Policemen Looking Younger

MiffyMiffy Shipmate
We learned this week that both our dentist of 20 years plus and our GP, have retired. Policemen have looked younger for years now, clergy are going that way, even bishops! Officials at the train station call me “‘madam,” or worse...”Dear,” or “Love.” When I look at the news, the up and coming running the place look, if not exactly our children’s age, pretty near.

Is there anything else I should expect as I shamble my weary way along to three score years and ten?
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Comments

  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    Missed edit.

    In the interests of positivity, guess I should ask: what are the upsides of approaching seniority?
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Reminds me of a ffoukes cartoon: mature lady in doctor's surgery 'Are you quite sure you're old enough to examine people?'
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    Firenze wrote: »
    Reminds me of a ffoukes cartoon: mature lady in doctor's surgery 'Are you quite sure you're old enough to examine people?'

    Oh dear, yes!



  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Every time they introduce a professor and bring in a person who looks 14 years old!

    Positives? Not many tbf - I recommend sticking at 50!
  • I have read that life can be divided into two parts: Your doctor is older than you, and your doctor is younger than you.
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    I’m definitely in part two.
  • SparrowSparrow Shipmate
    Or the Prime Minister is younger than you- as the last three have been for me!
  • MMMMMM Shipmate
    Oh, Miffy, yes! I remember the horror of going from ‘Miss’ to ‘Madam’, and it wasn’t a patch on the horror of going from ‘Madam’ to ‘Dear’.

    MMM
  • orfeoorfeo Shipmate
    mousethief wrote: »
    I have read that life can be divided into two parts: Your doctor is older than you, and your doctor is younger than you.

    Last month I discovered that my doctor is about 7 months younger than me.
  • A Feminine ForceA Feminine Force Shipmate
    edited February 28
    On my last trip to France, I noticed the Gendarmes Nationales patrolling the airport with their uzis tucked under their arms seemed barely old enough to be shaving. One literally still had down on his cheeks (and acne).

    I wanted to ask them "Does your mother know you are playing with that thing?"

    AFF
  • What gets me is pop stars. I mean, I know the ones I remember are not as old as Noah, but sometimes it is still a shock. sometimes, it is ashock that they are still alive.

    But the real shock is seeing new bands. Not that they are younger than me (I fully expect that). It is when I see ands who are 10 years younger than my kids.

    Then I feel really old.

    Benefits - you stop worrying about what other people think. You are no longer having to endear yourself to other people.
  • I take huge pleasure in being referred to as “ the old one” when one of my regulars books in to see me.

    Gives the admin staff a giggle so a win all around
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    What gets me is pop stars. I mean, I know the ones I remember are not as old as Noah, but sometimes it is still a shock. sometimes, it is ashock that they are still alive.

    But the real shock is seeing new bands. Not that they are younger than me (I fully expect that). It is when I see ands who are 10 years younger than my kids.

    Then I feel really old.

    Benefits - you stop worrying about what other people think. You are no longer having to endear yourself to other people.

    Yes. Quite often if I’m not sure if one’s still alive, I assume they might have popped off during those years that we lived overseas, sans internet or English TV services. Though I’m sometimes pleasantly surprised to discover that someone I’d thought was dead long ago is still around.

  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    Sojourner wrote: »
    I take huge pleasure in being referred to as “ the old one” when one of my regulars books in to see me.

    Gives the admin staff a giggle so a win all around
    I’m sure I’ve told this tale umpteen times before, (itself a sign of encroaching old age), of the time on the train when I noticed a teenager grumbling to the buffet car attendant about the disgraceful behaviour of passengers who were too selfish to give up their seats to those less able to stand, “Like that poor old lady over there!”

    It took me several seconds to realise that he was referring to Yours Truly.😮
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    edited February 28
    Miffy wrote: »
    Officials at the train station call me “‘madam,” or worse...”Dear,” or “Love.”
    Being born and reared in the American South, it was drummed into my head from infancy that you always addressed any adult older than you as “ma’am” or “sir.” That meant, of course, that a child addresses all adults as “ma’am” or “sir,” so I certainly didn’t think anything of it when I was in my 20s and nieces or nephews said “yes, sir” to me. But many Southerners can remember with horror the first time got “ma’amed” or “sirred” by someone in their 20s.

  • SparrowSparrow Shipmate
    MMM wrote: »
    Oh, Miffy, yes! I remember the horror of going from ‘Miss’ to ‘Madam’, and it wasn’t a patch on the horror of going from ‘Madam’ to ‘Dear’.

    MMM

    Or even worse - "Darling", which seems to be the default term of address in the UK to an older person from a younger. I hate it, it's not only patronising but far too intimate.
  • TrudyTrudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    My doctor recently retired and I was assigned to a new one within the practice. Since her last name is an unusual one where we live, I made inquiries of my husband and confirmed that, as I suspected, my husband worked for the doctor's father back when we were first married and he can remember this apparently qualified physician running around the place as a little toddler. This does not seem possible or right, but there you have it.
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Mystery Worship Editor
    Firemen look younger too. :heart:

    I have a photo of my grandmother on my dresser. She looks just like I remember her as looking. But every once in awhile it gives me pause to think that I'm older now than she was in that photo.
  • To quote an old friend "I look in the mirror every morning and wonder who is the old bat staring back at me?".
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    Firemen look younger too. :heart:

    I have a photo of my grandmother on my dresser. She looks just like I remember her as looking. But every once in awhile it gives me pause to think that I'm older now than she was in that photo.

    I passed on the chance of having my jab done in a fire station or I could have tested your theory. I have it on good authority that there are actual firefighters giving vaccinations. ❤️ Sigh...

  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Miffy wrote: »
    What gets me is pop stars. I mean, I know the ones I remember are not as old as Noah, but sometimes it is still a shock. sometimes, it is ashock that they are still alive.

    But the real shock is seeing new bands. Not that they are younger than me (I fully expect that). It is when I see ands who are 10 years younger than my kids.

    Then I feel really old.

    Benefits - you stop worrying about what other people think. You are no longer having to endear yourself to other people.

    Yes. Quite often if I’m not sure if one’s still alive, I assume they might have popped off during those years that we lived overseas, sans internet or English TV services. Though I’m sometimes pleasantly surprised to discover that someone I’d thought was dead long ago is still around.

    What happens to me is bands I think of as new and current turn out to have actually been popular 20 years ago.

    None of my kids are into popular music so I don't even have a proxy finger on the pulse. Despite following up various suggestions its decades since I've heard any recent music I've liked so I haven't a clue what's current really.
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    edited February 28
    One thing about not caring about what others think is not worrying about clothing fashion. It's all been around at least once, so I look at it and either say, "That's back! Cool!" or "That's back. No, I think I'll take a pass."

    And I've never been bothered about stating my age. "Say it loud- I'm 66 and I'm proud!"
  • TelfordTelford Shipmate
    What gets me is pop stars. I mean, I know the ones I remember are not as old as Noah, but sometimes it is still a shock. sometimes, it is ashock that they are still alive.
    Sir Cliff will always be a Young One

  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    When your contemporaries start retiring comes as quite a shock. They can't possibly be old enough - they're the same age as me!
  • The sobering thing for me has been to listen to Sounds of the 70s each week. Johnny Walker reads out the birthdays of some of my heros: "So-and-so is 76 on Thursday and Thingummy-Bob will be 74 on Friday " :flushed:

    I feel very old at that point. And these are the ones who are still alive!

    The other disconcerting thing is when I say something like "Do you remember when Bob Willis crushed the Aussies at Headingley?" Only for someone to reply, "That was before I was born!"
  • Our local national newspaper (“The National Newspaper of Wales”) publishes a daily list of birthdays, and it’s quite a shock to read that rock stars of my youth are now in their 70s.
  • Piglet wrote: »
    When your contemporaries start retiring comes as quite a shock. They can't possibly be old enough - they're the same age as me!
    And then you retire yourself. :flushed:

  • We were arranging house insurance for our new place (getting keys this week). I happily put down that Mr Cats is retired. Then it asked about me and I realised that though below retirement age (says she, hastily) I will be functionally retired when we leave here and move there. It was a bit of a moment!
  • TrudyTrudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    Regarding the aging pop stars, my daughter (now 20) was saying a couple of years ago "I often get those older British male actors confused with each other." I said, "I know, me too, sometimes." I was thinking of people like Sir Alec Guiness, Sir John Gielgud ... all the Sirs, basically.

    So, imagine my shock when she went on, "You know, like Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, those guys ..."

    Those. Older. Actors.

    Who are forever charming and boyish (and quite distinct) in my mind.

    I was very much taken aback. But in the most recent role I saw Hugh Grant in, he was playing, well, an old man. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    @Trudy, add Simon Williams and Nigel Havers to your list. Sigh...🙃
  • There are adults (ADULTS!) out there for whom a "classic film from before I was born" is Toy Story. Not Casablanca or Gone With The Wind or even bloody Mary Poppins. How can this be possible??? :tired_face:
  • questioningquestioning Shipmate
    I still remember the day I said to a friend, "A lovely young woman did the intake appointment with my son" (he was 10). As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew that I was OLD!
  • I heard a young man say he was looking to buy an old antique car and rebuild it. Then he added, " I am thinking 1980's or 90's model"
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    I heard a story of someone getting carded for booze (21 in the US) and the person hardly looked at it, and said, "It's okay I saw the 19." "The 19?" "You know, like 1992, or 1995."
    orfeo wrote: »
    mousethief wrote: »
    I have read that life can be divided into two parts: Your doctor is older than you, and your doctor is younger than you.

    Last month I discovered that my doctor is about 7 months younger than me.

    It's all downhill from here.
    KarlLB wrote: »
    What happens to me is bands I think of as new and current turn out to have actually been popular 20 years ago.

    Yes! Then you read things like "Baby Got Back came out 20 years ago today" or "Nirvana's Nevermind album turns 30 this year" and feel like dust.

  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    mousethief wrote: »
    I heard a story of someone getting carded for booze (21 in the US) and the person hardly looked at it, and said, "It's okay I saw the 19." "The 19?" "You know, like 1992, or 1995."
    orfeo wrote: »
    mousethief wrote: »
    I have read that life can be divided into two parts: Your doctor is older than you, and your doctor is younger than you.

    Last month I discovered that my doctor is about 7 months younger than me.

    It's all downhill from here.
    KarlLB wrote: »
    What happens to me is bands I think of as new and current turn out to have actually been popular 20 years ago.

    Yes! Then you read things like "Baby Got Back came out 20 years ago today" or "Nirvana's Nevermind album turns 30 this year" and feel like dust.

    Happens to us all. By the time Al Stewart persuaded his record company to put Class of '58 https://youtu.be/yT6FXlCFGZE on an album they were making TV shows of aging rock and rollers.
  • DafydDafyd Shipmate
    A few years back a twenty something year old explained to me that South Georgia was an island in the southern Atlantic Ocean, as if nothing newsworthy had ever happened there.
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    For about five years prior to me being old enough for a railcard, I had to fend off enquiries from station staff as to whether I had one.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    People who don’t know what you mean when you talk about Millennium parties.
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Which made me think of the long-forgotten Y2K glitch and the year 2000. The amount of time we spent worrying that computers all around the world would collapse when they had to use dating for a new century.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    I thought of relating an anecdote to my downstairs neighbours (who are in their 30s) - but the point depends on knowing who Jomo Kenyatta was.
  • A younger colleague gave a talk to the pupils on the Yugoslav break-up as part of a History class. That made me feel old.

    Then an even younger colleague said to me "I'm too young to remember that really. Was it a big thing on the news at the time?" That made me feel really old, although I am only in my forties!
  • A younger colleague gave a talk to the pupils on the Yugoslav break-up as part of a History class. That made me feel old.

    Then an even younger colleague said to me "I'm too young to remember that really. Was it a big thing on the news at the time?" That made me feel really old, although I am only in my forties!

    I'm in my 30s and it makes me feel old. You couldn't move for news of the Bosnian war.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I think my first "feeling old" moment came when one of the Belfast choristers asked if I'd watched Fawlty Towers, which was being repeated on the BBC at the time (probably early 90s). "No", I replied, "but I saw it the first time round".

    Then I suddenly realised that was before the chorister had been born ... :flushed:

    Re: classic films - Chariots of Fire is older now than Whisky Galore was the first time I saw it.
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Mystery Worship Editor
    Firenze wrote: »
    I thought of relating an anecdote to my downstairs neighbours (who are in their 30s) - but the point depends on knowing who Jomo Kenyatta was.
    Then the point would be totally lost on me, although I am in my 70s.

    It is something of a shock to realize that many people I deal with were not alive in the 20th century.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Firenze wrote: »
    I thought of relating an anecdote to my downstairs neighbours (who are in their 30s) - but the point depends on knowing who Jomo Kenyatta was.
    Then the point would be totally lost on me, although I am in my 70s.

    Possibly because the US was not the colonial power in east Africa in the 1950s. Various British possession gaining independence was a leitmotif of the news in those days. Anyone remember Archbishop Makarios? General Grivas?
  • Wait... General Grivas? So General Grievous in the Star Wars prequels was a joke name?
  • Firenze wrote: »
    Anyone remember Archbishop Makarios? General Grivas?

    And also Ian Smith, Haile Selasse, Hastings Banda and Idi Amin.
  • mousethief wrote: »
    I heard a story of someone getting carded for booze (21 in the US) and the person hardly looked at it, and said, "It's okay I saw the 19." "The 19?" "You know, like 1992, or 1995."

    I was shocked when the kids at work (apparently functional adults with degrees and stuff) started showing up with birthdates in the 90s. It won't be long until our first new millenium baby shows up.

    In my head, I'm still 23, which is why it comes as a shock to meet adults who weren't born when I was first 23.

  • I once tried to explain to my (then) teenage kids that when I was their age there were only three TV channels and they all closed down by 11pm. That's when they started treating me like something that had been found by archaeologists.

    My daughter is a HUGE Eurovision fan. A couple of years ago, she was genuinely amazed that I had watched Eurovision the year that Abba blew everyone away. Because that was soooo long ago......
  • PigwidgeonPigwidgeon Shipmate
    And also Ian Smith, Haile Selasse, Hastings Banda and Idi Amin.

    Good friends of our in New York City had been told to leave Uganda in the middle of the night -- Amin was unhappy with them. (He was an Anglican priest, she was a deaconess.) They left -- on foot -- he was carrying a Bible, and she had a spare dress, and they gathered whatever money they could. They made it to Kenya -- where they discovered that Ugandan money was totally worthless. But, thanks to the Church, they made it to New York -- they studied at General Seminary, he worked at a local church, etc. Amin wreaked havoc in their home town, but after he left they went back to Uganda.

    That was in the late 70s. Twenty years later I was at the Episcopal General Convention and met a Ugandan Bishop. I mentioned knowing this couple, feeling very silly saying anything since there are zillions of Anglicans in Uganda. The Bishop's face lit up -- he knew them well, they were in his Diocese, and the wife had just been made a Canon a few weeks earlier.

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