Some concepts are best represented in graph form.

In this case, optimum female partner age for the irrepressible Neil.

Matt:	what age-gap, if any, do you think there will be between you and your wife?
Neil:	max 10 years, you have to guess which way
Matt:	younger
Neil:	yup
Matt:	you’d be cool with 9 years difference?
Neil:	well it depends on the age of marriage
Matt:	I went through a while of being worried about the (5.5 years) difference between lauren and I
Neil:	16 to 25 = no. 30 to 39 = fine.
Matt:	well indeed
Matt:	but that means you’re not getting married for another… uh… 16 years?
Matt:	or thereabouts
Matt:	that’s a long time
Neil:	In truth, I never intend to be married.
Neil:	Long term relationship fine, but no, not marriage.
Matt:	well ok, live-in serious long-term relationship
Neil:	I said ‘max’ 10 year difference, that’d be in exceptional circumstances
Matt:	indeed
Neil:	in reality I’d go with 1-4 years younger
Neil:	at my current age
Neil:	scaling up as I get older
Matt:	graph me
Neil:	^ Partner Age | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ |_ |___________________> My age
Neil:	I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS
Matt:	a little oddly worded, but I get your drift
Matt:	I LIKE THE CUT OF YOUR JIB
Matt:	so am I on the curve so far?
Matt:	I’m 28, she’s 5.5 years younger
Matt:	I guess I’m ahead of the curve
Neil:	You’re not in pervert range.
Matt:	resultio