Who cares? As long as you are both happy and consenting then that's all that matters.
I met my husband when I was 19 and he was 35. I am now 31 and he is 47.
Have a chat to him and tell him to drop the "old" shit

Tis fine.

Take it from me dear, when gentlemen are in control of their processes they are admittedly very handsome. But when they are no longer such strapping lads and are poo poo dependant, let us say they are rather less attractive, especially to a youngster who is, shall we say, still wet behind the ears. Oh my days, you need a man, my dear, not a grandpop.
Cheerio.

I'm 32, my husband is 53. The age difference doesn't have as much of an impact as I thought it would. Yes when I'm older I'll probably be on my own a lot sooner than other women my age, but it all seems big and scary in the beginning. When we first got together we stayed at home because we thought people would point and stare. But then when we did finally go out we realised that no one gives a shit about what other people are doing. As long as you are happy, and family support is important (not a deal breaker but it definitely helps) then stuff everyone else.

Probably to big, have a fling but let him go in the long run. I’m 46 and looking back from 38-46 well my dear you have a fun time ahead of you!
He’s been there and done that and then some. You want someone who is kind of experiencing life at the same speed just so your own development isn’t stifled. Good luck 🍀

I am 40 and my partner is 21
He is not my kids dad
My kids are 20,26,22

My dad is 68 and my mum is 75

I'm 29 and my husband is 43. We've been married since 2014. We get along well and he's very young at heart and in body he looks no where near 43. Works for us.

When he retires you’ll still be active. I don’t think you’ll be compatible long term

So many different things to consider here. I think if you were 20 and he was 35 then the15 year age gap would, IMO matter more. 38 V 53, I don’t think is a big deal. However, you’re just seeing him casually and he’s already voicing concerns about your age, so then the age gap is probably going to be a problem.

What other people think isn’t going to be relevant to you. If you both are happy, if he is good to you and you are good to him, if he loves you and you love him then it’s no one else’s business. He might just be passing comment about how old he feels, I do too and I’m only 29, and it might not need any more reading into than that. He might have had someone pass comment and puts too much weight into their opinion. He might just be voicing a concern he has. All you need to do is have an open line of communication and talk to each other to make sure you’re both happy and comfortable with what you have. Don’t worry about what others would do, you just do you.