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Elderly parents

Older folks and their endearing ways . Not.

205 replies

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 17:41

Going on from a previous OP that said her ILs drive her insane with their narrow food choices, constant tea drinking and couch sitting .. what little harmless ways drive you mad ?
My father when I was younger and visiting with small DCs would come into the bedroom when he figured we had slept enough to squeegee and dry the windows of any condensation. Happened a lot as we often visited at Xmas time . Just because it was his habit every morning . Also wanted a dinner at 1pm despite us only getting around to brunch at 12. Would turn news on in middle of people talking . Hated anyone sitting in his chair .

But he redeemed himself as he was also a loving generous man and he and my mother would go shopping for nappies, wipes , food for our visits and pick up the tab for meals out .

OP posts:
60andcounting · 13/04/2026 22:40

legalseagull · 13/04/2026 17:50

Imagine if this post were discriminatory against any other group - “disabled people and their endearing ways. Not”

I've heard it all now!!!

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:37

@Foxyloxy89 - this friend is "recently retired", so can't be all that old? It sounds like a personality quirk rather than a mark of ageing. I've known someone like that - only in their 40s, just a bit oblivious to other people, really.

Foxyloxy89 · 13/04/2026 22:29

A work colleague who has recently retired would talk in great detail about people she knew as if you also know them well...
'I got a Christmas Card from Sue and George and you'll never guess where they've been on holiday? South Africa! With Jenny and Dave! Well, you know what Dave's like when he's had a few beers...' and on and on for 30 minutes plus. I don't know who the hell these people are and it is just so weird. She would talk about all kinds of people she knew, their pets, personality quirks etc without ever explain g who they were. I would politely nod and smile in the right places but I often wonder if there was anyone else like this...
by the way, I absolutely love this person who is a dear friend but this part of them baffles me...

Additup · 13/04/2026 22:21

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 20:36

Eating in the middle of the day used to be the norm didn't it ? Maybe early starts and more physical jobs . My gastro guy said it was much better as you have the whole afternoon and evening to digest . Eating late after 7 apparently plays havoc with your sleeping gut .

This is true. Your body deals with carbs twice as fast at 12 midday than it does at 12 midnight. Eating your main meal at lunchtime is much better for your digestive system and waistline.

Sunshineandoranges · 13/04/2026 22:19

daisychain01 · 13/04/2026 18:41

How about you stop being nasty about any group of people, dehumanising them with lazy generalisations as if they are a single homogeneous blob. Hint, they aren't. And encouraging people on here to validate your nastiness.

I agree.

Sunshineandoranges · 13/04/2026 22:19

daisychain01 · 13/04/2026 18:41

How about you stop being nasty about any group of people, dehumanising them with lazy generalisations as if they are a single homogeneous blob. Hint, they aren't. And encouraging people on here to validate your nastiness.

I agree.

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:19

AllTheChaos · 13/04/2026 22:17

Some did, but not all, @ilovepixie. I remember my grandparents and their friends would often have an orphaned animal that the were hand rearing using it to stay warm, especially popular with lambs!

🥰

shellyleppard · 13/04/2026 22:19

My elderly dad (81) will not pay for any new furniture/central heating system/care package but moan he's cold/uncomfortable/struggling with the housework/looking after himself. His reason..... doesn't like spending the money. Central heating system was installed in 1982......😔

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:19

Screamingabdabz · 13/04/2026 22:18

Thats nothing to do with age though… Only psychopaths serve dinner on cold plates.

Quite. It's an abomination, surely!

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:18

Hodofls · 13/04/2026 21:00

Taking a full car boot along with you is even more extreme than the big kettle lady.

😂

Screamingabdabz · 13/04/2026 22:18

Figcherry · 13/04/2026 18:47

I'm late 60's.
My family all know to warm my dinner plate.
When I've gone I'm pretty sure it will be brought up as a memory. 😆

Thats nothing to do with age though… Only psychopaths serve dinner on cold plates.

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:18

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 21:12

When I said laundry bag , I mean a pop up one in my suitcase . To recreate the ambience of a washing pile . No bin bags there.

I've never seen a pop up one! Sounds brilliant!

AllTheChaos · 13/04/2026 22:17

Some did, but not all, @ilovepixie. I remember my grandparents and their friends would often have an orphaned animal that the were hand rearing using it to stay warm, especially popular with lambs!

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:17

Bluddyellfire · 13/04/2026 21:27

I just reuse the bags I packed it all in when I've worn the clothes. No need to take an additional, dedicated Dirty Washing Bag 🤷🏻‍♀️

Edited

Well. That's my preference, keeping dirty items separate. Each to their own.

shellyleppard · 13/04/2026 22:16

@sunflowersintheday nope I'm 57 and always take a spare carrier bag for the dirty washing when I go on holiday. Same as I always take my own carrier bags instead of buying more.....

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 22:16

ilovepixie · 13/04/2026 22:15

Didn’t ovens used to have a plate warming drawer back in the day?

Yes, they always had a specific drawer for that purpose. I remember using it!

ilovepixie · 13/04/2026 22:15

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 18:47

My parents always warmed the plates. This was because they grew up in homes which were cold. Therefore plates were cold, and so it chilled the food.
It's actually really practical.

Didn’t ovens used to have a plate warming drawer back in the day?

Noshadelamp · 13/04/2026 22:11

Meadowfinch · 13/04/2026 18:01

Affectionately remembered.... My mum's refusal to accept that a plate of food without meat, fish, eggs or cheese could constitute a meal.
One summer evening, I carefully made a beautiful pasta sauce of home grown tomatoes, ev olive oil, garlic, and basil, over wholemeal spaghetti. It was simmered gently, loaded with fresh flavours, rich and summery.

She poked it suspiciously, turned the spaghetti over and peered underneath, and then said 'what are you serving for main course?' 😁

Was she Italian? Isn't that how they consider pasta, as it's own dish, followed by a meat dish?
Sound delicious btw

AllTheChaos · 13/04/2026 22:06

PottingBench · 13/04/2026 18:26

How old is 'older'?

20 years older than me. Always!

Bluddyellfire · 13/04/2026 21:27

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 19:14

... again with the laundry bags, I've been taking a bag for dirty laundry on holiday for years.
I think it's a good idea, and assumed everyone did it.
Is it really a quirk only seen in the elderly?

I just reuse the bags I packed it all in when I've worn the clothes. No need to take an additional, dedicated Dirty Washing Bag 🤷🏻‍♀️

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 21:12

When I said laundry bag , I mean a pop up one in my suitcase . To recreate the ambience of a washing pile . No bin bags there.

OP posts:
FoxRedPuppy · 13/04/2026 21:09

My mum takes china cups and a teapot on holiday wherever she goes. She’s left a few cups at mine as none of mine are right 😂.

Also with the plate warming. I’ve never bothered but always do hers. She does them in the microwave now.

Hodofls · 13/04/2026 21:00

catipuss · 13/04/2026 20:46

I throw in a few black bags and put the dirty washing in there and then in the car boot. You surely have to separate the clean from the dirty somehow, whatever age you are.

Taking a full car boot along with you is even more extreme than the big kettle lady.

catipuss · 13/04/2026 20:50

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 20:36

Eating in the middle of the day used to be the norm didn't it ? Maybe early starts and more physical jobs . My gastro guy said it was much better as you have the whole afternoon and evening to digest . Eating late after 7 apparently plays havoc with your sleeping gut .

Not really most men worked early morning to evening with a packed lunch, with a short lunch break when they probably couldn't get home. If you are talking about the wealthy they could and can do what they like.

sunflowersintheday · 13/04/2026 20:48

catipuss · 13/04/2026 20:46

I throw in a few black bags and put the dirty washing in there and then in the car boot. You surely have to separate the clean from the dirty somehow, whatever age you are.

Absolutely! Common sense 😊