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applegrove

(123,111 posts)
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 05:57 PM Nov 6

How did you know you were officially old? Me, i hate

winter and walking outside on the sidewalks. I'm terrified of falling. I'm not yet 60 but not that sturdy. Started a few years ago and there is no snow in Ottawa yet but am dreading it.

81 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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How did you know you were officially old? Me, i hate (Original Post) applegrove Nov 6 OP
I turned 77 Monday SleeplessinSoCal Nov 6 #1
Belated Happy Birthday to you. Sorry about that sucky gift the country niyad Nov 10 #55
I'll always treasure the gift I got 11/4/08 SleeplessinSoCal Nov 10 #68
When I walked around all day with my fly open.... Brother Buzz Nov 6 #2
LOL Ever-Green Nov 8 #26
I'd be lost without my wife. multigraincracker Nov 10 #53
Old enid602 Nov 6 #3
LMAO LuckyCharms Nov 6 #4
Oh, I mastered that long ago. WestMichRad Nov 6 #10
Lol Faux pas Nov 10 #61
When you duncang Nov 6 #5
Ha, that's me! I have to sort of unroll when I get up in the morning. Ocelot II Nov 9 #47
When songs like Paradise City and Wild Side are played on the "oldies" station Niagara Nov 6 #6
Oh I hate QR codes. I've never made them work. applegrove Nov 6 #7
... Niagara Nov 6 #8
lol yes! The Wandering Harper Nov 8 #20
😁 Niagara Nov 8 #21
The only way I can order food is at the drive through. multigraincracker Nov 10 #54
You know you're getting old when the rebellious songs of your youth are being played on the elevator... on the pan flute keithbvadu2 Nov 8 #37
Or Zeppelin Figarosmom Nov 9 #39
How about the first time you're called ma'am at the grocery store instead of miss? Tadpole Raisin Nov 10 #52
I live in the South. Ma'am is deeply ingrained, especially if speaking to someone more than yellowdogintexas Nov 11 #69
Lol Faux pas Nov 10 #62
When my wife's son's girlfriend said I reminded of her grandpa before he went crazy. Harker Nov 6 #9
Oh scoff those young'uns can be so rude! Ysabel Nov 8 #16
This was a couple of days after we met. Harker Nov 8 #23
Lol Faux pas Nov 10 #63
I laughed, too. Harker Nov 10 #66
That's great Faux pas Nov 10 #67
When young women started holding doors for me. (I'm a man.) nt hvn_nbr_2 Nov 6 #11
ah ha ha ha (cackle) I love it... Ysabel Nov 8 #17
Dropped an actual paper ass dollar on the ground and thought, "Well that's a shame," and continued on my way. Iggo Nov 8 #12
haha! Ysabel Nov 8 #18
I'd be on my knees dweller Nov 8 #30
... Faux pas Nov 10 #64
I turned 82 last January and have come to terms with my status Hangingon Nov 8 #13
When I referred to someone as a 'fine young man' once, unironically. Aristus Nov 8 #14
I'm not sure that I'm old yet... Ysabel Nov 8 #15
Ottawa is a beautiful city. The weather is pretty good except the winters, applegrove Nov 8 #22
Ah! Thanks... Ysabel Nov 8 #24
Quebec is lovely too. Great, great food in Montreal and Quebec City. applegrove Nov 8 #25
Ottawa is wonderful MerrilyMerrily Nov 9 #42
I lived in Montreal. Once in 1991 or so. Once in 2004-2006. applegrove Nov 9 #46
I have no fackin clue what anyone under 30 is talking about anymore lol The Wandering Harper Nov 8 #19
That's so true for me, as well Diamond_Dog Nov 8 #31
When my knees started to hurt all the time. Basso8vb Nov 8 #27
F'ing AARP Mailers. It's like a punch in the gut. Bristlecone Nov 8 #28
When other women started smiling at me instead of giving me the side-eye. AloeVera Nov 8 #29
Yesterday CanonRay Nov 8 #32
When the words "like" (used as a filler) and "bro" (which is not a word) make you want to throw something. LoisB Nov 8 #33
I don't know what a Post Malone Or a Chappell Roan is sky_masterson Nov 8 #34
I was in the hospital, in the ICU, for a week in 2020 (no, not covid). rsdsharp Nov 8 #35
Awwwww! applegrove Nov 8 #36
Old is a state of mind... oldsoldierfadingfast Nov 9 #38
When im walking around the house and my knees hurt and my back hurts so im walking kinda Figarosmom Nov 9 #40
When cops started looking like ten year olds in uniform. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Nov 9 #41
I once worked in a hotel gift shop when I was in applegrove Nov 9 #45
When your mind says "Yeah, I can do that" and your body says "you must be joking". Ferrets are Cool Nov 9 #43
OMG that happened to me! mnhtnbb Nov 10 #50
You need Ice Bug studded shoes! justaprogressive Nov 9 #44
I have a pair of those, they are literally life-savers in this climate. Ocelot II Nov 9 #48
It was a few years back when I walked into our Barnes & Noble Xavier Breath Nov 9 #49
First case of shingles this week. I got the hint. Ilikepurple Nov 10 #51
My a/c set at 78 and arthritis issues. The rusty years have arrived TommieMommy Nov 10 #56
Depends. multigraincracker Nov 10 #57
Oh yah, I forgot. multigraincracker Nov 10 #58
Winter icy walking Mime Nov 10 #59
Not being able to Faux pas Nov 10 #60
I knew I was old when somebody told me I didn't need chisel and hammer to use a tablet. Doodley Nov 10 #65
When you were a kid, was the Dead Sea just sick? LudwigPastorius Nov 12 #81
when all my medical professionals were younger than I am. nt yellowdogintexas Nov 11 #70
I once went to a new dentist. The hygenist came in and started asking me questions. Turned out she was my applegrove Nov 11 #73
officially old ? When I turned 60 steve2470 Nov 11 #71
The first time a sales clerk called me "Ma'am." catbyte Nov 11 #72
KitFox KitFox Nov 11 #74
I knew I was old when frogmarch Nov 11 #75
Sweetie was a nickname i got a lot in Kingston, Ontario. applegrove Nov 11 #77
Sorry to hear you are struggling with outside walks. BootinUp Nov 11 #76
Getting in and out of a car. The end. dchill Nov 11 #78
Recently turned 75. Now have to hold on to the banister and Golden Raisin Nov 11 #79
For me, it was my first colonoscopy. LudwigPastorius Nov 12 #80

SleeplessinSoCal

(9,668 posts)
1. I turned 77 Monday
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 06:03 PM
Nov 6

I feel ancient. I went out to do a nice fast paced walk because I turned 77. It went well enough. But today I feel the aches and pains of the experience

My advice - wear good walking shoes when you're out and about. And maybe bring a stylish cane for security.

Brother Buzz

(37,795 posts)
2. When I walked around all day with my fly open....
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 06:06 PM
Nov 6

and nobody said anything. It’s kinda cool to be invisible.

duncang

(3,591 posts)
5. When you
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 06:19 PM
Nov 6

Get up in stages. Hand on table or something else. Straighten up legs. Slowly straighten up back. Start walking slowly until you loosen up.

Niagara

(9,565 posts)
6. When songs like Paradise City and Wild Side are played on the "oldies" station
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 07:09 PM
Nov 6

I also know what the terms film roll, 1 hour photo, negatives and flash cubes are.



Also, I refuse to scan the QR code for any reason.

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
7. Oh I hate QR codes. I've never made them work.
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 07:14 PM
Nov 6

Went to a restaurant onetime and they didn't have menus. Just a QR code.

keithbvadu2

(40,083 posts)
37. You know you're getting old when the rebellious songs of your youth are being played on the elevator... on the pan flute
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:43 PM
Nov 8

Tadpole Raisin

(1,499 posts)
52. How about the first time you're called ma'am at the grocery store instead of miss?
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:41 AM
Nov 10

Damn bag boy got the evil eye.

It’s always bothered me that the formalities for women defined age and marital status:
Miss, Ms, Mrs, ma’am

Whereas men: Mr.

Sigh…

yellowdogintexas

(22,701 posts)
69. I live in the South. Ma'am is deeply ingrained, especially if speaking to someone more than
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 02:02 AM
Nov 11

20 years your senior.

Harker

(14,925 posts)
9. When my wife's son's girlfriend said I reminded of her grandpa before he went crazy.
Wed Nov 6, 2024, 08:16 PM
Nov 6

At least it was before.

Ysabel

(2,080 posts)
16. Oh scoff those young'uns can be so rude!
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 04:26 PM
Nov 8

where is my old (no no, it's new brand new and shiney) battle-axe !?!

Iggo

(48,262 posts)
12. Dropped an actual paper ass dollar on the ground and thought, "Well that's a shame," and continued on my way.
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 10:50 AM
Nov 8

I had been “getting old” for a while.

But when that happened, I knew I’d arrived.

dweller

(25,035 posts)
30. I'd be on my knees
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:07 PM
Nov 8

to scoff it up , crawl to a car if needed to stand again

Luckily I don’t carry cash any longer

✌🏻

Hangingon

(3,075 posts)
13. I turned 82 last January and have come to terms with my status
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 12:52 PM
Nov 8

Mastering new stuff like QR codes and internet security is just something you have to do to live. I think the big crash will come in a few years when I cannot drive.

Aristus

(68,327 posts)
14. When I referred to someone as a 'fine young man' once, unironically.
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 02:55 PM
Nov 8

It was such a grandfatherly thing to say.

Ysabel

(2,080 posts)
15. I'm not sure that I'm old yet...
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 04:21 PM
Nov 8

A lot of the time I feel like I'm still five years old and the world is still so full of wonder and I'm so curious to learn about it all - just barely starting to...

But other times I worry about dying -- no no -- too soon too soon!

Btw, do you like living in Ottawa?

Does it get very humid there? How cold does it get? Are there any mountains there that block the arctic winds coming from the west? Are the schools good? Is there a good university there and if so how does it affect the city overall? Are there lots of trees there? Is there a large body of water nearby? Is it fairly liberal? What's the cost of living like? Are people there friendly?

Okay, enough questions already!

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
22. Ottawa is a beautiful city. The weather is pretty good except the winters,
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 05:11 PM
Nov 8

Last edited Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

that are milder because of global climate change but still slippery, and the summers that can now be stinky hot because of global climate change. It is so upsetting and it is not us in central Canada who are going to suffer the worst consequences it is the poor parts of the world that will. Ottawa is in a valley. Ottawa borders on Quebec so 1/3 of the metropolitan area speaks french. Lots of federal money to beautify the city with parklands, tulip festivals, bike paths and all manner of outdoor activities in winter and summer. Great cottage country surrounds the city. Lakes everywhere. Ottawa is on a big river. Rolling hills just outside the city that are spectacular in the fall. Pretty liberal. Pretty educated. Nice mix of cultures. Good schools. Good universities. People are pretty nice except for a cult that targeted me. So I lay low. There are criminals in even the most decent of places, I guess. Mostly good eggs here. The other bad thing is that the Conservatives may win the next election and will try and social engineer us away from liberalism because they are ***holes. Great restaurants. We have 6 weeks of stinky hot weather and 20 days of minus 20 F. Great place to raise a family.

Ysabel

(2,080 posts)
24. Ah! Thanks...
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 06:57 PM
Nov 8

That seems pretty good (I hope the conservatives don't flip the politics / policies). I didn't know it was so close to Quebec. I've been wanting to visit Quebec some day (for our honeymoon which we haven't ever gotten around to maybe it'll have to be for our 35th anniversary). Then maybe we can check out Ottawa too...

Oh yeah and I'm 65 going on 66 real soon and we will have our 35th anniversary in 2026 (maybe we won't be able to go travelling until five or six years from now when my husband retires)...

MerrilyMerrily

(188 posts)
42. Ottawa is wonderful
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 08:27 AM
Nov 9

Montreal too, except for that little quirk drivers have of forming three lanes out of two during rush hour. Oh, and laying on the horn to let drivers with a green light know they have to slam on the brakes to let the horn-blower through on red!

I lived in Ottawa for two years (for school) and in Montreal for nine years (for work). Montreal is beautiful, but I was a lot more comfortable and peaceful walking along the Rideau canal, marveling at the tulips, and pretty much walking anywhere in four square miles without feeling the need to be on alert for bad actors. I grew up in Minnesota and I enjoyed the milder winters in both places.

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
46. I lived in Montreal. Once in 1991 or so. Once in 2004-2006.
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 02:32 PM
Nov 9

Last edited Sat Nov 9, 2024, 03:28 PM - Edit history (1)

The city got much more diverse in that time. I enjoyed riding the subway to see all the diversity and young lovers' physical demonstration of affection. Great city Montreal.

Basso8vb

(281 posts)
27. When my knees started to hurt all the time.
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 07:51 PM
Nov 8

All those years marching and carrying a tuba on my shoulder did my body no favors!

Bristlecone

(10,486 posts)
28. F'ing AARP Mailers. It's like a punch in the gut.
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 07:56 PM
Nov 8

They send me more birthday mail than my relatives. And right on time, every time!

🙃

LoisB

(8,639 posts)
33. When the words "like" (used as a filler) and "bro" (which is not a word) make you want to throw something.
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:18 PM
Nov 8

sky_masterson

(566 posts)
34. I don't know what a Post Malone Or a Chappell Roan is
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:27 PM
Nov 8

I remember way back in the early 2000's when Republicans hated Russia and Putin. Its ferTrue!!

rsdsharp

(10,115 posts)
35. I was in the hospital, in the ICU, for a week in 2020 (no, not covid).
Fri Nov 8, 2024, 08:40 PM
Nov 8

After about 3 days, one of the nurses asked me how long my wife and I had been married. When I said, “40 years,” her response was “Awwwww.”

I hadn’t seemed that long until right then. It will be 45 years in 9 more days.

38. Old is a state of mind...
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 12:38 AM
Nov 9

My body is an 84.5 yo, always aching in one spot or another, 79# walking pathology book. However, inside my head, I am still only 21, fairly tall and somewhat pudgy. Since I have always been an absent-minded day-dreamer, nobody notices how forgetful I have become. (And, I admit that I learned to walk by mirrors without looking at myself a good while back.)

Figarosmom

(2,612 posts)
40. When im walking around the house and my knees hurt and my back hurts so im walking kinda
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 03:02 AM
Nov 9

Bent over and slowly.But when im out in public I walk without hurting and stoop down to get things on lower shelves and my knees don't give out. Makes me wonder about the power of our minds.

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
45. I once worked in a hotel gift shop when I was in
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 02:21 PM
Nov 9

my late thirties. The hockey player would come in from the pre NHL teams and I thought they were babies - too young to be all roughed up and playing in such a tough sport. Then the fighter pilots would come in and I had the same reaction. They were too young. I realized then I was getting on in age.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
43. When your mind says "Yeah, I can do that" and your body says "you must be joking".
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 09:27 AM
Nov 9

My reflexes let me down all the time. It was the first thing that let me know that I was getting old.

mnhtnbb

(32,059 posts)
50. OMG that happened to me!
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:08 AM
Nov 10

I was on a Mediterranean cruise in 2019. Signed up for a kayaking excursion on Ibiza. Went to get in the kayak from the dock and my knees/hips would not let me do it! I was mortified, to say the least. Despite having two joint replacements --one hip and one knee--I hadn't experienced that sort of limitation and I was always very flexible and athletic all my life. I didn't kayak regularly, but I wasn't a novice. Just hadn't been in one for quite some time.
Boy, did I feel like an old lady.
Later that year I would have the second hip replaced.

Xavier Breath

(5,003 posts)
49. It was a few years back when I walked into our Barnes & Noble
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 04:49 PM
Nov 9

which should have been my first clue , and asked if they had any books about shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Standing there, waiting for the 19-year-old clerk to look it up and repeating my question to myself, I suddenly felt quite old.

And, they did have a few

multigraincracker

(34,068 posts)
57. Depends.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 06:22 AM
Nov 10

Not there get, but won’t be long.
I’m
Lucky, 75 and no real pain. I jog or at least walk for at least an hour 5 or 6 days a week. Average about 5K steps a day. I always get up and move at least every half hour I’m addicted to reading labels on everything I eat. All that seems to be working for me. Don’t feel a day over 65. 😀

Mime

(29 posts)
59. Winter icy walking
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 07:14 AM
Nov 10

NEOS overshoes are great for winter. You can use with your regular walking or running shoes.
No problem if you wear orthotics or afo braces etc. poles or canes are helpful too with winter navigation.

Faux pas

(15,363 posts)
60. Not being able to
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 07:18 AM
Nov 10

take care of myself. Getting a preview of that right now in a "skilled nursing facility" for hip replacement rehab. We ain't got fun.

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
73. I once went to a new dentist. The hygenist came in and started asking me questions. Turned out she was my
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 10:34 AM
Nov 11

dentist and I was an ageist, sexist fool.

steve2470

(37,468 posts)
71. officially old ? When I turned 60
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 07:31 AM
Nov 11

From what I can tell from the literature, one is regarded as "young old" in the USA at age 60.

Physically old ? A few years ago when I tried to keep up with my young son

Mentally old ? Oh, it's very slowly creeping on me LOL

KitFox

(23 posts)
74. KitFox
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:05 PM
Nov 11

Lots of laughs and oh so relatable in these posts!! A first “You are officially old when”for me was when the children in my class used the gray crayon or marker to color my hair when drawing a picture of me. Most recently, when going through airport security, the agent looked at my ID and told me I no longer had to remove my shoes and sent me to a line that didn’t need to go through the full body scanner.

frogmarch

(12,225 posts)
75. I knew I was old when
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:13 PM
Nov 11

some people, mainly wait staff in restaurants and store clerks started calling me "dear" or "sweetie."

I hate being called that.

applegrove

(123,111 posts)
77. Sweetie was a nickname i got a lot in Kingston, Ontario.
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:37 PM
Nov 11

I loved being called that. I never thought it was a nickname because I was getting older. I will have to reasses. My hair was partially Grey at the time.

BootinUp

(49,020 posts)
76. Sorry to hear you are struggling with outside walks.
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:21 PM
Nov 11

I am a few years older, still have a full time job and am trying to do more excercise. I have recently started 35 to 40 minute walks at my lunch hour, have radically changed my eating habits, and after 2 months I have sore feet. I am sure there are benefits but all I can think about is the sore feet. Apparently it is the swelling that is doing the damage. I try to use aspirin to deal with swelling and am also trying some CBD pain relief cream on my feet. When I get out there and start walking I probably get too aggressive. Sigh.

Golden Raisin

(4,674 posts)
79. Recently turned 75. Now have to hold on to the banister and
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:39 PM
Nov 11

maneuver very slowly/gingerly up and down the NYC subway steps I used to RUN up and down. At least I can still ride the subway. Ice underfoot in Winter now sort of the same dicey deal as the subway. Have MANY more coot-related physical/mental glitches, large and small, but as they say, "It beats the alternative!"

LudwigPastorius

(10,782 posts)
80. For me, it was my first colonoscopy.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:20 AM
Nov 12

...followed by no longer being able to put on underwear while standing up.

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