I’m a man in my early 50s who does papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan). I’m planning to go to a sweets buffet at a city hotel with a woman I met through papa-katsu. Would people find it odd to see a man and woman with a 30-year age gap there? Would they assume we’re father and daughter?

You’re still very young, so there’s absolutely no need to worry about it. Even outside papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan), a 30-year age gap wouldn’t bother me at all, so try not to let it get to you. If you do, people may sense your discomfort. At your age, having a 20-year-old girlfriend isn’t impossible even in a regular relationship. If you keep that in mind and don’t worry about it, people around you won’t care whether you’re parent and child, relatives, coworkers, conducting market research for work, having an affair, or simply sharing a hobby, attending the same university alumni group or club, or traveling together—as long as nothing feels unnatural in your conversation.

A dessert buffet sounds wonderful! You’re going with your young, cute favorite PJ, right? Don’t worry about what people around you think—just enjoy yourselves. I’d love to go with my papa too ♡

It depends on the vibe between the two of you. If you’re doing it, then I wouldn’t consider you inexperienced.