Can you remember the first time someone said to you "Oh you're just an old person"

I might be insulted if someone called me "ma'am, but never if the greeting is "sir".

I think much of it may be the demeanor of the person being addressed. Some folks seem to go through life (based on their comments about a variety of subjects) living in a state of negativity. Almost always being treated poorly by friends, relatives, and/or strangers. Others drift along rarely mentioning ( at least here in the group) a slight or insult being received.

The only other comment that puzzles me is the connection with the South and "sir and ma'am? I've been a New Englander all of my life and recall the term being used in my grandparents and parents day as well as in the present. It's been the norm in my life, whether from young to older folks or among strangers in general. It's the only courteous manner to address someone who is a stranger to you - -at least IMHO.
 

DaveA said:
I might be insulted if someone called me "ma'am, but never if the greeting is "sir".

I think much of it may be the demeanor of the person being addressed. Some folks seem to go through life (based on their comments about a variety of subjects) living in a state of negativity. Almost always being treated poorly by friends, relatives, and/or strangers. Others drift along rarely mentioning ( at least here in the group) a slight or insult being received.

The only other comment that puzzles me is the connection with the South and "sir and ma'am? I've been a New Englander all of my life and recall the term being used in my grandparents and parents day as well as in the present. It's been the norm in my life, whether from young to older folks or among strangers in general. It's the only courteous manner to address someone who is a stranger to you - -at least IMHO.
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It's a Stereotype of the "South" that we so easily (rightly or wrongly) fall into.
 
I've never been called an "old person" to my face, but do get called Ma'am, sometimes. I usually do not like it, as it's usually said patronizingly. However, if they wish to address me as if I were the Queen of England, I will not object to that. So partly it's the tone in which it's said.

I do think there is some validity to the ageism complaint. Not so much overt insults, but just sort of treating you as if you and your opinions are all irrelevant. I remember once belonging to an organization where an older couple decided to resign their membership. When I asked why, he said, "Because we're tired of being treated as if we are the wallpaper!"
 
Sunny said:
I've never been called an "old person" to my face, but do get called Ma'am, sometimes. I usually do not like it, as it's usually said patronizingly. However, if they wish to address me as if I were the Queen of England, I will not object to that. So partly it's the tone in which it's said.

I do think there is some validity to the ageism complaint. Not so much overt insults, but just sort of treating you as if you and your opinions are all irrelevant. I remember once belonging to an organization where an older couple decided to resign their membership. When I asked why, he said, "Because we're tired of being treated as if we are the wallpaper!"
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Well the gallant couple you mentioned that resigned their membership to an organization that treat them as if they were nothing more they did the right thing.
I am wearing out this statement you'd be surprised what comes out the mouth of many American youth when they are in the presence of older persons. I had no idea of how ageism is so widespread until I reached the status of becoming of a senior citizen myself. all I can say is wow!
The internet has been my greatest source of guidance and learning on how to deal with the impact of ageism.

It was about a year ago I happened to be living room my living room my husband had changed the TV to a Local PBS station and a program was playing the name of it was called "Growing Bolder" it is about senior citizens 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 years old living vibrant creative and exciting lives. That program was greatest thing to happen to me since I entered my golden years. The man who created the program name is Marc Middleton.

He has also written a book titled Growing Bolder. It comes in cover or you can purchase through Kindle Books. I chose the kindle format and Each time I read a portion of the book it is uplifting. It helps me to endures those quirks of ageism I constantly run into. I am going to share a few pieces from the growing bolder program with you hope you like them and I hope you will go they their website. afterwards.
https://www.growingbolder.com/


 
Aunt Bea said:
No, but I do remember when I became invisible.

At first, it bothered me but I've come to accept it as part of life.

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My granny had a rocking chair that would rock sometimes when no one was in the room. She would hear it rocking and it would stop when she went into the room. She lived in Kentucky.. đź‘˝ Any ways this rocking chair reminds me of my granny who baked best biscuits in the world in a wood fired stove.
 
Yeah, just a month or so ago
Some scrawny little townie turd was hanging around the neighborhood, checking things out
I can spot a no gooder a mile away
Hoodie pulled over his goofy head

Asked him if I could help him
Said he was looking for his cat
Told him it wasn't behind my neighbor's house, or any other house, and to git

He said, 'What're you gonna do about it, old man?'
Told him what I was gonna do, while walking t'ward him
He gave out a nervous laugh, then beat feet

Too bad

I'll wait for another one

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No one has ever said that to me. In fact, when I'm walking down the street I've gotten so often "Good morning (or afternoon) young lady". I laugh to myself and after awhile I thought...that must just be the current terminology used when greeting a woman. I've been "carded" when asking for senior fare on the bus and mistaken for at least 20 years younger. I've been told I put Gen-X'ers to shame when I dance and I do not do all that fancy stuff either. LOL :D
 
One stereotype about older people is that we are all completely ignorant about technology. One time when I was sending a text on my iphone, my granddaughter's friend saw me and said, "Oh, look at you, texting away, that's so cool!" (Well-meaning, but still...)

I felt like saying, "You little twerp, I was programming computers before you were born!" But I didn't.
 
Sunny said:
One stereotype about older people is that we are all completely ignorant about technology. One time when I was sending a text on my iphone, my granddaughter's friend saw me and said, "Oh, look at you, texting away, that's so cool!" (Well-meaning, but still...)

I felt like saying, "You little twerp, I was programming computers before you were born!" But I didn't.
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Maybe not so twerpy.

When I've pressed younger folks further about remarks like that by asking something like, "Why would you think that I wouldn't be texting?" the answer is nearly always that the seniors in their lives have avoided technology and are therefore difficult for kids to electronically communicate with. Underneath her remark was probably some envy that rather than whining about it, her friend's grandmother embraced the technological world in which their generation lives.
 
StarSong said:
If the people in your town are as awful as you've described on this forum, why in the world would you want to stay there?
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I am a new member here in my second thread I gave a long explanation why I still live in city that resembles a scene from Nightmare on Elm Street( Speaking of which "The Nightmare on Elm Street" film crew came to my city on May 22, 2009 to actually shoot a scene in an old abandoned Methodist Church)
I don't want to put you or anyone else through that long winding whine again. You would find it despairing and it would make me look like a nip- con- poop. And all of you would try your best to avoid replying to my best effort threads. I would find that emotionally traumatic.

So all I will say I am married to a stubborn man who completely blinded to the dire circumstances we live. He refuses to leave here. He thinks it's great here. He is in extreme need of therapy. So that wraps it up. Do you understand where I am coming from now?
 
No-one has actually said it, but I think it's in their minds. Old folks are just taking up space, what use are they?
 

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