I'm not sure I necessarily agree with the GP, but average marriage ages have been steadily increasing. https://www.google.com/search?q=average+marrage+age http

I'm not sure I necessarily agree with the GP, but average marriage ages have been steadily increasing. https://www.google.com/search?q=average+marrage+age https://www.google.com/search?q=average+marrage+age For women its gone up nearly 5 years in the last 25. A 28 Y/O guy is probably dating women younger than the average marriage age at this point. Especially true, if those women happen to be college educated. Of course, the "I'm not looking for a serious relationship" line is being used like "lets be friends". AKA "Your nice, but I'm looking for someone higher up the mating hierarchy." Frankly, if I were in my 20's, single, and got a line like this from a women, unless it came with some form of explicit rejection, I would consider it a bonus. A single guy in his 20s should be enjoying his freedom, and having an bunch of casual date/etc partners shouldn't be viewed as a problem. Guys have time on their side, and that starts to become really apparent in the 30's.