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**MichaelB** · 10-05-2012, 07:41 AM

Do people become curmudgeons later in life, or are they born that way and it just takes so many years to strip away the pretenses?

W2R · 10-05-2012, 07:46 AM

Interesting question!

It seems to me that as we grow older, and have less time left in our lives, we are less likely to be patient with others (especially with those who waste our time). This can lead to curmudgeonly behaviors.

But then, some people acquire curmudgeonly traits at a relatively young age.

So, there could be a genetic component. I voted "not sure".

REWahoo · 10-05-2012, 07:56 AM

Not sure on the nature vs. nurture question, but I like this description from How to be a Curmudgeon:

Quote:

...the curmudgeon is a mature person who has taken the time and intellectual effort to reflect upon and critique the world and the way it is constituated and has concluded that, given half a chance, they could run things a heck of a lot better.

Have you ever seen TV commercials trying to get you to part with your savings and invest in some stock or commodity? The tag-end of the thing says, “Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.” The curmudgeon knows that past performance is about all you got to go on. When people say, “Things are different today,” the curmudgeon knows that the medicine show might be new but they’re sellin’ the same old snake oil.

In short, a curmudgeon is a realist of the highest order, not only seeing things the way they are, but the way they have been and most likely the way they’re gonna be.

Nemo2 · 10-05-2012, 07:59 AM

a curmudgeon is a realist of the highest order, not only seeing things the way they are, but the way they have been and most likely the way they’re gonna be.

+1

Chuckanut · 10-05-2012, 08:32 AM

Maybe it is a medical condition?!?!?!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_male_syndrome

Testosterone and Mens Health | Male Menopause | Dr Frances Pitsilis

How to handle a grumpy old man - Mens Health - Health In Focus - smh.com.au

Or maybe we just enjoy being that way!!!!

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/c/curmudgeon.asp

eytonxav · 10-05-2012, 08:45 AM

I think its all those crazy other people that make us that way

HFWR · 10-05-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo2

a curmudgeon is a realist of the highest order, not only seeing things the way they are, but the way they have been and most likely the way they’re gonna be.

+1

+2

As I always say, "If you're not cynical, you're just not paying attention."

marko · 10-05-2012, 09:00 AM

I"m an angry old man now. I used to be an angry young man.

cute fuzzy bunny · 10-05-2012, 09:21 AM

Its whichever one I feel like it being at any particular time, goddammit!

I used to be a lot cheerier before I got married.

rescueme · 10-05-2012, 09:38 AM

I am what I am (an angry old man) due to my life, and the things I endured (and still do so), along the way.

Many would say that I'm sorry for myself. To them, I would say just walk a day in my shoes (and many of the days I endured along the way)...

The term "life sucks, and then you die" certainly applies to me. I long for peace....

zinger1457 · 10-05-2012, 09:39 AM

Having been retired for 2+ years and being a member of a private golf club where about 80% of the members are 60+ years old it has struck me how many of them complain of the most minor issues. I think part of the problem is that many of them just don't have enough activities to occupy their free time. Had to laugh when one day we were crossing the street going from one green to the next tee and there was a group of young school kids walking by and overheard one of them say to the others "keep quiet because the golfers here are a bunch of mean old crabby people".

antmary · 10-05-2012, 09:50 AM

I voted for category #2. As I have gotten older, and my estrogen went away, that, well, changed my outlook. I took off the hormone-ridden rose colored glasses. I changed from I'm OK and you're OK - to I'm not OK and you're not OK, and that's OK!

easysurfer · 10-05-2012, 09:56 AM

I voted the "have a nice day option." Though, if there was an option of middle of the road, probably a combination of both nature and nurture, I would have chose that.

Life give you lemons

and 1) you make lemonade or ) why the heck did life give me lemons!

MasterBlaster · 10-05-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Do people become curmudgeons later in life, or are they born that way and it just takes so many years to strip away the pretenses?

You post like becoming a curmudgeon is a bad thing ?

Bestwifeever · 10-05-2012, 10:09 AM

I'll go with born that way and like many personality characteristics, intensified with age.

bbbamI · 10-05-2012, 10:16 AM

I think some people were weaned on a pickle.

steelyman · 10-05-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R

It seems to me that as we grow older, and have less time left in our lives, we are less likely to be patient with others (especially with those who waste our time). This can lead to curmudgeonly behaviors.

I voted "not sure" as well, because it wasn't clear which of the two choices were nature or nurture. And I'll make an opposite point which, that while it is true we have less time as each day passes before they place us 6 ft. under, we have more time each day that remains once the demands of work are gone, so I think for many that leads to more patience and "c'est la vie".