samantha on "Sex and the City" and Edie on "Desperate Housewives".

Interesting. Both are characters I adore! I had always found myself as the prey, but now I am the hunter. You know, I am kind of digging that idea. I found a book that dealt with the subject, though focusing more on much older women. It was Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men by Valerie Gibson. The blurb on the books states, "She's confident, stylish, sophisticated and sexy, and she knows exactly what she wants -- hot young men and lots of great sex! She's not interested in children or commitment. She's a cougar, and she's on the prowl." Haha- that's me!

I was joking with another friend about my "Cougar" status and he informed me that Roger had it all wrong - I was a bobcat. A bobcat is smaller than a cougar and not as dangerous. They are essentially a younger version of the cougar or a "cougar in training". My question for him was how the hell he knew these terms. I am beginning to think that Roger and my friend have had some of their own cougar experiences as they have found themselves the prey of some older female predator!

I can definitely see myself as a cougar someday - I am living in a highrise condo/loft in Dallas, driving the black 911 of course with the vanity plates reading "Trouble", dressed to the nines, with the concepts of marriage and children being the furthest things from my mind, hanging on the arms of some young good-looking stud. But, after a great weekend and another fabulous evening with the older man (he's only 33!) that I am seeing, I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready to be a cougar yet. I like my life as it is and that includes relationships with men slightly older.

But, I am going to grab that glass of wine with my young friend!