There has been a tendency for some commentators and reporters to congratulate those who have reached their high 90's or into their 100's by saying they are xxx-years YOUNG. This is an INSULT! These wonderful Seniors have pride in how far they have come and the years they have accumulated, and it's a put-down or a slap in the face to say they are 97 years young or 106 years young. This belittles the noble years they have acquired, and cheapens the congratulations. When I'm into my high 90's or over 100, I certainly don't want to hear that my years are YOUNG! Hal
I don't like it either. I EARNED my years! For me, every wrinkle is like a general's war medal. I wear them proudly because I survived long enough to get them. I also don't like being called sweetie by a young cashier.
I agree; I hate that "years young" B.S. I also don't like being called "young lady." I'm neither young nor a lady, so stuff it, buster.
I think people today have become overly sensitive to comments that are made in good spirit. What's wrong with say the someone is 90 years young? If a person feels young in their hearts, then I would see it as a compliment, not an insult. I going to be 61 soon, but I absolutely refuse to grow up! We need to stop searching for the negativity in every uttered word, and spend time finding something positive instead. Just my humble opinion
@Ann Leonard How many times over the years have I thought about the way my Mother found some good in virtually every situation! Fortunately, my wife got to know her pretty well before she passed away in 1986. And she (my wife) unhesitatingly reminds me when my own negativity boils over, of my Mother's ways, which I do not seem to have inherited, nor been able to emulate her. Frank
I don't like being called 'Mama' by strangers. I think it's rude, but I understand in some cultures it's a compliment. I used to say "I'm Not Your Mama" and "I'm not Old Enough to be Your Mama." Now I usually say nothing. I agree, Holly, Patronising is a good word for it; also condescending. Great thread, Hal!
Perhaps some Seniors take these statements a little too personally. Wife and I have received many nice compliments concerning our looks and age. In fact, I have to tell some folks that don't think I'm 70, "Well, I made my first Navy Westpac Cruise to Vietnam, out of San Diego, California, on Dec. 28th, 1968. And, by the way, it also helps that I use Just For Men Hair Color on my temples and mustache. My wife colors her hair as well."
Dunno and personally I do not care one way or the other. Cosmetic surgeons and the makers of skin creams and potions are making a ton on older folks wanting to look younger. One guy I know at the gym shaved his mustache because someone told him he would look younger. I spend no less than an hour a day trying to build muscle mass and get healthier than my years should allow. Even on just about every forum I have been on, people with personal avatars tend to post pictures of themselves as they were years ago. If someone asks, “what’s up old man”? I don’t care. I’m old. If someone says, “what’s up young man?” I don’t care, but it could be a compliment for all the hard work I’m doing. Either way, I just spent the better part of 3 or 4 minutes writing this post and that’s about all the time I’m going to spend worrying about it. After all, worrying creates worry lines and I already have enough of them.
I keep hearing the same. Often I'm still addressed as "young man". Yet I know that that will stop one day. So I don't take offence. I know that this kind of youthism is a result of the marketing strategies and recruitment policy of many businesses for which people beyond a certain age simply don't exist. And that rubs off. Why is it that customers didn't want to talk to people like me when I was nearing retirement age which obviously showed? "Don't you have young(er) staff I can talk to?" I or my boss often heard (younger) customers complain? So older employees became a liability to the business. Now relate that to our our government's waffle about making older folks work longer, i.e., at least up until 67 or 70. These are armchair decisions which have nothing whatsoever to do with real life. Businesses ought to change their policy and consumers first. My avatar is one year old, taken right before I joined this forum. Will keep you posted on my decay.