"Fit old bird"

[Platedshoes]

How would you respond?

I've posted my running result this morning. I promise I'm not a complete running bore, but this was a long race and a 20 minute personal best, so I was pretty chuffed.

There are lots of lovely comments and one man who said "excellent running, you're a fit old bird". If context is needed, I'm 53, he's 40ish and married.

Now, clearly he thinks he's being funny and/or nice, but I feel I need to say "something".

I know him fairly well IRL, through running. He's nice enough, but I'd say not terribly bright and I doubt he really gets why this might not be funny.

I wouldn't say anything. It was not intended to cause offence

wouldn't bother me at all.
I know several people, male and female, who'd post this on my page if I was a runner!

It's not an eloquent compliment, but from the context it sounds like it was intended as a compliment, and I'd leave it alone in the spirit in which it's intended.

If it's a choice between daft, mostly-harmless comments or correcting people and silencing them, I'd rather have the daft comments.

Nothing wrong with that comment in the context you have told us.

It would grate for me too. What you say in response depends on whether you want to put up with this type of crap for the sake of peace.
I often think there is some sort of equation: self esteem over peace of mind times hassle squared.

If you know him well and know he isn't trying to be offensive I'd let him go.

I personally wouldn't be offended either way and I'm 45.

If I was reading your post and then saw his comment I'd think he was a real patronising twat.

I think if I were you I would probably not say anything but I'd delete his comment.

I'd be happy with that! But to be fair am much more likely to be called a fat old bird

I think really you’ll just come across as humourless.

It's a compliment I think?

Agreed.
And maybe don't post stuff out on the internet whilst simultaneously wanting to control the responses to your liking.

If you know him fairly well and like him, I'd reply something along the lines of oi you less of the old bird you cheeky bugger.

I can never understand why some people
take offence at what is clearly banter between two people who know one another. It's fun. It lightens life up. He's taking the piss - but in a light hearted way 🙄

He's a dick. Understand where you're coming from OP, don't rise to it

This. Laugh it off and move on

I could not get too worked up about it. It may not have been worded well, but on its face seems quite harmless. You were posting for comments, you got them. You are mates, it wasn’t some random internet sleaze bag.

YANBU to speak to him but it depends what you say. Perfectly reasonable to ask him not to mention your age in that way again because its something you feel insecure about. I'm sure he'll be mortified to have upset you.

I'd probably respond "that's fine coming from a wee young whippersnapper, lol" and next time I saw him say with a smile "cheeky monkey, fit old bird indeed"

I don't think he was meaning anything unkind from it - it's just a turn of phrase.

but I feel I need to say "something".

What is it you feel you need to say?

Its clearly meant to be supportive and the vast majority of people would not take offence. Why does someone having a different sense of humour to you make them a dick?

Really? I think it's quite rude. 'banter' is only funny if it comes from a base of reciprocity which I can only assume it doesn't. I haven't been called a bird in about 20 years and I'm not sure why he needs to comment on your age . I'd be inclined to say something like "I realise my speed might be confusing but I didn't fly, I ran"

It was a joke, you know him well in real life, he's not some random bloke! I think your "need" to say something to him will have the effect of him running past you in future, never to speak again. Result! No more banter to have to deal with there! 🙄

I couldn't get het up about this if he isn't usually a dick.
I hate the use of the word bird in most contexts but this was just tongue in cheek.

If a younger guy with a similar age difference -which would be late 20s - called me old I don’t think I’d be offended at being called old, but not keen on the phrase because of the use of the word “bird”. So, I’d probably go for the easy option and delete the comment as I don’t want it under my achievement but equally couldn’t be arsed having it out with him over something like that. Especially as you said he’s not very bright.

That said, if you do feel you want to say something you should.

It wouldn't offend me, I think it's meant to be complimentary in a misguided way.