Do you find it weird for people of huge age gap + opp. gender to hang out as friends?

I (late 20s,F) met a friend (lat 40s,M) by chance and turned out we share some similar hobbies and interests, so we hang out ~once a week for couple hours to do art and play sports tgt.

Overall a kind, humble, easy-going person, although he seems to be quite lonely as he doesn’t really have anyone to hang out with. We usually just have meals tgt after we hang out.

I noticed that when we chat or have meals outside, ppl around tend to look at us. (Think curious,kepo, like what kind of relationship are they having kind of look). Maybe it makes ppl curious since he’s of different race and rlly looks much older than me.

So this situation makes me quite uncomfortable at times. I feel like being judged by ppl. I thought of inviting a few more friends to hang out tgt as a small group but unfortunately most of my friends don’t share similar interests so that option is out :/

So I’m asking here hoping to get you guys opinions on my situation.

Tq 🙂

Edit: if I’m being completely honest, sometimes I feel a bit uncomfortable cuz he’s single and nv really had any success in pursuing women or chance with dating. But ofc he ardy knew from the start that I’m in a long committed rs. So yea the friendship is completely platonic.

Netizen’s comments

It’s only weird if you make it weird.

Not worth it to throw away a friend you care for (as long as it’s a healthy friendship) over judgements made by strangers. People are always gonna judge, even on the most random thing…

If he is a good friend, be proud of your friendship. Otherwise you will end up sobataging it.