This is true. I'm only 54 but with mostly grey hair I've already been treated as if I was frail and unaware of my surroundings, and not just in the doctor's office.

It can be a challenge to not take offense and politely make it clear that I don't need help carrying my groceries to the car.

What's really fun is that I am a remote worker. Most of my coworkers have never seen me face to face, only phone and IM. The look on their face is priceless when they finally do meet me and realize I'm old enough to be their father.


-Tim-

The AARP magazine and newsletters are full of interesting stuff: A curious mix of useful and not-so-useful information. And ads that make me lust after step-in bathtubs, simple-to-use smartphones, buttons to push for help and now this bicycle thing. "I've fallen off my bike and can't get up!"

My grandma told me long ago, "You youngsters will find out what it's like to get old, IF YOU DON'T DIE FIRST!!!"

She was funny like that sometimes. A little bitter, but I laughed at the simple truth of her comment. Actually, I don't think I laughed out loud until later.

yeah great sign! looks like good riding

Yep, Sequoia Park and the big trees are 25 miles up the road from there:

That looks it could be more effective than a Garmin Varia

Absolutely spot-on in both respects.

I think it was Barnaby Jones (or was Burt Mustin?) who once quipped, "An 'old person' is anyone who's more than about 15 years older than I am."

I ain't my father's 71 year-old. At 71 my father complained about walking 50 feet. I won't complain until mile marker 50.

The key to me is respect. Different cultures have different language. For example: When I go into a country restaurant, or a Diner I expect to be a "Sweetie", or some variation of "Hon". That just the culture. On the other hand, when I go to a top floor restaurant I expect to floor treatment. Not the snooty throw the food on the table and leave thing. Two restaurant example to illustrate the point.

What bugs me are two things. First, when they will not believe me. One example was in Denver when the medical folks put drugs on my medicine list I was not taking. "Are you sure you aren't taking these." ""Well, if you aren't, you should be. " Then, there are the people who look me in the eye and either verbally, or by body language say: "Get out of the way you old cripple "

Fortunately both are in the minority. Most of the time people go out of their way to help. Sometimes I need it and appreciate the help. Other times not. But, I want to encourage civility and helpfulness. So I always smile and say "Thank you"

I figure part of my duty as an elder is to reinforce good behavior to overcome the rudeness and self centered that is all too common. That also means me not being so self centered as to get my panties in a twist over truly minor things. Respect.

I just smile and don't argue when I am offered - without my asking - a free or low-cost Senior Drink or the Senior Discount.

Do you smile remembering when you where a senior in high school trying to get a drink?

People who worry about things like this are elderly.

Elderly is 10 years older than one's age.

None of these folks consider themselves "elderly." Just don't call us Sweetie, Dearie, Young Man, Hon

It pisses me off, too, but at least no one has called me spry with a twinkle in my eye. I intend to go apesh*t on the first person who says that to me. Then I'll be heavily sedated and sent to the old folks home I guess.

An updated version as of this morning:

I don't feel old at 77.5, but I realize I am when younger people offer me their seat on a bus or train!

I see the term elder as totally different from the term elderly. The former denotes the wisdom that comes with age, while the latter connotes an image of some form of physical or mental deterioration. With that understanding, 65 may be defined as senior but not necessarily elderly.

There are two things I know......I'm here. It's now.

Actually, I've always kinda liked being called sweetie, hon and similar casual terms of endearment by waitresses. Heck, it's why I go to the Waffle House and places like that once in awhile. Maybe it's just a Southern thing, part of the casual dining vibe.

And I don't mind anymore when people call me "sir". If someone believes that's appropriate, why discourage any display of civility?

Now you see feel just the opposite. I find it highly offensive when someone I don't know refers to me in the familiar. Maybe its because I spend so many years working in the service sector, and at all the establishment I worked for, it was forbidden to address any patron/customer/client in any manner other than formally.

In fact, in nearly 30 years of working in the service industry (as well as in my personal life) I can only recall two occasions when I broke that rule, and in both those instances it was only because each of those individuals asked me to. I also feel its now my turn to get the respect I always gave to my elders growing up -- and still do.Its never inappropriate to address someone formally, and as I pointed out above many establishments require it. In interacting with nearly a million people over the years, no one (regardless of age or gender) has ever complained about me being too formal. However, doing the reverse could most certainly get you in a lot of trouble.

+1
One medical office calls me by Dr. - (not medical) and I appreciate that - I worked hard to get that degree. I shiver whenever the MD world calls you by your first name as if one were a child. It is a purposeful strategy they use to make one feel subservient, IMHO, and one that never happened when I was a kid.

Where'd I leave my gosh-durn keys???

What makes you so sure?

Descartes