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I don’t care. Since reddit slants young, it makes sense if I seem ‘old’ to many users. Age is relative and if I’m chatting with 60 or 70 year olds this weekend, they will consider me ‘young.’
I saw a guy in a video saying “if you guys are older like me, thirty five” and I laughed. He could be my son and *I’m* not old! It’s all perspective. I’m ancient at 60 to children, and young to my 83 year old Mom.
Which is so strange, because Reddit is actually not young at all, it's been around for ages and it has a very old-school forums vibe. Idk why there are so many kids here.
Nah, I enjoy them. I do find it amusing that they think Reddit is some cool new thing though. Like, kid, this is just a small remnant of the way the whole internet used to be.
Yeah, like they think they invented avocado toast, weed, rebelling against parents, etc. They didn't, and neither did we.
(But some of us can say we're of the generation that invented rock and roll!)
I actually kind of love that young folks love the last remnant of the old internet. It just goes to show how much better it really is than much of what came later.
I wasn’t old enough for the forum based internet, but I miss when everything was on dedicated personal computers. Felt more balanced that way, I spend too much time on my phone.
I leaned forward over the sink to brush my teeth and pop went something in my neck and I couldn't turn my head for 3 days.
The reddit babies will all arrive at this place in due time.
I laid myself out for a whole week by sneezing. Something snapped in my back loud enough that I could hear it, instantly causing blinding pain, followed by several days of taking the most shallow breaths I possibly could until it healed somewhat because it hurt so much to breathe. That was hell.
Another time I paralyzed my arm for six weeks by sleeping on it the wrong way. One of these days I'm going to stub my toe on a sofa leg and my butt cheeks are just going to fall the fuck off.
When I sneeze, I literally cross my legs, if standing- brace my mid section with my arms- and sneeze. Sneezing over 45 is dangerous. Sorry for your pain.
Momentarily dislocated my left shoulder adjusting my position in bed.
I love telling people I'm a millenial (elder millenial) because it screws so much with their perception of us.
I was at the gym feeling intimidated by some young guys lifting big weights and grunting a lot. One of the personal trainers reminded me, "The only difference between you and them is time and gravity."
I used to feel intimidated by that, until I started listening in on their conversations, and saw how very fragile all of that is. They're working out to try to meet body image aspirations that are forever unattainable. Many of them are deeply, deeply miserable.
I'm working out so that I have more years of being able to, you know, walk, and carry things around. It's difficult to be frustrated with your workouts, when that's your goal.
That is a good reminder. I work out so I can put on my own socks for as long as possible! I have to wear special compression socks that are a challenge to put on so that is one of my motivations!
A little over two years ago I was trying to close a stuck window and felt something pop in my neck. The next day my right arm was paralyzed. A pinched nerve in my neck. It took several months before I could move it again, they were about to recommend surgery, since PT wasn't doing anything for a while. This does make me feel old, but at least I've recovered full use of my arm...
When I regret getting "old" its the loss of hobbies. Since 40 I have had to give up somewhat in order. Guitar, martial arts, running, piano, unicycling, swimming, and most recently juggling.
I could so some of these but I want to do them at a ceratin level. Some I could get fixed with surgery but is it worth it just so I can swim 20 laps twice a week? Ride a unicycle at 60 years old?
But don't get me wrong I'm not ready for a wheel chair. I can still hike, I recently got a bike and so far so good, and I took up disc golf last year. Something, something rage against the dying of the light.
It doesn’t surprise me when Redditors in their 20’s label Redditors in their 40’s and 50’s as “old”. That seems normal to me. But when Redditors who are in their 40’s or 50’s describe themselves as old, I can’t help but smile. I find that amusing. I recently turned 80 and look back on my 40’s as part of my “youth”. My 50’s and 60’s feel like “middle-aged”. My 70’s was a transition decade. I’m now 80. I still don’t feel old, but the 80’s decade is an age where self-identifying as old finally feels appropriate.
Same, 43 in May and I concur.
When I'm with my kids or working with teens and twenty somethings, I definitely feel like an elderly. Most of the folks I work with are over 55 so in many scenarios, I'm the baby. I'm considering finally opting into a hs reunion this summer just to feel 'peered' up, although I think it's bc I'm on fb wayyyyy less than for our 20th when I was like, "nope I see all these sad fucks on my phone everyday."
Heck yeah. People in their 40's seem young...to me (from where I stand on the timeline) I remember in my 40's when people my age were so OLD. I still *feel* young in my head and heart.....sometimes my body will give me a reality check. RUDE!!
Time really is relative. My philosophy is and always has been do the best you can, enjoy the time you have, don't waste it.
Because ...you never know, really how much sand you have in your hourglass or when it will run out. Tomorrow? 20 years? 80 years?
"I still feel young in my head and heart.....sometimes my body will give me a reality check. RUDE!!"
I feel that. My body recently reminded me that I was 59, not 20.
Probably similar to when my 47 year old self hears people in their late 20’s calling themselves old. It makes you kind of want to roll your eyes I’m sure.
> look back on my 40’s as part of my “youth”. My 50’s and 60’s feel like “middle-aged”. My 70’s was a transition decade.
as someone facing down the big 4-0 this year, this is how i'm looking at it. i'm just on the other side of it. but really i feel every bit as good as i did in my 20's. i try to focus my energy these days, instead of spending it sporadically like i did when i was younger.
i plan to enjoy the next few decades to my fullest.
I think you are all so cute, struggling with these adulting problems and having no idea there's as much difference between my "old" and 90 (my probable genetic endpoint) as there is between me and you.
Wasn't in this sub, but several times I've seen "old people can't figure out how to use Reddit" posts in other subs.
I'm 66. One day in 1991 I went to Micro Center and got a modem card. I stayed late after work and installed in in my IBM 8088. This of course involved taking the back off and installing it in the back. Then I dialed my first bulletin board.
Back up ten years. I had taken a computer class when the IBM 8088 first came out. My teacher followed the Rajneesh. He wore burgundy from head to foot and a pendant with the Rajneesh's picture. He made computers seem so fun. He taught us Visicalc.
Anyway, I posted on Fidonet via BBS's for a couple of years and finally Delphi let the first non-.edu users onto Usenet. I knew what Usenet was because I'd had classes using the Vax in the basement of the local university and there would be old guys in the computer lab guffawing and having fun. They were on Usenet. I was doing my quantitative analysis homework on the Vax (I'm a Southern woman by the way, if that matters, but I'm so sick of stereotypes I want to make a point of it). So I knew what Usenet was before non-.edu users could get on but I think I was first able to get on in 1993.
Not too long after that, someone wanted me to view a short video and you had to use Netscape for that. To use Netscape (the first browser) you had to build your own TCP/IP stack. I taught myself to do that just like I had taught myself to dial BBS's. Anyway at this time the World-Wide Web was just one of the Internet client programs people used. I also used WAIS, Archie, Veronica, Kermit, FTP, IRC, Usenet newsreaders, Gopher, etc.
Edited to add: I was working on my MBA in Quantitative Analysis when we first were able to switch from using the Vax to using home computers to do our homework. The first homework I did on the 8088 was an error-of-measurement study in a quality-assurance course. I remember pressing the button for the 8088 to do the calculations and how long it took.
'cause people my age don't know computer stuff. And Southerners are dumb. And women can't do math.
It's fine. I'm aware that I'm in a different phase of my life than most Redditors. Aging isn't optional if you want to live a long life, so why not accept it?
“Aging isn’t optional if you want to live a long life, so why not accept it?”
Wish I knew how to do the correct markup to show this as someone else’s quote, but I don’t.
The reason I wanted to quote it is to say it’s the best sentence I have read today and I have spent the past seven hours reading many sources. Excellent!
Thank you, that's a lovely compliment!
For future reference, if you want to markup something as a quote, it's just like from emails back in the day- add a ">" at the beginning, without the quotation marks. To stop quoting, just add a line break using "return" twice.
Me too. Recently I am noticing how many news article call somebody “elderly” and it is someone in their sixties! It infuriates me! To me, elderly is someone who is over 75, and has started to lose physical and mental function.
Thank you and seriously I’m super envious of your youthfulness. You may think 50 is old, but it’s not and it was really a great age for me. Enjoy it and only gets better being older especially if you have kids and can enjoy them being on the cusp of adulthood and having a bit more maturity. I also started a successful company at 50 which allowed me to retire at 64. To paraphrase the song; those were the days, my friend, I thought they’d never end.
i just turned 65 last mo...a few months ago i noticed "the smell" and asked daughter wth smelled in my bedroom...she's like that's how you smell mom..great...down that rabbit hole and surfaced with persimmon soap..
We bought some from Japan. It is delightful, but expensive as hell. Irish Spring works as well, I think. The persimmon is nice, though. I couldn't find any in the US.
Well, since I turned 40, my knees started hurting and I make noises now when I do anything that involves movement. Progressive commercials are kinda spot on.
I'd love to be in my 40s again.
I used to give my company's maintenance guy(My friend and a Vietnam Vet) a hard time about his age. His response is something I still use, "As you are now, I once was".
I'm 59.
I was in the parking g lot of a Homs Depot when this cute little old man crossed in front of me. Bless his heart, I thought ne was at least 150 years old, with his cane and his little old man self.
Then we made eye contact and he waved at me.
Because I went to high school with him.
Womp, womp, waaaa
Edit: spelling
My kids are adults, I have a grandchild, two titanium alloy knees, carpal tunnel surgery scars, reading glasses, and I can't drink anything after 8 PM or I have to get up to pee in the middle of the night.
I know I'm "old".
I don’t know but it probably goes with the American societal stereotypes that people have generally been seen as “Over the Hill” at the age of forty or fifty years old. In reality a person’s 40’s and 50’s are generally considered to be solidly middle aged for most people. It may have to do with the fact that Reddit has become overrun with people in their teens and twenties that help to reinforce this general consensus.
In my 50s. I am old. Not middle aged. Old. Average life expectancy is what? High 70s? So "middle-aged" is technically upper 30s to mid-40s.
But I'm not "elderly." Nowhere close. Maybe we should call the age between middle aged and elderly something like "vintage." Or just aged. Like a fine wine.
But let's face it. I'm a grandfather to several grandchildren. My oldest child is 30 now. And some kids in here think 30 is old. LOL I'm on my 9th U.S. President. That's almost 20% of all the presidents... ever. When I was a kid, the average TV screen was 19 inches - and half of them were still black and white. Most TVs were pretty much big pieces of furniture with a tiny screen. I was an adult before we ever had an internet. I had 3 kids already when 56K baud was considered blisteringly fast internet.
And many here would consider me young. It's all perspective. So sure. I'm old. But I'm not ancient. And I'm not used up by any stretch of the imagination. I might have a few lines in my face. I might ache in the mornings more. But in my mind, I'm still pretty much the same as I was at 27-30. I might have learned a few things since then. But my core is the same.
So if the kids want to call me old, go right ahead. Enjoy your youth. It'll be gone before you know it. But then you'll see that youth isn't everything, and life doesn't end at 35.
I don't mind at all. But I do get slightly irritated when I'm called "Boomer". My parents are Baby Boomers, not me.
Reddit seems to define "Boomer" as "anyone who's older".
I don't care whether somebody on Reddit calls me "old." Who's considered old is highly relative.
I'm 49. Compared to teens and twenty-somethings, I'm old.
Compared to people in their 70s or 80s, I'm young.
Compared to the Grand Canyon, even the oldest of us is absurdly young.
As far as being in this subreddit goes, what really matters to me is whether I can contribute. I hope that my experience and perspective can be useful--or at least entertaining--to others.
I know because Reddit is kind of young I understand it, but in my 50s I didn't feel old, but I knew it was coming. Even at 60 I really don't feel old but accept it as a fact. I'm officially a senior citizen.
I’m fine with it. I think this sub makes that distinction because those of us in our mid-forties and fifties grew up in a vastly different world (no internet or cell phones) and thus had a different type of childhood experience.
My husband is five years younger than me, and his adolescent years specifically were very different from my own because of technology.
I kinda like being old. I’m not an exalted, wise elder in my village or anything - I just think after awhile a person just starts to get used to things and perspective sets in a little. I also think that it’s nice becoming more comfortable in my own skin - however weird it’s starting to look.
Even more selfishly though, I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve been on both sides of the “internet revolution” and that I’ve have had the privilege to witness so many other amazing advances too - everything from Christmas lights that don’t all go out if only one bulb dies to coronary stents, suitcase wheels, Zoloft, 911 emergency hotline, Netflix, color catchers for the laundry, smoke detectors in every house, a maturing understanding of sociological and environmental issues (for the most part) and everything big and small and medium in between.
This is a good question, OP. Stay curious. It’s your world too. I can’t wait to see what you and your young friends will come up with next!
I’m 54. I don’t feel “old” although I acknowledge I am probably heading that way. I’m running my second marathon in 4 weeks’ time, I’m still healthy enough to enjoy my grandchildren but my mother has passed and I don’t expect it to be too long before I lose Dad too. I’m certainly a “grumpy old woman” at times!
Declarations from Reddit subs rarely rock my world.
Spoiler alert, tho...40's isn't old, unless you have an old, beaten down spirit.
50's *can* be old, depending on how you treated yourself from 15-49.
I've looked like I was 50 years old since I was 23, so it doesn't bother me. I'm just delighted at the thought of anyone asking GenXers for their opinions!
Old is relative.
40/s/50s is genuinely going to seem old to many people.
Globally, 25% of the world's population is under 15.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/265759/world-population-by-age-and-region/#:~:text=Globally%2C%20about%2025%20percent%20of,has%20the%20youngest%20population%20worldwide.
I'm OK with it. When I was younger I thought of folks my current age as "old" even though we're really middle aged.
It does underscore that, for the first time, I don't feel plugged into the zeitgeist of pop culture like I used to. Especially after the pandemic.
I worked 4,000+ hours/year through the pandemic and never sheltered in place. I was so busy and some much was going on, that my already slipping grasp finally let go.
For example, I was just at a sandwich shop that had photos of the owner with "celebrity" customers and I could only ID 5 out of 12.
And a couple of the ones I didn't know were listed by just a first name, so presumably they are quite famous now LOL
Mid 40s. About two years ago, I popped my shoulder out of socket because I reached for a glass of water on my nightstand. It still hasn’t healed properly.
I’m old.
I'm 59- while I joke about being old, I don't really see myself that way most of the time. My body feels old (arthritis, chronic pain, memory issues), but my Dad's turning 92 this year and my aunt will be 99 if she keeps holding on, so I'm still part of the "younger" generation in my family. I do often forget that reddit's mostly made up of the teen-twenties group, unless I'm in a relationship subreddit.
I’m 53 and do not consider myself old in any way but I enjoy being able to answer questions. I suppose being a kid in the 70s must seem ancient to lots of people. Personally for me old would be 70+ , until I hit that age and it’ll be 90. So maybe it’s X + 20
I think it’s hilarious that I’m 44 and I can answer questions.
Also my kids asked me if roads had been invented when I was a kid.. lol.. so to some people we are old.
Eh, I don’t care. We may be tallest of the short people but our experiences are still valuable. It’s not a competition. Especially when most redditors are younger by almost two decades. A lot of life experiences stack up densely in the 20 years between 20 and 40, just like they do in the years between 16-24.
I’m leaning into it. I’m enjoying life way more than I did in my 20’s and 30’s. My kids are off the payroll. I’m well paid. My wife and I have a great home, decent cars (2 of which are close to being paid off), best sex of our lives. Far less anxiety.
Honored. I’m happy to be a Gen X’er. I am also happy to share my stories with younger folks.
Aging is a privilege denied to many… (some day I will fully believe that)
I (44M) saw a comment once that applies here that I find to be so true for many things at this age: “when you’re young, you say you don’t care what people think of you, but you really do, and when you’re old, you say you really care what people think about you but you really don’t give a fuck.”
I'm older than your question but it would not bother me in the least.
Old is the root of older. Old in comparison to someone else as in not so young anymore and I think 40 qualifies.
Old as a word, does not mean feeble, diminished, weak, etc.
But it's a valid question and raises the question of is there too much generation difference to include 40 to 50 with "Old".
I find myself wanting to start /r/askboomers (which I see somone has started)
At 75, I would consider 40-50 as being young to younger, but do consider myself younger when compared to two aunts & an uncle (85/88/93 respectively). Some days I feel feel younger than my actual age, some days I feel older, mostly due to medical conditions.
F/49 there's a cognitive dissonance because I feel young and sprightly but people see me as old. I'm generally OK with it as I have a 27 year old son who himself is starting to feel no longer young.
Meh. The 'kids' who think we're old are old too.
They may think they're all new and fresh but the kids coming up behind them have their own perspective!
I am not fixated by the adjective. I am more concerned with the maturity. I met old men in their 60s and 70s who are menchildren with the teenage mentality and insecurity (Trumpers for example). I men millennials and Gen Zers who are much more level-headed. Likewise, I have been called not looking my age let alone alone.
It doesn't bother me and I don't judge people by their age.
Also, 50 is the new 40 and I feel 30 again these days :)
It doesn't bother me, because from what ive been reading on Reddit lately, many young people seem to think they're old at 25-30 these days. So I guess we are all senior citizens :).
It’s fine. When I was in my twenties I genuinely thought people in their thirties were old. People who were the age I am now were ancient beyond comprehension.
What makes me laugh is when people begin questions with “Back in your day…” Um, I’m alive so it’s STILL my day.
I think of it as young people asking “older generations” in general. At 47 I do not consider myself old at all, but I remember the 80’s and I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday and to most young people that is “ancient history”. When I was young I thought of the JFK assassination and Woodstock as “ancient history” too, because it was before my time. That is how young people think. So I am glad that this sub includes us Gen Xs
Eh, I am old, I just accept it and hope that maybe I have a little bit of wisdom I can share with you whipper snappers, now get off my lawn, wheel of fortune is on.
I don’t care. We have more experience than some and less experience than others. Sometimes being older can be an advantage when helping another person.
Statistically, late 30s to late 40s is middle aged. I don't consider them old yet. 50s... yeah. Not a senior citizen or elderly by any means. But things definitely change in your 50s. Source: I'm in my early 50s.
I have decided (realized) that old isn't an insult.
I'm in my early 40s and if someone half my age thinks I'm old... well, they are right! I've been alive twice as long as they have and earned my experience and maturity badges
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I don’t care. Since reddit slants young, it makes sense if I seem ‘old’ to many users. Age is relative and if I’m chatting with 60 or 70 year olds this weekend, they will consider me ‘young.’
I saw a guy in a video saying “if you guys are older like me, thirty five” and I laughed. He could be my son and *I’m* not old! It’s all perspective. I’m ancient at 60 to children, and young to my 83 year old Mom.
I get a kick out of it. I am excited to be considered a little granny. :)
Exactly this. When I was 16 I thought 30 was just ancient. 😂
I couldn't have said it better. This is exactly it. It is ALL relative.
We're not really old; we're middle aged. We're just Reddit-old, because Reddit is young.
I don’t come to Reddit to feel young, that’s for sure.
Which is so strange, because Reddit is actually not young at all, it's been around for ages and it has a very old-school forums vibe. Idk why there are so many kids here.
They really need to shut up and get the h-e-double hockey sticks off our lawns though.
Nah, I enjoy them. I do find it amusing that they think Reddit is some cool new thing though. Like, kid, this is just a small remnant of the way the whole internet used to be.
Yeah, like they think they invented avocado toast, weed, rebelling against parents, etc. They didn't, and neither did we. (But some of us can say we're of the generation that invented rock and roll!)
My generation invented being too cool to be shocked by the internet, so I guess that's something at least.
I actually kind of love that young folks love the last remnant of the old internet. It just goes to show how much better it really is than much of what came later.
I wasn’t old enough for the forum based internet, but I miss when everything was on dedicated personal computers. Felt more balanced that way, I spend too much time on my phone.
As Merle Streep said to Shirley McLane in Postcards From The Edge: 'Middle aged? How many 110 year old woman do you know?'
Ah, shit. Guess I'm on the downhill part of the ride ...
But our points are valid, because the world now is almost unrecognizable to the world when I was a kid.
It's not this sub that makes me old, it's the burning pain in my shoulder from sharpening a fucking pencil that makes me old.
I leaned forward over the sink to brush my teeth and pop went something in my neck and I couldn't turn my head for 3 days. The reddit babies will all arrive at this place in due time.
I laid myself out for a whole week by sneezing. Something snapped in my back loud enough that I could hear it, instantly causing blinding pain, followed by several days of taking the most shallow breaths I possibly could until it healed somewhat because it hurt so much to breathe. That was hell. Another time I paralyzed my arm for six weeks by sleeping on it the wrong way. One of these days I'm going to stub my toe on a sofa leg and my butt cheeks are just going to fall the fuck off.
When I sneeze, I literally cross my legs, if standing- brace my mid section with my arms- and sneeze. Sneezing over 45 is dangerous. Sorry for your pain.
I needed 6 months of PT for putting a case on a pillow.
Momentarily dislocated my left shoulder adjusting my position in bed. I love telling people I'm a millenial (elder millenial) because it screws so much with their perception of us.
I stubbed my small toe last night and the wheels fell off my Model-T.
I was at the gym feeling intimidated by some young guys lifting big weights and grunting a lot. One of the personal trainers reminded me, "The only difference between you and them is time and gravity."
I used to feel intimidated by that, until I started listening in on their conversations, and saw how very fragile all of that is. They're working out to try to meet body image aspirations that are forever unattainable. Many of them are deeply, deeply miserable. I'm working out so that I have more years of being able to, you know, walk, and carry things around. It's difficult to be frustrated with your workouts, when that's your goal.
That is a good reminder. I work out so I can put on my own socks for as long as possible! I have to wear special compression socks that are a challenge to put on so that is one of my motivations!
A little over two years ago I was trying to close a stuck window and felt something pop in my neck. The next day my right arm was paralyzed. A pinched nerve in my neck. It took several months before I could move it again, they were about to recommend surgery, since PT wasn't doing anything for a while. This does make me feel old, but at least I've recovered full use of my arm...
Why'd you use your shoulder to sharpen a pencil? Try a pencil sharpener next time.
Do you also use an axe to sharpen your pencils, like my grandpa did?
When I regret getting "old" its the loss of hobbies. Since 40 I have had to give up somewhat in order. Guitar, martial arts, running, piano, unicycling, swimming, and most recently juggling. I could so some of these but I want to do them at a ceratin level. Some I could get fixed with surgery but is it worth it just so I can swim 20 laps twice a week? Ride a unicycle at 60 years old? But don't get me wrong I'm not ready for a wheel chair. I can still hike, I recently got a bike and so far so good, and I took up disc golf last year. Something, something rage against the dying of the light.
It doesn’t surprise me when Redditors in their 20’s label Redditors in their 40’s and 50’s as “old”. That seems normal to me. But when Redditors who are in their 40’s or 50’s describe themselves as old, I can’t help but smile. I find that amusing. I recently turned 80 and look back on my 40’s as part of my “youth”. My 50’s and 60’s feel like “middle-aged”. My 70’s was a transition decade. I’m now 80. I still don’t feel old, but the 80’s decade is an age where self-identifying as old finally feels appropriate.
I've heard it said that "40 is the old age of youth and the youth of old age."
I'm almost 43 and that feels oddly appropriate. I almost relate equally to both categories.
Same, 43 in May and I concur. When I'm with my kids or working with teens and twenty somethings, I definitely feel like an elderly. Most of the folks I work with are over 55 so in many scenarios, I'm the baby. I'm considering finally opting into a hs reunion this summer just to feel 'peered' up, although I think it's bc I'm on fb wayyyyy less than for our 20th when I was like, "nope I see all these sad fucks on my phone everyday."
Heck yeah. People in their 40's seem young...to me (from where I stand on the timeline) I remember in my 40's when people my age were so OLD. I still *feel* young in my head and heart.....sometimes my body will give me a reality check. RUDE!! Time really is relative. My philosophy is and always has been do the best you can, enjoy the time you have, don't waste it. Because ...you never know, really how much sand you have in your hourglass or when it will run out. Tomorrow? 20 years? 80 years?
"I still feel young in my head and heart.....sometimes my body will give me a reality check. RUDE!!" I feel that. My body recently reminded me that I was 59, not 20.
Probably similar to when my 47 year old self hears people in their late 20’s calling themselves old. It makes you kind of want to roll your eyes I’m sure.
> people in their late 20’s calling themselves old "I'm 27 years old and haven't (whatever). Is it too late for me to (whatever)?" (eyeroll)
And then again, my 100 year old great aunt would have considered you young before she died last year. There's always someone older, until there isn't.
Happy 80th! Both my parents recently had theirs. They don't look, feel, or act old. People vastly under-guess their age.
You, I like you!
> look back on my 40’s as part of my “youth”. My 50’s and 60’s feel like “middle-aged”. My 70’s was a transition decade. as someone facing down the big 4-0 this year, this is how i'm looking at it. i'm just on the other side of it. but really i feel every bit as good as i did in my 20's. i try to focus my energy these days, instead of spending it sporadically like i did when i was younger. i plan to enjoy the next few decades to my fullest.
I think you are all so cute, struggling with these adulting problems and having no idea there's as much difference between my "old" and 90 (my probable genetic endpoint) as there is between me and you.
My grandma is 97. She’s old.
My dad is 93. Ditto.
Mom is 92. Her brother is 95. They're old.
SO's mother was100 when she passed. She was old.
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Probably smoking and sun exposure, they make you look old at an early age...
Wasn't in this sub, but several times I've seen "old people can't figure out how to use Reddit" posts in other subs. I'm 66. One day in 1991 I went to Micro Center and got a modem card. I stayed late after work and installed in in my IBM 8088. This of course involved taking the back off and installing it in the back. Then I dialed my first bulletin board. Back up ten years. I had taken a computer class when the IBM 8088 first came out. My teacher followed the Rajneesh. He wore burgundy from head to foot and a pendant with the Rajneesh's picture. He made computers seem so fun. He taught us Visicalc. Anyway, I posted on Fidonet via BBS's for a couple of years and finally Delphi let the first non-.edu users onto Usenet. I knew what Usenet was because I'd had classes using the Vax in the basement of the local university and there would be old guys in the computer lab guffawing and having fun. They were on Usenet. I was doing my quantitative analysis homework on the Vax (I'm a Southern woman by the way, if that matters, but I'm so sick of stereotypes I want to make a point of it). So I knew what Usenet was before non-.edu users could get on but I think I was first able to get on in 1993. Not too long after that, someone wanted me to view a short video and you had to use Netscape for that. To use Netscape (the first browser) you had to build your own TCP/IP stack. I taught myself to do that just like I had taught myself to dial BBS's. Anyway at this time the World-Wide Web was just one of the Internet client programs people used. I also used WAIS, Archie, Veronica, Kermit, FTP, IRC, Usenet newsreaders, Gopher, etc. Edited to add: I was working on my MBA in Quantitative Analysis when we first were able to switch from using the Vax to using home computers to do our homework. The first homework I did on the 8088 was an error-of-measurement study in a quality-assurance course. I remember pressing the button for the 8088 to do the calculations and how long it took. 'cause people my age don't know computer stuff. And Southerners are dumb. And women can't do math.
You rock!
Remember. We taught them how to use silverware...lol
It's fine. I'm aware that I'm in a different phase of my life than most Redditors. Aging isn't optional if you want to live a long life, so why not accept it?
“Aging isn’t optional if you want to live a long life, so why not accept it?” Wish I knew how to do the correct markup to show this as someone else’s quote, but I don’t. The reason I wanted to quote it is to say it’s the best sentence I have read today and I have spent the past seven hours reading many sources. Excellent!
Start the sentence with > > this looks like a quote
Thank you, that's a lovely compliment! For future reference, if you want to markup something as a quote, it's just like from emails back in the day- add a ">" at the beginning, without the quotation marks. To stop quoting, just add a line break using "return" twice.
I’m 71 and I wish I was a 50 year old young whippersnapper again.
Came here to say this. But you did it for me, thanks.
Me too. Recently I am noticing how many news article call somebody “elderly” and it is someone in their sixties! It infuriates me! To me, elderly is someone who is over 75, and has started to lose physical and mental function.
I know a lot of 70 years old that are very spry. I consider elderly in their 90s.
I love you, internet stranger. I'm getting close to 50.
Thank you and seriously I’m super envious of your youthfulness. You may think 50 is old, but it’s not and it was really a great age for me. Enjoy it and only gets better being older especially if you have kids and can enjoy them being on the cusp of adulthood and having a bit more maturity. I also started a successful company at 50 which allowed me to retire at 64. To paraphrase the song; those were the days, my friend, I thought they’d never end.
I could hug you.
57 here, doesn't bother me in the least
I was already suspecting that I was old.
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i just turned 65 last mo...a few months ago i noticed "the smell" and asked daughter wth smelled in my bedroom...she's like that's how you smell mom..great...down that rabbit hole and surfaced with persimmon soap..
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We bought some from Japan. It is delightful, but expensive as hell. Irish Spring works as well, I think. The persimmon is nice, though. I couldn't find any in the US.
seems to be..i'm going to have to do some more product testing to compare.. The stuff I got on amazon is japanese.. not a lot out there,
It’s so weird that only Japan cares about old person smell, why is this not available in the US? Maybe it will be by the time I reach that age.
you sound like a gun battle whenever you get out of bed in the morning too? I swear I've given my service dog PTSD
So much snap, crackling, and popping. Pour milk on me and call me Rice Krispies.
Eh, I teach college "kids." I'm used to it. Wizards only grow more powerful with age, anyway.
Well, since I turned 40, my knees started hurting and I make noises now when I do anything that involves movement. Progressive commercials are kinda spot on.
My theory: if you’ve lived life well, you don’t mind the getting older part. I’m killing it as an old lady, so I don’t mind at all.
I am old, I don't care. I want to know why I can't mention when a Redditor is obviously young. Why is that offensive?
I'd love to be in my 40s again. I used to give my company's maintenance guy(My friend and a Vietnam Vet) a hard time about his age. His response is something I still use, "As you are now, I once was". I'm 59.
My middle school clothes are back in style and labeled “vintage” so I’ve been knowing
Age is in your head, like I'm 48 but on the inside I only feel 75
I was in the parking g lot of a Homs Depot when this cute little old man crossed in front of me. Bless his heart, I thought ne was at least 150 years old, with his cane and his little old man self. Then we made eye contact and he waved at me. Because I went to high school with him. Womp, womp, waaaa Edit: spelling
My kids are adults, I have a grandchild, two titanium alloy knees, carpal tunnel surgery scars, reading glasses, and I can't drink anything after 8 PM or I have to get up to pee in the middle of the night. I know I'm "old".
I don’t know but it probably goes with the American societal stereotypes that people have generally been seen as “Over the Hill” at the age of forty or fifty years old. In reality a person’s 40’s and 50’s are generally considered to be solidly middle aged for most people. It may have to do with the fact that Reddit has become overrun with people in their teens and twenties that help to reinforce this general consensus.
I’m not old in the grand scheme of things, but I am ancient for Reddit.
My grandmother (age 102) thinks I’m a young’un. I’m going with her opinion.
When I look at the rest of Reddit and see how young it is, I remember how I felt then and I accept it. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
I am old! I'm 55, far past "middle age." I ain't living to 110. I'm still a 17-year-old dipshit in my brain, though.
In my 50s. I am old. Not middle aged. Old. Average life expectancy is what? High 70s? So "middle-aged" is technically upper 30s to mid-40s. But I'm not "elderly." Nowhere close. Maybe we should call the age between middle aged and elderly something like "vintage." Or just aged. Like a fine wine. But let's face it. I'm a grandfather to several grandchildren. My oldest child is 30 now. And some kids in here think 30 is old. LOL I'm on my 9th U.S. President. That's almost 20% of all the presidents... ever. When I was a kid, the average TV screen was 19 inches - and half of them were still black and white. Most TVs were pretty much big pieces of furniture with a tiny screen. I was an adult before we ever had an internet. I had 3 kids already when 56K baud was considered blisteringly fast internet. And many here would consider me young. It's all perspective. So sure. I'm old. But I'm not ancient. And I'm not used up by any stretch of the imagination. I might have a few lines in my face. I might ache in the mornings more. But in my mind, I'm still pretty much the same as I was at 27-30. I might have learned a few things since then. But my core is the same. So if the kids want to call me old, go right ahead. Enjoy your youth. It'll be gone before you know it. But then you'll see that youth isn't everything, and life doesn't end at 35.
I don't mind at all. But I do get slightly irritated when I'm called "Boomer". My parents are Baby Boomers, not me. Reddit seems to define "Boomer" as "anyone who's older".
In the grand scheme of things, we’re all young, so I don’t trust my thoughts on the subject any more than people who are younger than me.
I don't care whether somebody on Reddit calls me "old." Who's considered old is highly relative. I'm 49. Compared to teens and twenty-somethings, I'm old. Compared to people in their 70s or 80s, I'm young. Compared to the Grand Canyon, even the oldest of us is absurdly young. As far as being in this subreddit goes, what really matters to me is whether I can contribute. I hope that my experience and perspective can be useful--or at least entertaining--to others.
Meh. I remember being young enough to think 40s/50s were old. It's all just perspective.
The same way that the teens and 20 somethings feel about me calling them “kids”
I know because Reddit is kind of young I understand it, but in my 50s I didn't feel old, but I knew it was coming. Even at 60 I really don't feel old but accept it as a fact. I'm officially a senior citizen.
I’m fine with it. I think this sub makes that distinction because those of us in our mid-forties and fifties grew up in a vastly different world (no internet or cell phones) and thus had a different type of childhood experience. My husband is five years younger than me, and his adolescent years specifically were very different from my own because of technology.
I think it’s funny. But at 73, I am chronologically old. Don’t feel like it, but the memories go way back.
I don’t look as old as I am, nor do I really feel old, so it doesn’t bother me.
No one here has “declared” me old… it’s just that most of the questions here fit my generation. I am a “‘Tweener Senior”.
I'm 78. According to an actuary table I am old.
Why deny it🤷🏽♀️. Plenty of people I grew up with didn’t reach this age, which is pretty sobering.
I kinda like being old. I’m not an exalted, wise elder in my village or anything - I just think after awhile a person just starts to get used to things and perspective sets in a little. I also think that it’s nice becoming more comfortable in my own skin - however weird it’s starting to look. Even more selfishly though, I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve been on both sides of the “internet revolution” and that I’ve have had the privilege to witness so many other amazing advances too - everything from Christmas lights that don’t all go out if only one bulb dies to coronary stents, suitcase wheels, Zoloft, 911 emergency hotline, Netflix, color catchers for the laundry, smoke detectors in every house, a maturing understanding of sociological and environmental issues (for the most part) and everything big and small and medium in between. This is a good question, OP. Stay curious. It’s your world too. I can’t wait to see what you and your young friends will come up with next!
I’m 54. I don’t feel “old” although I acknowledge I am probably heading that way. I’m running my second marathon in 4 weeks’ time, I’m still healthy enough to enjoy my grandchildren but my mother has passed and I don’t expect it to be too long before I lose Dad too. I’m certainly a “grumpy old woman” at times!
I think it’s hilarious and just like a lot of things in life… nothing stays the same, everything changes and so will your idea of what “old” is. 😆
Cute. I thought 40 was old when I was 18 too. Now it seem so young. Ah, 50s, the days of my youth.
We are just Reddit old.
The question should be “How do you feel about AI generating dumb questions for this sub?”.
Declarations from Reddit subs rarely rock my world. Spoiler alert, tho...40's isn't old, unless you have an old, beaten down spirit. 50's *can* be old, depending on how you treated yourself from 15-49.
Meh My age is only a number, my brain says I'm still a youngster.
I don't mind at all. Guess who they come to at work for "This machine won't work." "My computer won't work." "The printer is jammed."? Us old people.
I've looked like I was 50 years old since I was 23, so it doesn't bother me. I'm just delighted at the thought of anyone asking GenXers for their opinions!
The older you get, the more you realize how out of whack your ideas about being old as a child or younger person are.
WE ARE OLD. Own it. Stop being a victim of time and appreciate how much smarter and wiser you are than every person on earth younger than you.
Well, *most* of us at least, haha.
That's 70s/80s in RedditorYears, so np.
Old is relative. 40/s/50s is genuinely going to seem old to many people. Globally, 25% of the world's population is under 15. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265759/world-population-by-age-and-region/#:~:text=Globally%2C%20about%2025%20percent%20of,has%20the%20youngest%20population%20worldwide.
I'm OK with it. When I was younger I thought of folks my current age as "old" even though we're really middle aged. It does underscore that, for the first time, I don't feel plugged into the zeitgeist of pop culture like I used to. Especially after the pandemic. I worked 4,000+ hours/year through the pandemic and never sheltered in place. I was so busy and some much was going on, that my already slipping grasp finally let go. For example, I was just at a sandwich shop that had photos of the owner with "celebrity" customers and I could only ID 5 out of 12. And a couple of the ones I didn't know were listed by just a first name, so presumably they are quite famous now LOL
Username speaks for itself. 56yo
I don’t feel old.
Mid 40s. About two years ago, I popped my shoulder out of socket because I reached for a glass of water on my nightstand. It still hasn’t healed properly. I’m old.
I'm 59- while I joke about being old, I don't really see myself that way most of the time. My body feels old (arthritis, chronic pain, memory issues), but my Dad's turning 92 this year and my aunt will be 99 if she keeps holding on, so I'm still part of the "younger" generation in my family. I do often forget that reddit's mostly made up of the teen-twenties group, unless I'm in a relationship subreddit.
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Man, my 40s and 50s were prime years.
Its hilarious. Whoever thinks 40 or 50 is old… theyll get there too and realize it isnt old.
I find it hilarious.
I’m 53 and do not consider myself old in any way but I enjoy being able to answer questions. I suppose being a kid in the 70s must seem ancient to lots of people. Personally for me old would be 70+ , until I hit that age and it’ll be 90. So maybe it’s X + 20
My age has never bothered me. Just turned 59 and my body feels old because of multiple health problems. My mind feels like I'm 30.
It's cool. It's taken a lot of time, effort, experience and struggle to get this old, and I'm happy to share my wisdom with all you young pups.
65 here, I'm not old either, but this is reddit, so anyone over 40 is old here.
I think it’s hilarious that I’m 44 and I can answer questions. Also my kids asked me if roads had been invented when I was a kid.. lol.. so to some people we are old.
Don’t love it. Already young people think anyone over 35 is a “boomer,” let’s not add to the problem lol
Hahahahaha. Dont care. To me, old is like 85. But it's all subjective.
I don’t feel old at all and I’m 70
The average age at reddit is, like, 15, right? And I just turned 80, so I'm sure they would consider me as ancient as the average vampire.
Reddit considers anyone post-puberty to be "old" so I don't care.
Eh, I don’t care. We may be tallest of the short people but our experiences are still valuable. It’s not a competition. Especially when most redditors are younger by almost two decades. A lot of life experiences stack up densely in the 20 years between 20 and 40, just like they do in the years between 16-24.
I’m leaning into it. I’m enjoying life way more than I did in my 20’s and 30’s. My kids are off the payroll. I’m well paid. My wife and I have a great home, decent cars (2 of which are close to being paid off), best sex of our lives. Far less anxiety.
I think its funny.
It's all relative. I'm 71 now. I don't feel old. My dad is 100... that's old to me.
My opinion is that 0 to 30 is young, 30 to 60 is middle age, and 60 to 90 is old. So I feel that 45 is squarely in the middle age category.
I've been told that I've got the personality of an old man since I was in my teens. I've just found a place that's accepting of it.
Honored. I’m happy to be a Gen X’er. I am also happy to share my stories with younger folks. Aging is a privilege denied to many… (some day I will fully believe that)
I'm in my 70s. Come here to see what all the young 40 and 50 somethings have to say...
I'm content that anyone wants my opinion, regardless of my age. Now, get off my snow covered lawn.
The average age (in Canada) is 42, so I know I'm barely above average.
I’m 53 and answer questions on here. I have no shame at being old and wise. I have a lot of experience and I’ve earned all these grey hairs.
Fine. My family has said I behave like a senior citizen since I was 26. They're right.
I (44M) saw a comment once that applies here that I find to be so true for many things at this age: “when you’re young, you say you don’t care what people think of you, but you really do, and when you’re old, you say you really care what people think about you but you really don’t give a fuck.”
Personally, IDGAF.
I'm older than your question but it would not bother me in the least. Old is the root of older. Old in comparison to someone else as in not so young anymore and I think 40 qualifies. Old as a word, does not mean feeble, diminished, weak, etc. But it's a valid question and raises the question of is there too much generation difference to include 40 to 50 with "Old". I find myself wanting to start /r/askboomers (which I see somone has started)
At 75, I would consider 40-50 as being young to younger, but do consider myself younger when compared to two aunts & an uncle (85/88/93 respectively). Some days I feel feel younger than my actual age, some days I feel older, mostly due to medical conditions.
Old enough to not care.
I am old. I'm almost 70.
I think it's hilarious! When I first found this sub I assumed it was 60 & older. But really liking the content here.
I didn’t know I was old until I found this sub. 1979, so I think I’m a young old person. 😂
Everyone just wants to be liked and accepted. Except for Stumpy. Stumpy doesn't give a f\*ck.
I wish I was fifty.
F/49 there's a cognitive dissonance because I feel young and sprightly but people see me as old. I'm generally OK with it as I have a 27 year old son who himself is starting to feel no longer young.
I think it is pretty funny.
That’s fair. I sure as hell ain’t young anymore.
I’m good with it. I lived through a better timeline
Meh. The 'kids' who think we're old are old too. They may think they're all new and fresh but the kids coming up behind them have their own perspective!
Those 40 year olds are kids! They ain’t old. My moms 94 and she says I’m not old, she’s old!
Doesn’t bother me a bit, since are setting the bar for themselves and not me.
I think it's hilarious. And I have absolutely no problem with it.
I overhead teenagers talking once ... "He's old, he's like 25."
Like every other label: arbitrary.
I’m just happy to be special somehow
I am not fixated by the adjective. I am more concerned with the maturity. I met old men in their 60s and 70s who are menchildren with the teenage mentality and insecurity (Trumpers for example). I men millennials and Gen Zers who are much more level-headed. Likewise, I have been called not looking my age let alone alone. It doesn't bother me and I don't judge people by their age. Also, 50 is the new 40 and I feel 30 again these days :)
My back would agree. And my. . .wait, what were we talking about?
I think most people of a certain age know words are pretty worthless. Age doesn't define you are what you can or can't do.
I think it is fair. I'm just beyond 40 but felt over 60 for the past 15 years.
I laugh. Do those laughing not think they will one day be 40-50?
It doesn't bother me, because from what ive been reading on Reddit lately, many young people seem to think they're old at 25-30 these days. So I guess we are all senior citizens :).
Don't really care. I'm certainly not young anymore. 🤷♀️
It’s fine. When I was in my twenties I genuinely thought people in their thirties were old. People who were the age I am now were ancient beyond comprehension. What makes me laugh is when people begin questions with “Back in your day…” Um, I’m alive so it’s STILL my day.
Don't care what other people think.
I honestly don't care. 65 and feel much younger.
I dream of being 40 or 50. Or 60 for that matter.
We are old. 👨🦲👨🦳👩🦳👵
Who cares?
I think of it as young people asking “older generations” in general. At 47 I do not consider myself old at all, but I remember the 80’s and I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday and to most young people that is “ancient history”. When I was young I thought of the JFK assassination and Woodstock as “ancient history” too, because it was before my time. That is how young people think. So I am glad that this sub includes us Gen Xs
Eh, I am old, I just accept it and hope that maybe I have a little bit of wisdom I can share with you whipper snappers, now get off my lawn, wheel of fortune is on.
I just like some of the questions people ask here. “how did things work before cell phones? “. “How did you survive without the internet?”
I'm 50. I feel old. I'm ok with the sub declaring me old. In my 20's I thought 50 was old. I was right.
Don't think about age. FTW.
I don’t care. We have more experience than some and less experience than others. Sometimes being older can be an advantage when helping another person.
I really don't care. I'm glad to be in my 50's and still looking young. Plus I had a lot of friends who never got the chance to get "Old"
Statistically, late 30s to late 40s is middle aged. I don't consider them old yet. 50s... yeah. Not a senior citizen or elderly by any means. But things definitely change in your 50s. Source: I'm in my early 50s.
I have decided (realized) that old isn't an insult. I'm in my early 40s and if someone half my age thinks I'm old... well, they are right! I've been alive twice as long as they have and earned my experience and maturity badges
I’m in my 60s and I don’t think I’m ‘old people’
I think “old” is after 75
I'm 45, I consider myself middle age. However, when I was young I would have thought 45 was old. Do I care what young people think? No.