Thu, 14 Sep 2006

What are you? : Age

Since my birthday just passed, I thought it appropriate to explore the aspect of age in the answer to the question. I am 57 now, but I have never given much thought to age. Oh, I think about it when those aches and pains occur in places where I never ached before for no apparent reason. Or something will happen which reminds me of my age. But, in general, I never think about it.

That isn't the case with the general media view of age, however. At least here in the USA, youth is celebrated and age is, well, ignored. It is good to be young, or at least use products and technhiques which give you the appearance of being young. In fact, youth -- or the appearance of youth -- is a multi-billion dollar industry. As you view television, movies, etc. you would think that the USA didn't consist of anyone over 30 and that anyone who was over 30 was just a "bit player" in life.

So how do we identify with youth? I think that most of us tend to perceive ourselves as younger than we are. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Unless, of course, we try to do something for which our somewhat older bodies just aren't prepared and hurt ourselves! Thinking young can help you keep those faculties which tend to do to pot as we get older. Dilusion about our age can resuit, however, in some pretty silly things. Take the older lady who wants to dress like her teenage daughter without the benefit of a teenage body. Or the older gentleman who sees himself as the dashing young playboy that he was in his youth.

Sometimes misperceptions of our age and abilities can be downright dangerous. Take the older driver, for example, over extending their reflexes and resulting in an accident. But generally, perceptions of youth are harmless -- except, perhaps, to the sensibilities of others.

So what about the answer? Does age enter into the equation? I tend to think of myself as a old fat guy when I stop to think about it. When I can receive that senior discount, I sometimes realize that I'm not a young buck any more. So, I guess if you found me in one of those situations, age might enter into my description. It would usually be expressed as a modifier to my thinking rather than a major element of the description. Thus I might be an old programmer, or an old papa, but really not an old timer.

I had an aunt, who, in her late 80's used to refer to the old people. She definitely didn't think much of age when she spoke about herself, but did think of herself, at least peripherally, in terms of age when she spoke of others. You will sometimes hear that type of reference when the older individual speaks of the "kids" meaning someone in their 20's or my kids speaking of someone as old when refering to someone barely into their 30's. Perhaps age is a relative thing with many people.

posted 06:21 [/WhatAreYou] permanent link