The moment you realize you're old...

[Nuke]

I was told that the surest test of whether or not you were old was to fall down.

If people point and laugh, then you're not old.

If they rush to your aid, then you're old!

 

[ERD50]

Funny thing, we just had a discussion on this, but from my Daughter's POV. She's 35, a middle school math teacher. She's 'mentoring' a new, fresh grad teacher. Two things made my Daughter feel old.

1) My Daughter taught one of the new teacher's friends.

2) The new teacher was just making conversation, and asked if my Daughter had gone to any concerts recently. My Daughter replied "Oh yea, we just saw Dave Mathew's Band last month". The new teacher replied "Oh, my Dad really likes them"!

But for me, like some others, the first time I really felt old(er) was when a Doctor or Dentist was younger than me. You grow up with them always being older, and then one day...

Heck, now we want them to be younger than us, so they don't retire before we expire!

 

[GravitySucks]

I was told that the surest test of whether or not you were old was to fall down.

If people point and laugh, then you're not old.

If they rush to your aid, then you're old!

Last summer I was digging a hole, jumped on the shovel and it hit a buried piece of plastic. I bounced about a half foot in the air and lost balance and fell. Dear Daughter came running looking scared instead of laughing at me as I was expecting.

Even before that, Dear Girl Friend and I go to a place with Happy Hour $1 oyster. Bar service only. The bartender told us we could sit over in a lounge area instead of standing at the bar and she’d serve us there. I over heard her tell the busboy that she’d ‘take care that cute old couple on the couch but to keep an eye out if they want me.’

 

[MMxyz74]

Kids Say The Darndest Things

When trying to show/play dominoes with my nephew's 7 year old daughter, she became confused and blurted out "What do You Mean Old Man". At age 64 all I could do was laugh.

 

[5Miler]

My kids didn't have a manual to even learn on, and when I bought a moto after 30 years off a bike, I sought an automatic/DCT.

Motorcycles have automatic transmissions?

I was today old when I found that out. Gave up my last bike in 88.

 

[Qs Laptop]

OK, I'll play. The first time I realized I was old was when I was in my early 20's. I was in a grocery store buying some ice cream (the only item I was buying.) While in the checkout line a small boy of perhaps 5 years old was with his mom ahead of me in line. He looked at the ice cream, looked at me and said, "Hey Mister, is that ice cream good?"

More recently, I guess it was when I got my Medicare card.

 

[frayne]

It’s funny how the simple act of trimming one's toenails has turned into an Olympic event. I’ve gone to a full-blown workout routine, complete with warm-up stretches and deep breathing exercises. Honestly, if anyone saw me, they’d think I was preparing for a marathon, not just trying to reach my toes without pulling a muscle or damaging some other part of my body.

And don’t get me started on the random hairs that have decided to sprout from the most unexpected places. I feel like my body is secretly auditioning for a part in a B-grade werewolf movie.

It’s like Mother Nature is playing some kind of cosmic prank, reminding me that aging comes with its own set of rules and a twisted sense of humor.

 

[athena53]

A cardiologist described me as "spry". Ick.

 

[ls99]

Be 77 in a few months. Have not reilized that I am old. Still trying to figure out what I'll be when I grow up.
As for all the Sir and door holdings, I like it.
So far never had senior discount offered anywhere. I do ask for it at times, if I think of it.

 

[Gallaher]

Oh, to live on Mid-Age Mountain
With the w*rkers and the healthy tycoons,
You can't be sixty on Mid-Age Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.

Neil would be proud. He would definitely relate.

 

[jollystomper]

I was told that the surest test of whether or not you were old was to fall down.

If people point and laugh, then you're not old.

If they rush to your aid, then you're old!

Reminds of an incident I think I have posted on here before. I was shopping in a store. Some items that looked interesting were in a lower shelf, so I squatted down to get a better look at them. I still have good balance and am very comfortable in the squat position, and stayed that way for about a minute. Suddenly I hear someone say "oh my, sir!" I turn and see a younger women rushing towards me, saying "are you okay? do you need help?" I slowly stand up (just with my legs, need for any other support) with a smile , saying "oh, I'm fine. I was quite comfortable". She got this shocked looked on her face, apologizing, saying "I thought you were stuck there." One of the times the thought "do I really look that *old*?" ran through my mind.

 

[Ronstar]

I do a yearly eye exam, skin check, and Medicare wellness physical. And dental checkups twice a year. Same response from all the docs - I’m doing great for a guy my age.

 

[Koolau]

I've lost some weight lately and I finally have some wrinkles that are age-appropriate. YMMV

 

[martyp]

I first acknowledged that I was getting old when I was 50 and needed reading glasses. The second milestone was in my early 60’s when I realized I couldn’t recover from my gym workouts as quickly.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

A cardiologist described me as "spry". Ick.

A 50-year old pickleball partner called me “spry” last year. I was taken aback.

Yesterday, another p’ball partner, after I raced around at the net and returned some tough shots, remarked in surprise that I had really good balance and added to that with compliments about my flexibility and agility.

And then she asked me how old I am. I’m 2 years older than she is.

I’m not really sure how to take any of that, really….

In between those 2 events, I was walking across the Mall in London, on the signal, just after the coronation, so the whole road was closed. Two yobs on e-bikes whizzed in front of me with one yelling, “Look out, Granny” and the other following with “F$&**&*” old B#$*&#$”

So this past year or so, others have told me I’m perceived as old, and I guess I have to believe that.

 

[Gumby]

A 50-year old pickleball partner called me “spry” last year. I was taken aback.

Yesterday, another p’ball partner, after I raced around at the net and returned some tough shots, remarked in surprise that I had really good balance and added to that with compliments about my flexibility and agility.

And then she asked me how old I am. I’m 2 years older than she is.

I’m not really sure how to take any of that, really….

I'd rather be considered "spry" than not.

 

[Walt34]

I do a yearly eye exam, skin check, and Medicare wellness physical. And dental checkups twice a year. Same response from all the docs - I’m doing great for a guy my age.

I get the same thing, they always have to throw in that qualifier - "for a man your age".

 

[Badger]

I couple of years ago I noticed my neck started to look like it belonged to a turkey.

 

[street]

I realize I'm old for many years already from things like it takes longer to do thing to appearance and all those things of aging.
One thing that was an eye opener though was when you are the oldest person still working in the company you work for. I was just about the oldest and stopped before I was.
That is one thing or label I didn't want is the oldest person still working. It was time to get out!!!

 

[Koolau]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah, I attended a seminar on "communication" at Megacorp after I'd been there 28 years. The instructor said "We don't usually get people your age in this class."

I couldn't resist and told the young lady "Well, it's a nice place to hide out for a couple of days and no one will miss me anyway because I'm becoming invisible."

She just went blank as there wasn't much to say at that point. I didn't really intend to be mean to her but sorta wanted to let her know that everyone has feelings - no mater how old they manage to get.

 

[Time2]

I muttered some expletive's under my breath when the first AARP mailers arrived.

Don't let that bother you! My daughter was 4yrs old when she got her first letter from AARP. I responded to in crayon in a child's writing.

 

[Time2]

My thinking process feels the same as in my 20s, but when I look in the mirror there's this old person staring back.

Change the lighting! Mounted on the ceiling, slightly behind your head is good. I stayed with my daughter in her new home, the bathroom lighting was in front on each side of the mirror. I was shocked I tell you, Shocked!

 

[Time2]

When we go grocery shopping I often park out at the far end of the lot, joking with my wife that I'm saving the spaces up front "for the old folks".

I get yelled at, there's a closer space up there when I'm parking farther from the door. But don't get in her way when she going for her daily 3 mile run, and twice today if the weather is rain tomorrow!

 

[Time2]

When I got a haircut, I got the senior citizens discount without asking. I also did not like seeing all the white hair being cut off.

That was one of my shocks! My wife cuts my hair and covers me with a black plastic apron. I once noticed all the grey hair falling on the apron, I said, "WHOSE HAIR IS THAT!

 

[folivier]

One of the latest was last week while buying our motorhome for our upcoming Alaska trip next year. Talking with the seller on the phone he told me an older lady was going to buy it but backed out. He said good thing since she was at least 70! Looked at my DW and just shook my head. BTW I'm 70.