Dutch pensioner, 69, starts legal battle to lower his age so he can get more dates on Tinder
A Dutch pensioner is attempting to legally lower his age in an attempt to bolster his success in finding dates on Tinder.
Emile Ratelband, 69, wants to change his birthday from 11 March 1949 to 11 March 1969 – making him a 49-year-old man in the eyes of the law.
Mr Ratelband believes that he is discriminated against because of his age and wants a local court in the city of Amhem, south-east of Amsterdam, to rule on the case after his local authority refused to change his age on official documents.
He said: ‘When I’m 69, I am limited.
‘If I’m 49, then I can buy a new house, drive a different car. I can take up more work.
‘When I’m on Tinder and it say I’m 69, I don’t get an answer. When I’m 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position.’
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Mr Ratelband believes the change is no different than identifying as transgender, adding to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: ‘You can change your name. You can change your gender. Why not your age?’
The self-help guru, who voiced the character Vladimir Trunkov in the Dutch-language version of the Pixar film Cars 2, described himself as a ‘young god’.
He said his doctors told him he had the body of someone more than 20 years younger than himself.
If successful, Mr Ratelband said he would give up his pension entitlements.
A ruling is expected within four weeks.
