According to a survey of 2000 people, some youngsters think
old age begins at 53. Seriously? How do they work that out? Annoyingly, there
is no explanation of this odd figure.
I would say old age begins around 75. That was then I
started to get various aches and pains I hadn’t had before and when my physical
energy started to decline. Before that I didn’t feel any older than someone of
40.
Oldies who were also included in the survey thought like me
that old age begins at 75. That’s more like it.
But 53? How come? Maybe they’re not saying that 53 year olds
are actually old and decrepit but just that they’re showing the early signs of
old age. They’re set in their ways or slowing down a bit or can’t hear properly.
At 53 I was not only fit and healthy but I had just moved
from London to Belfast. Very adventurous for someone who was supposedly entering
old age.
These odd-thinking youngsters need to talk to a few more oldies to get better informed about ageing.
When I turned 35 I started calling myself middle aged, partly as a reminder to myself, and partly so no one would call me mutton dressed as lamb. The Bible says we live to 70, so 35 was the middle. When I turned 65 (retirement age here) I started calling myself a senior citizen, but being still fit and healthy, I still keep forgetting to ask for senior discounts. I never say I'm old.
ReplyDeleteSean: I enjoy lots of senior discounts (we call them concessions), including a travel pass that covers the whole of Ireland. Old age has its advantages!
DeleteSean: Where is "here" by the way?
DeleteI'm not sure what age the 'youngsters' were, but I guess I would take what a kid aged 16 or younger said with a grain of salt. They likely think their parents are old!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Jenny and I were thinking the same, that they maybe see their middle-aged parents as old.
Delete53 is middle age only if you live to 106. My predicted life span is to age 85 so I was middle aged at 42. At 78 now that makes me OLD!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Indeed, 53 might just be middle age for some.
DeleteIf 53 if the new definition of old age, then I should consider myself as ancient having made it to my mid-70s.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: If 53 is the start of old age, then I must be a total wreck by now, barely able to get out of bed.
DeleteMy mother only stopped playing tennis doubles at 85. She still loved playing the piano, but that didn't make up for her beloved tennis
ReplyDeleteHels
Art and Architecture, mainly
Hels: Playing tennis doubles at 85, that's brilliant. A shame she had to give it up eventually.
DeleteYou just tell those young whippersnappers that "youth is wasted on the young" I get a laugh when I say that.
ReplyDeleteFor Nick, "here" is Calgary, in his majesty's dominion of Canada.
In my boyhood, every classroom had a portrait of the queen. Not now. For our country's founding day, (In July of course, like for France and the US) we used to say Dominion Day, now we say Canada Day. I'm glad to be old enough to remember.
Sean: We passed through Calgary in 2007 when we visited Vancouver and the Rockies. Jenny has a cousin in Toronto who came to see us recently.
DeleteGood that you changed Dominion Day to Canada Day. Here in Britain we still have all sorts of antiquated names like Member of the British Empire.
I wouldn't give this much thought. Of course young people would see that as "old". Until they are there.
ReplyDeleteSandra: I suppose they would. So what are we at 73 or 83? Ancient? Antidiluvian? Antique? The mind boggles.
DeleteI'm 56 so I guess the younger people see me as old now. Where's my cane?
ReplyDeleteMary: I hope you don't need a cane for a long time yet!
DeleteI look at photos of myself in my 50's and I don't look as bad as I thought I did!
ReplyDeleteI think my appearance needs more maintenance now I'm in my 60s - like I have to draw my eyebrows on every morning - good job I went to art college!
I feel much the same as ever - but in a slower, more chilled way.
Sx
They say most people think "old" starts at 15 years older than their current age
ReplyDeleteThey will figure it out when they are 53!
ReplyDelete