Getting Old, Do You Get Embarrased,

[trt]

feel in the way, or not taken seriously by younger people?
I dont mean if you are disabled, in a wheelchair, or profoundly deaf etc, just old.

I will be 73yrs old next month, have COPD, which I have medication for, have all my mental facilities, keep up with what's going on in the world, have a few genuine friends, and loving grown up children.

I am finding that when I speak to some people, whether to their face or on the phone, they tend to think because I am getting on in years, I am thick or dont know what I am talking about.
This really annoys me, as some of these people, will never experience some of life's challenges I have been through, here and abroad, may have had a good education, but certainly have no common sense, and never will.

I was talking to a Sky customer care last week about my bill being high, and he said, very nicely ''You could make it less, if you didn't have the sports channel, which I assume you dont watch much at your age?'' ***** ******

Have any of you had this experience?

[wolf63]

Not yet - I am 53.

During my working life I had only one person go to physically attack me and called me a few nasty names. The person was a 'little old lady' who looked sweet and granny-like.

Being old should not be what describes you as a person. Some people are born old (my dad).

☺☺

[Baldric]

Not at all. I'm 65, generally in good shape, everything still works as it should. I don't look, think or act like a Pensioner, nor do I get treated like one. I would not take kindly to being patronised that's for sure.

[andy-hughes]

I agree with Baldric - I am sixty-two but I neither look or act like an old person.

For as long as I have been an adult, being patronised seriously pushes my buttons, and I jump on it with my boots on the instant I hear or see it being offered to me.

[ummmm]

I don't change how I speak to people older than myself.

[Baldric]

///I agree with Baldric///

Blimey, steady on Andy !!!!

;o)

[SnookerPlayer]

I am 71 and am constantly embarrassed by people 30 or 40 years younger who seem to know nothing on TV quiz shows.

[dannyk13]

I am a few years older than you and also have COPD, but I find that the contrary is true and that I am often asked for advice.I also have (at the moment) quite s sharp mind.

[andy-hughes]

Baldric - /////I agree with Baldric///

Blimey, steady on Andy !!!!

;o) //

I don't know what happened there - I think I panicked!!!

(LOL!!)

[andy-hughes]

ummmm - //I don't change how I speak to people older than myself. //

I do, but only in interview situations with older musicians - an increasingly rare scenario (!) - but on those occasions, I will refer to Mr / Mrs / Ms, and ask if I may use their first name, because I regard that as courtesy - but that is the only time.

[mikey4444]

I am only 63 but I fully intend to get old disgracefully !

[ummmm]

Andy - that's just good manners. I meant I don't speak to older people like they might have lost some of their faculties.

[zebo]

I embarrassed my daughter when I said that I would be 'soixante neuf' next birthday.

[yogi-bear]

Hi trt

Certainly some people with no regard for their elders, treat older folk like they're idiots, on occasions, and much like Andy says, really gets my boat, if I spot in a shop, an airport, a restaurant, and so on....sometimes, so much that I say something to the inconsiderate so and so.

Doesn't affect me at the moment, as I'll be 51 this April, and still as sharp as a button, and never allow anyone to talk disrespectfully to me...If they try, they get a tongue lashing alright.

It must be annoying for you, trt...so whether on the phone, or face to face, Just tell them that YOU are the customer, and therefore should be treated as such...and as such, are always right, otherwise you'll take your business elsewhere to a company that cares ....That should shut the piggin' oik up.

Older people should be respected... I'm a firm believer in that. :-)

Good luck, trt :-)

[Sipowicz]

Reminds me of Bruce Forsythe's story of appearing at a function at an "Old peoples home", he was talking to one of the residents and said "Hello dear, do you know who I am?" she replied, "No, but if you ask Matron, she'll tell you"!

[Baldric]

/// Just tell them that YOU are the customer ///

Use that Famous Phrase,

"I pay your wages!"

[mikey4444]

Getting old is being able to fart in public, but without blaming the dog.

[Baldric]

Well, that speaks volumes imo.

[andy-hughes]

ummmm - //Andy - that's just good manners. I meant I don't speak to older people like they might have lost some of their faculties. //

Understood - no, I don't do that either, because I talk to everyone in exactly the same way, whatever their age.

[aelmpvw]

mikey, i doubt that anyone for one moment thought that it was your 'little willie'

[andy-hughes]

Actually, I do find I have lived through through what I can only describe as an 'experience barrier' twice in my life.

The first time was when I was a child, teenager, and young man , and I realised that adults knew far more than me because they have lived a longer than I have.

Now I look at young children, teenagers and young people, and I realise that they know far less than me because they have lived a lot less time than I have.

It's interesting to compare the two.