An exact number doesn’t matter for the most part. Much more depends on where the other person is in life, their values and habits, and their attitude about life. A deal breaking number? Not so much, but deal breaking details, yes- especially the ones that have to be dealt with on a daily basis.
I have a 25 year old male friend who is an amazing guy in every way and I truly enjoy his company. We probably could date but it never will happen—the deal breaker is that he is stoic and humorless while I’m so animated! His stoicness is a novelty when I do see him, but would get on my nerves after a while. On the opposite end—I was intensely attracted to a 55 year old guy before I got married (when I was 27 years old). The deal breaker was—he was ready to retire and travel while I was just getting settled into my career. Those are not age-related reasons, but situational reasons.
I like being around people who don’t have “old farts” attitudes about life—but are still exploring, discussing, learning, and trying new things. Any relationship I get into would require the same thing.
I think Prince says it well:
Why is age more than a number when it comes 2 love?
Should we ask the ones who speculate
When they don’t know what it’s made of?